Jilly Vainer shortlisted for Wildlife Artist of the Year 2017

We're delighted that Jilly Vainer, of studio 514, has been shortlisted for Wildlife Artist of the Year 2017. The exhibition will take place at the Mall Galleries from 27th June - 1st July. 

Jilly Vainer's macaque 'Snow Monkey' will be exhibited at the Mall Galleries as part of the Wildlife Artist of the Year 2017 exhibition

We caught up with Jilly in the lead up to the Open Studios in May.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Jilly...

I am an upcoming artist specialising in wildlife/animal Sculptures, well known for my Dog/Horse portrait's and sculptures of endangered species. 

Where can we see your work?

The private members club “Leander” at Henley Regatta, has a permanent fixture of one of my Hippopotamus sculptures, as this is their mascot for the club.

Anything we should look forward to for the May Open Studios?

My latest collection captures the movement of migrating swallows, these are wall installations for indoors and outdoors and at the moment I am also working on a Spatuletail Humming bird.

What's your career highlight so far?

I was very happy to have one of my sculptures chosen by the “society of wildlife”, my hibernating Dormouse was exhibited at the “mallgalleries” in London SW1.

How has Wimbledon Art Studios helped your career?

WAS has offered me over the last 9 years a great platform and opportunity to show my work to the public at their twice-yearly exhibitions. Slowly this has turned a lifetime hobby in to a more commercial venture. The studios also offer a great sense of community and support this is very welcoming when you are starting any new venture.

Find out more about Jilly Vainer's work at jillyvainer.co.uk 

Vaughn Horsman, the man behind the machine

How would you describe yourself and your work?

I consider myself an upcoming old guy. My art has been a very slow expression of crazy ideas which I dreamed about 20 years ago. Over time they have become more structured, more refined and more real. Most of them feel like being trapped inside an old science fiction movie… Which is a lot like normal life these days. I try to find humour and beauty in the experience.

I studied architecture rather than fine art. My paintings use architecture to make art these days.

Tell us about your practice...

I make art using computer code, machines and paint brushes. The mixture of media lets me say something about the present. Some people feel the beauty in the pieces. Most don’t. A good deal of visitors have to walk past my door a good few times before crossing the threshold. I guess you could accuse my work of being an acquired taste. Difficult to digest.

What can we look forward to at the show? Anything new for 2017?

In previous shows I have displayed a lot of small scale prototypes and models. Now that I’ve figured out how to actually make them, I’m going to be showing bold, large scale reliefs. I find that bigger is always better with art. Simple ideas don’t have presence until you have to stand back and look up at them.

Where can we see your work at the moment?

I have two pieces in the national museum of Wales digital collection. I currently have work on show at Tower 42 in the city. Gallery Nummer 40 in the Netherlands will be showing a range of “Masterplan” paintings at various UK and European art fairs through the year.

Have you received any awards?

None. I’m not happy about this. People tell me I should enter competitions.

What do you enjoy about being at WAS?

WAS is a relaxed creative space filled with hundreds of very interesting artists. It’s my happy place. Unlike other studios, WAS lets me run a studio with industrial CNC machinery and power tools. They open 24 hours, so I can work till 3am.

For more information on Vaughn and his work visit thoughtform.co.uk