'Turning Tides' and 'Nests' Art Exhibition
Castle Espie’s Art Gallery, Ireland’s only environmental art space, is hosting an exhibition which will bring Strangford lough to life. ‘Turn Tides and Nests’ is the inspired title of a joint exhibition by artists, Amanda Bradbury and local artist Jennifer Brown, which will take place from Saturday 3rd March 2pm to the 18th March 2012.
The joint event brings two very different mediums and subjects into the frame. Amanda has worked as a professional artist since 1997, but was drawing and observing animals and wild places from a very young age. Amanda is particularly inspired by placing wildlife in their environment and has developed a number of styles ranging from realistic detailed studies to more abstract, inspired by light, colour and form of wild habitats. While working on the interpretative fit out at the new Castle Espie Centre over two years, Strangford Lough could not fail to inspire Amanda and this collection reflects the very essence of this stunning location and the wildlife it supports. This is Amanda’s third exhibition and she has worked on many individually commissioned paintings and illustrations internationally Amanda says, ‘I am looking forward to exhibiting ‘Turning Tides’ for the first time in Northern Ireland. The unique and beautiful landscape and wildlife of Strangford Lough captured my imagination during my time here. WWT
Castle Espie’s stunning views of the Lough makes it the perfect place to show my work’.
Jennifer Brown, a textile artist from Belfast. graduated from the University of Ulster with a BA (Hons) in Fine Craft Design. She creates intricate embroidered pieces of art using hand and machine embroidery. Jennifer highlights, “I love tactile uneven areas and shapes. My love for the work of artists Gustav Klimt and Friederich Hundertwasser is a constant source of inspiration. When starting to make a piece I find it evolves into the shape it becomes through the subconscious imagination and I allow instinct to take over’. Jennifer’s exhibition has been supported by the Arts Council (NI) SIAP Award.
Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open daily from 10am. Access to the car park, visitor centre, shop, Loughshore Café and the Art Gallery is free of charge. The centre is accessible for wheelchairs. Normal admission prices apply to the reserve. For further information on this exhibition, forthcoming events conservation campaigns and closing times please call 028 9187 4146 or visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @wwtcastleespie.
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