Lindsey Selley, left, welcomes Rob Wilson to his exhibition in Jarva Gallery
Bridgemont artist Rob Wilson is becoming more and more well known for his individual ‘mixed media’ pictures. He has recently had a very successful exhibition in Jarva Gallery, Whaley Bridge. “Good turnout, sold a few pictures, I was very pleased” he says.
Over the Jubilee four day holiday in early June, his art will get more exposure at an ‘in house’ exhibition at one of the centres of Derbyshire Open Arts (DARTS). This organisation, for artists, run by artists, provides an annual outlet for every sort of artwork at dozens of centres countywide.
The local centre, where Rob’s and other artists’ work will be displayed is The Old Hall. Long Lee, Rowarth, near New Mills. Postal code to help with sat nav: SK22 1EB.
From 2 June to 5 June, the long bank holiday saluting the Queen’s 60th anniversary as monarch, the public will be able to drop in at Rowarth to see Rob’s work and that of artists Sandra Orme (pastel landscapes), Catriona Hall (primitives), Andrea Joseph (pen illustrations) and Lynne McPeake (photographs).
Rob, 37, combines his art with the day job, running a graphic design company from home in Bridgemont. A Knutsford boy from the Cheshire plain, he met his future wife Sally at Bradford University. She was from Disley, so it was easy to gravitate towards the High Peak hills after they were married. They have three children, aged two to eight.
Many of his striking pictures are of Manchester, where he used to work and admired its mix of modern and traditional. Then there are quite a lot of pictures from St Raphael in the south of France. The family goes there often on ‘painting holidays’ – that is Rob doing the paintings, the kids and mum holidaying under the hot French sun.
At home, the children like to sit alongside dad while he is painting, sometimes trying to paint the same thing. They are fascinated by his use of material such as newspapers, leaflets and advertising which he pastes onto fabric or canvas, then paints, then cuts up to fit into the larger picture. Here and there, the pieces are sewn together by a sewing machine, then pasted onto the picture, providing an interesting extra dimension.
Rob can be contacted on 01663 734 966 or at rob@robwilsonart.co.uk
Derbyshire Open Arts 2012 . In the High Peak area, these centres will be open over the Jubilee weekend:
¨ The Laughing Badger Gallery, 99 Platt St, Padfield, Glossop/07736 175 866
¨ Ghislaine Howard studio gallery, 7 Oak St, Glossop/07969 723 708
¨ The Smithy Studios, 1 Smithy Fold, Glossop/01457 857 200
¨ The Textile House, 8 Stafford St, New Mills/01663 749 741
¨ 67 Mellor Road, New Mills/01663 742 143
¨ Spring Bank Arts Centre, New Mills/07939 518 956
¨ 200B Hayfield Road, Birch Vale/01663 743 489
¨ 20 New Horwich Road, Whaley Bridge/07545 776 690
¨ Moorland, Earl Sterndale, Buxton/01298 833 94
More information from Derbyshire Open Arts on www.derbyshireopenarts,co.uk or phone 07582 354 544