Salima Beal

As a practicing and studying artist Salima's work has shifting styles and is open to influence from many sources. In this collection she based her research around boundaries, restriction and chance. In contrast to this Salima explains that the "pieces turned out to have an expressively light and airy feel to them". In the exhibition Salima has translated some of her favourite ideas mainly into smaller scale textile and mixed media pieces, using various fabric bases and pastes to build up the surface along with different drawing and painting media.

Rebecca Fitton; Age Before Beauty

21st Feb - 15th March 2009
Artist Rebecca Fitton has produced a series of work which deals with the lives of people who suffer with dementia. Rebecca is an award winning artist who has enjoyed numerous solo exhibitions. This series of paintings invites you to look past the mundane and stereotype and explore the emotion and depth of the work.

Stephen Bell: Art for the Credit Crunch

10th January - 1st February
Artist Stephen Bell has produced a series of abstract paintings focusing on the exploration of colour using acrylic paint. He has used the current economic instability as a source of inspiration for his latest project. Reflecting on the sometimes rediculous price we put onto luxury items which is so out of touch with the life of the majority who struggle under the increasingly difficult financial climate. Artist Bell states "I'm deeply interested in people and the whole of my works are about people for people".

'THE HISTORY OF THE FUTURE HAS BEEN WRITTEN'

8th November - 14th December 2008

Artist Fiona Shaw is to produce an installation. The work takes the premise of the remains of a mysterious act of destruction having taken place in the gallery. Fiona States

"The aim is to create a transformative experiential space, allowing for an intriguing and unsettling encounter with the work and the enviroment of the gallery."

The installation will take the form of a 'snapshot' of the moment of impact and the ensuing scattering of various objects in the wake of the destruction. Therefore, a distinct feature of the piece will be the arrangement of objects in unlikely and unexpectedly balanced positions, awkward and elegant, apparently gravity-defying, with an eerie sense of 'magic'. 

Rising Tide

4th October - 2nd November  2008

Artist Cathy Kelly has produced a series of paintings depicting beautiful women, decoration and panic. Cathy kelly tells the curator David Parkinson "I enjoy creating a sense of tension between the appearance, adverse weather conditions and held poses".

Carolyn Sillis: On A Plate

30th Aug - 28th Sept

The artist Carolyn Sillis has completed a series of work based on how women use their own sexuality to get what they want or manipulate their partner in emotional blackmail. Carolyn states
" My intentions have been to create the seedier and darker side of sex in a visual language . The carving I have done represents a plate and the self loathing some women experience through sex."

David Parkinson: Secrets

June14th - July20th

The artist David Parkinson gathers information through questionnaires and written statements to investigate facets of people's identities and personality. He then combines the information gathered with his creativity to represent the intangible through a visual language.

The body of work currently being exhibited Secrets is an attempt to look at the darker side of human nature. David Parkinson states "I wanted to look at people's darker sides of their personality and decided the best way would be to collect people's secrets and try and interpret onto canvass their attempts to cover up and hide them from over people."

This work combines a number of techniques and methods in painting to achieve the idea behind the concept, the result is a very contemporary and raw body of work.

Dr. Adolf Steg: Painting by Numbness

02 Dec 2007 – 05 Jan 2008

An exhibition of unconventional illustrations exposing a strange and made up world.

This exhibition of works by local artist, show a representative selection of the shifting styles he uses to depict the made up world and it’s unusual characters. Dr. Steg has prolifically produced comics, drawings, reliefs and other objects for many years. Talking about the aim of his art, Dr. Steg tells Curator Kerry Hunt, ‘The World of Dr. Adolf Steg is the constant pursuit of pointlessness, spontaneity, stupidity, idiocy, literature, art and laughter all mixed together.’

You are invited to join us at the private view being held between 1pm-2pm Sunday the 2nd of December.

Luke Pattinson

07 Oct – 24 Nov 2007

A photography exhibition of atmospheric landscapes and objects with a ghostly edge. Amongst these extraordinarily dramatic photographic scenes, by emerging artist Luke Pattinson, we view the forgotten landscapes of Norway revealed through full darkness. Luke is based in Newcastle and exhibits all over the UK, so it is a pleasure to invite him back to his home town to exhibit these special photographs.
Let us know what you think. There is a comments book in the gallery or post a comment on the blog.

We hope to see you at the opening on Sunday the 7th of October from 1pm -2pm.

Rebecca Chesney: Low High Low

08 – 29 September

Nationally and internationally celebrated artist Rebecca Chesney, brings a serene exhibition of photography to the Kiln House Gallery this September.

Rebecca, who has recently exhibited at the Lowry and the Bolton Museum, has patiently stalked the tides of Skip pool Creek with her camera.

This tranquil exhibition explores time and nature in four minute intervals, allowing you to pass away the time.
All exhibitions are admission free and works are for sale. The Kiln House Gallery (Marsh Mill, Thornton) is open Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays from 11am to 3pm.

Stephen Oldfield

Come and see Stephen's oil paintings for yourself and let us know what you think.

Stephen Oldfield

Exhibition 5 - 26 August 2007

This one-man show of paintings by artist, Stephen Oldfield, offers a clear-cut peek at life.

Hanging in the Kiln House Gallery this month is a series of small oil paintings. Stephen describes familiar daily scenes with a humorous edge and depicts his self portraits with a sense of liberation and vulnerability.

Stephen is an uncomplicated artist with a straightforward outlook on our world, which emerges in his paintings.

Harold Bird: Forest

Exhibition 8 - 29 July 2007

This solo show by local artist, Harold Bird, presents a series of whimsical forest paintings. These unusual paintings of twirly trees and dark woods have a mysterious edge.

Harold intuitively paints the organic forms of trees and plants from Lancashire and Yorkshire landscapes, describing the motives for his paintings as being ‘the constantly changing weather and light, the moodiness and sheer power of the landscape and features within it are a constant mystery and joy to me.’

Adrian Pritchard: Osmosis

Exhibition 03 – 30 June 2007

This exhibition of new paintings by emerging artist Adrian Pritchard is a fusion of science and visual exploration in paint.

Pritchard, who has exhibited nationally and internationally including Japan and Germany, brings a series of new gloss drip technique paintings to the Kiln House Gallery, Thornton.

These paintings have an appealing fluid texture, and through intuitively mixing various types of paint he creates a crucial tension on the surface which suggests an ‘inner life force’ or organic presence.

Working with techniques parallel to that of a scientific experiment, Prichard explains ‘I make work that attempts to redefine our relationship with matter by using gravity, the very force that universally dictates form.’

Your last chance to see 'I wanna know what love is'

This is the last weekend and bank holiday monday that you can visit the Tom Ireland exhibition. We would love to know what you think! Post a comment on the blog or sign the visitors book in the gallery.

I wanna know what love is

Exhibition 06 - 27 May 2007

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Emerging artist, Tom Ireland, exhibits a solo show of contemporary installation at The Kiln House Gallery. ‘I wanna know what love is’ rummages around ideas of love and loss and considers issues of cultural waste and memory.

Tom Ireland’s art blends handmade objects with handpicked objects from the real world. This union of ‘stuff and things’ generates a tussle between our society’s loved and unloved objects. These unusual installations create an unexpected dialogue between the art work and the viewer. This exhibition is full of playful nostalgia and a treat for all visitors.

Photograph by Tom Ireland 'On the Margin of the River'.

We Shall Pour Forth

Here's what is on in The Kiln House Gallery this April.

Come and see the rest!

Top: Claire Murray 'Untitled' Photograph

Bottom: Suzanne Carlyle and Shaun Kennion
'The Corner Stone' Photograph

We Shall Pour Forth

Exhibition 01 - 28 April 2007

‘We shall pour forth’ is the second exhibition to be appearing in The Kiln House Gallery. A group of eight photographers from the North West have dismantled and re-assembled the society we may or may not know.

They have probed poetically into our human traits, uncertainties, tendencies, relationships and living spaces. This collection of photographs delve into our culture and flash a spotlight on the greyest areas of identity.

Each photographer has focused on separate issues generating an intriguing observation of our society. Collaborative artists Shaun Kennion and Suzanne Carlyle have produced a site specific performance piece called ‘The Corner Stone’. Suzanne and Shaun explain the issue behind their work, ‘most of us, in relationships, are more adept at hiding than we are at seeking . . . we are challenged to be open.’

‘We shall pour forth’ is a truly curious combination of imagery waiting for you to discover it.

All exhibitions are admission free and works are for sale. The Kiln House Gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Photograph above: Susan Campbell 2007

Gazette article March 07, 2007

Gallery's opening buzz at windmill

Thornton has put itself on the art map by the opening of a new gallery. The White & Black Show is the first exhibtion at The Kiln House Gallery at Marsh Mill.

It features black and white paintings and drawings by seven local artists, which rediscover familiar landscapes and architecture from the area and created an escited buzz around Thornton's Windmill.

Kerry Hunt, the gallery's curator, said: "I am thrilled to launch this exciting new space with a glorious mixture of contemporary and traditional works from a group of local artists.

"This gallery is aimed at enhancing the art community in the North West and I am looking forward to a thrilling and stimulating programme of events, workshops and exhibitions throughout 2007."

The White & Black Show is open until March 25.

All exhibitions are admission free and works are for sale.

Picture: Ian Lamond (Wyre Borough Council) Kerry Hunt (Kiln House Curator)

The White & Black Show - Preview

Kenneth Roberts

Morning sunrise on North Pier, Blackpool

Oil on Canvas

Early evening at Lytham Windmill

Oil on canvas

Ken's website: www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/artides/2007/02/21/artists_ken_roberts_feature.shtml