Graham Bannister
Painting - Photography - Installation
Anna Gillespie
Sculpture
Helene Nue
Etchings
Workshop: Fri 3 November, 10am - 1pm, £35 per person, materials provided. Please call 01534 739900 to reserve and pay for your space.
Demonstrations: Sat 4 November, 11am - 4pm
Gallery Talks: Weds 8 & Fri 10, 1pm
Guest Artist: Jasmine Bannister (photography), Sylvie Cambet (Piano recital), Nadine Dupeux (Contemporary Basketry), Jean Pierre Mousquey (Sculpture)
Autumn Trees For Life Newsletter: http://jerseytreesforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Autumn-Newsletter-2017-8-PAGE.pdf
A major exhibition celebrating the magnificence and importance of trees will be filling the entire gallery throughout November. CCA Galleries International have been working with lead artist Graham Bannister, Trees for Life, National Trust for Jersey and Intertrust in order to create this relevant and wonderful exhibition.
Graham Bannister has exhibited extensively Internationally, however, an enduring love of the Jersey landscape began over 25 years ago with the Jersey coastline collection of paintings. More recent Jersey commissions can be seen at Oyster Box, Rathbones House and 44 The Esplanade. This exhibition is the culmination of 18 months working alongside Trees for Life and National Trust for Jersey to record some of Jersey’s most iconic trees. As Graham explains, ‘the exhibition shows a love of trees and celebrates the life they give. It also informs of their importance and history in relation to man and his environment’.
Anna Gillespie is known for her figurative sculptures using found organic tree material, such as acorn cups, leaves and twigs. ‘Whilst collecting acorns or beech nut casings under the trees each autumn I find myself musing on the poetic and real fact that, just like the objects I am collecting, we humans too are each so alike and yet each unique. That nature produces so many of these tiny objects from just one tree, and likewise there are so many of us, is not a co-incidence… we are simply one of the many living things that nature has produced. This connection might lead us to a more humble assessment of our place on this Earth.’ She believes that this figurative work may also help to connect us more deeply with the body of the planet we inhabit.
Anna studied Philosophy, Politics & Economics at Oxford. After further training in Stone Masonry and Carving, she worked as studio assistant to sculptor, Nigel Konstam at Centro d'Arte, Verrocchio and then an MA in Fine and Media Arts. She has exhibited at the National Trust Headquarters in Swindon, Glastonbury Festival and RHS Chelsea Flower Show and has work in collections worldwide, including Burghley House Sculpture Park, The Somerset Museum and Museo Arte Contemporanea Sicilia.
Helen Nue is known as an etcher of exceptional quality. All of her work is made in her studio in the Loire - Atlantique, France. Her work depicts the hidden life of the forest - the life we do not always see when walking in the wood. Helen believes that the concentration and slow process involved in using a chisel encourages reflection and the representation of nature and poetry to evolve freely. She is well known in France for her illustration work and collaborations with writers. She has exhibited extensively at Biennales and exhibitions throughout France.
Sasha Gibb, Gallery Director says “I am delighted to be exhibiting the work of 3 such exceptional International artists in Jersey. I have always been passionate about the need for a more widespread understanding of the value of trees in Jersey and a greater respect for our mature trees. I am glad that the gallery is going to be at the heart of such an important exhibition for the island. The more organisations and individuals I speak to, it is clear that there is a swell of support for the work and it’s motivation’.
The exhibition also includes work by guest artists Jasmine Bannister (photography), Jean-Pierre Mousquey (wire sculpture) and Nadine Dupeux (contemporary basketry), as well as a workshop and demonstration by Graham Bannister and Sylvie Cambet. On Friday 3 November 10.00 – 1.00 they will be running a Natural Printing Workshop at the gallery. All materials to make your own art work using this wonderful technique will be supplied, places are limited and cost £35. Email enquiries@ccagalleriesinternational.com to book a place. Trees for Life and CCA Galleries International will be holding an open day at the gallery at 10 Hill Street on Saturday 4 November, 11.00 – 4.00, where Graham and Sylvie will be holding a further demonstration of this fascinating printing technique 11.30 – 1.00 and Anna Gillespie will be on hand to discuss her work until 12.00. For a schedule of walks, demonstrations and workshops, please visit ccagalleriesinternational.com.
Conrad Evans, resident arboriculturalist at Trees for Life comments: "Graham's subject matter is clearly close to our hearts, those of our members' and everyone who appreciates trees. He uses a number of media in his work which makes it very exciting. It was a pleasure to be involved from the outset and I can't wait to see the finished pieces, as well as people's reactions to them."
Simon Mackenzie, Managing Director of Intertrust in Jersey, said "Intertrust is delighted to support this exhibition which showcases the splendour and significance of trees. We’re proud to have lead artist Graham Bannister's and International artist, Anna Gillespie's commissions on display at 44 Esplanade, and are looking forward to viewing their new pieces along with the other artists' work. We would like to wish everyone involved a successful exhibition.”
By CCAI on 29/10/2017