Arc. Arts for Recovery in the Community

Exhibitions & Events

The Arc Community Gallery Presents

From the City to the Sea - Paintings by Paul Brotherton

Freelance Associate Artist with Arc

Monday 19th July – Friday 10th Sept

This summer Arc (Arts for Recovery in the Community) is proud to present an exhibition of work by the Cheshire-based artist Paul Brotherton.

Since his first solo show in 2001 he has exhibited 3 times at the Blyth Gallery in Manchester, twice at the Lennox Gallery and once at the Chelsea Gallery (both in London), and many times in group and mixed exhibitions including the Turnpike in Leigh. He was invited in 2006 and 2007 to show work in the Henry Moore Galleries at the RCA (Royal College of Art) and in 2008 had a major exhibition entitled ‘Calm & Chaos: A Fusion’ at the Castle Park Arts Centre in Cheshire.

Vibrant and expressive, Paul's work traverses boundaries between figurative, abstract and semi abstract, working as he does both from his own imagination and from prepared sketches and photographs.

“I’m passionately a landscape painter, using a colourist palette - often using unrealistic colours to depict landscape, which naturally progresses to full abstraction at times. My work goes in cycles… a continual journey involving a stream of consciousness – towards the abstract and then back to figurative work.“

Arc (www.artsforrecovery.com) is an organisation which focuses on the positive link between creativity and mental health, running participatory activities in it’s Reddish-based studios and all over Stockport, undertaking commissions and partnerships with the health services and education, and with a Gallery which holds regular exhibitions which support it’s philosophy. Arc is delighted to present this exhibition as Paul has been part of our organisation for many years, joining as a voluntary arts-worker.

“When I first came across Arc, I’d already had a couple of solo shows and I was searching for something, perhaps aware that a career that involved collaboration interested me. I got in contact and volunteered for a while. It sparked something and inspired me to retrain. I got my teaching qualification, even doing my teaching practise here. And it led to becoming a paid associate artist. I went on to MA studies in London and returned to Arc last year to teach a series of painting projects which demonstrate techniques used by many well-known painters.”

Over the years demonstrating and teaching has influenced the way Paul paints. “It’s become part of my own learning.”

“For me the key to releasing creativity is the facilitation. It’s like having a series of keys which unlock certain doors, to allow a creative process to happen. It’s the philosophy that Arc has had from the start – and it really suits my teaching style. And I’ve found that in the process of teaching others I’ve learned how to release some of the creativity I was trying to achieve in myself.”

Paul now teaches in many contexts and regularly delivers lectures and demonstrations across the North West.

In an environment such as Arc, focussed on recovery, learning, exploration and discovery, Paul’s approach of letting the art work therapeutically works well. Spending half his life as a painter who frequently exhibits and the other half as a freelance facilitator and teacher, Paul appreciates that he too is still learning.

The artist, as teacher and learner – these elements combine to make the whole Paul Brotherton. “And in an age where so much of our lives is compartmentalised, this is one of the few fields left where there is genuine collaboration. We know that where there’s no creativity allowed in life there can be problems, it can be really destructive. Which is why the arts is such an important process for recovery.”

From the City to the Sea – Paintings by Paul Brotherton previews 4 – 7.30pm on Friday 16th July and the exhibition is open to the public from Monday 19th July – Friday 10th Sept.

The Arc Community Gallery (Vauxhall Industrial Estate, Greg St, Reddish) also features a selection of contemporary arts and crafts for sale at affordable prices including jewellery, textiles, photography, postcards and prints. This work is produced by artists from the Arc community.

NEW EXHIBITION PROGRAMME July - Dec 2010

19th July - 10th Sept. From the City to the Sea - Paintings by Paul Brotherton. Figurative, semi abstract and abstract work from this colourist-inspired artist and teacher

4th Oct - 31st Oct. The Poet-Tree Forest at Vernon Park Museum, Turncroft Lane. A forest of artwork created by schools, colleges, artists and community groups. Please phone 0161 474 4460 for opening times.

13th Oct - 10th Nov. Creative Spaces. A collection of distinct exhibition spaces within one gallery, and ther launch of the Arc Artists' directory

27th Nov - 22nd Dec. Art Bazaar. Fine art, textiles, jewellery, cards and prints. Unique and original gifts, affordably priced

The Arc Community Gallery also features a selection of contemporary arts and crafts for sale at affordable prices including jewellery, textiles, photography, postcards and prints. The work is produced by artists from the Arc community – artist members and volunteers as well as those who have worked with us in the past.

The Arc Community Gallery is open 10am – 4pm Monday – Friday, and Saturdays by arrangement. It is located in the Vauxhall Industrial Estate on Greg St in Reddish, Stockport. The gallery has full disabled access and groups are welcome. To find out more, phone Arc on 0161 480 7731.

If you would like more information or to be involved in our gallery please contact Jacqui Wood or e-mail gallery@artsforrecovery.com.