Opening
times: Tue-Fri 12-5pm; Sat & Sun 11am -4pm;
Closed
Monday
In association with Comma
VIEW & DOWNLOAD THE EXHIBITION CATALOGUE HERE
O3 Gallery in association with Comma, presents On These Magic Shores. Featuring the work of a selection of the UK’s leading illustrators, this group exhibition will consider visual language and aesthetic tendencies in contemporary illustration.
On These Magic Shores will delve into the distinctive panoramas and enter the idiosyncratic domains conjured by contemporary illustrators, and explore the shifting uses of line, colour and form at the intersection of traditional draughtsmanship and digital imaging.
At the heart of contemporary illustration is an emphasis on bright colours, strong line and an interest in geometrical patterns. This is very much a reaction against what we normally think of traditional illustration and draughtsmanship; we can see in these works a movement away from techniques such as shading to create volume and depth, and any genuine attempt to represent ‘real’ forms or naturalistic scenes.
Helen Statham, Gallery Director
At the same time, many of these works draw influence from a tradition of folklores and fairy tales; the natural settings and talking animals characteristic of Aesop’s Fables and Grimms’ Tales are here given a contemporary twist. Focusing on and celebrating the playful, imaginative worlds portrayed by these illustrators, the exhibition will explore the witty narratives and contemporary visual twists on traditional folklore imagery found in these works.
On these magic shores children at play are for ever beaching their coracles. We too have been there; we can still hear the sound of the surf, though we shall land no more.
J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan.
Artists include:
Jo Cheung
Jo Cheung is a freelance illustrator currently living and working in London. She has a BA in Illustration from the University of Westminster where she graduated in 2009. Jo has worked for a number of clients including Spindle Magazine, Ballad of Magazine, Paper Circus, Africa Fashion, Vans, MacUser Magazine, Gia London, Amelia’s Magazine, 19-77 Design and Junkie Lovers Boutique and has exhibited at a number of venues across London. Jo enjoys making images of dreamy and imaginary landscapes where she tries to convey her own interpretation of the natural world. She is especially interested in the relationship between humans and animals.
Gemma Correll
Gemma Correll is a cartoonist, writer and illustrator. She went to art school in Norwich where she undertook a BA (hons) degree in Graphic Design specialising in Illustration. Gemma has received several awards including Young Cartoonist of the Year (2012) Runner-Up, ADC Young Guns 8 (2010) Selected and 3×3 Professional Show (2010) Selected. Gemma draws a monthly Skycats cartoon for the Emirates Airlines Open Skies magazine and she has worked for other clients such as Hallmark, The New York Times and The Observer. Gemma’s work has been widely exhibited and published across Europe and USA. Gemma’s distinctive illustrations are on the whole dominated by comical cartoon images of pugs and cats.
Phillip J. Jones
Phillip J. Jones completed his studies in Graphic communication at Bath Spa University, specialising in illustration and print making. He now works as a freelance illustrator in Oxford, and has clients spanning from Bath to London; he also exhibits nationwide. He works in the fields of commercial package design, event promotion, branding design as well as taking independent commissions. Phillip has a keen interest in natural history and the outdoor world and has been taking inspiration from old reference books for his own personal projects. His work, mostly black and white ink drawings, shows a meticulous attention to detail and a light hearted sense of humour.
Isobel Kho
Isobel Kho is a London based illustration graduate with a BA in Illustration from Westminster University. Her work is dominated by detailed black and white screenprinted and digitally printed drawings of animals. Apart from prints, she produces greeting cards, t-shirts, zines and tote bags. Her pigeon image ‘Haters Gonna Hate’ exhibited at the O3 was used to represent the Pop Up Print Shop at 'Smug' in Living Etc Magazine's December 2011 issue.
Patrick Laing
Educated on the last UK 3D course to be based upon the material model of the Bauhaus at the University of Brighton, Patrick Laing has also lectured at Central Saint Martins, Camberwell College of Arts and the Design Museum. Patrick now runs a successful product design studio in central London which is employed in a variety of work in the UK and overseas. His work, which ranges from jewellery, home wares and industrial products to store and exhibition design, shows a fascination with participative design and a light, playful use of materials. His latest series of prints are hand-drawn highly detailed blue and white circular illustrations celebrating the making with bonfires, parties, dancing and picnics.
Anna Lindsten
Anna Lindsten works as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator based in Stockholm. She has good experience in book design and book production but also spends as much time as possible working on her own illustration projects. She has worked mostly with Swedish publishing companies well known in the field of text book publishing for school/education (Liber AB, Natur & Kultur, Bonnier Utbildning), and publishers of non-fiction books (Gothia Förlag, Hallgren & Björklund). Anna is also a member of the Association of Swedish Illustrators and Graphic Designers and Illustratörcentrum. Her work shows an almost child-like playfulness displaying silhouetted figures, plants and woodland animals upon plain backgrounds.
Miguel Mansur
Miguel Mansur is a full-time freelance illustrator based out in a little section of Philadelphia known as Northern Liberties. When Miguel is not working with clients, his illustrations focus on social change and human relationships. His process is a mix of both traditional and digital medium, opting for bold colours and provocative imagery. He uses a plethora of organic paper textures and juxtaposes them with graphic, bold line work and gradient colours. The artwork he produces feels dark yet ethereal, in an other-worldly sort of way. So far he has worked with clients such as Activision and Window Seat and Popular Mechanics Magazine to name a few.
Esther McManus
Esther is a London based illustrator and printmaker who draws comics and handprinted zines. She is also a technician at Print Club London - a screenprinting studio in Dalston, East London. She has recently taken part in a number of illustration projects and art fairs; some of her clients include Ammo Magazine, Conjunction Zine, Nike ID, and Girls Who Draw. Her prints and drawings have a strong sense of narrative, and her stories are inspired by woodlands, folklore, sorcery and the dreamscape.
Jamie Mitchell
Jamie Mitchell studied Architecture at Kingston University, but having always been obsessed with drawing, Jamie soon decided to abandon his initial career choice to become a freelance Illustrator. Jamie now owns and runs the brand Ohh Deer, a curated collective of illustrators producing original illustrated gifts. Jamie is currently working on developing the brand as well as another project which will encompass everything in the ‘design-sphere’ and allow a far larger audience to participate. About his work Jamie says: I have managed to produce something which is typical of my detail level, but remains contemporary and fun. I’ve begun to include pieces of my architectural taste too; considering that’s what I studied, I wanted to ensure I didn’t cast that aside. Instead I find that textures and the ‘feel’ of something can come from architectural values.
Julia Pott
Julia is a British animator and illustrator living in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from Kingston University with First Class Honours in 2007 and graduated from an MA in animation from the Royal College of Art in 2011. Julia has received a plethora of awards; she was named one of the 25 new faces of independent film by Filmmaker Magazine 2012, as well as one of the 37 indie film breakouts of 2012 by Indiewire. She is an ADC young gun x 2012 and a blogger for the Huffington Post. Some of her other clients include Channel 4, Chronicle Books, MTV, Tate Modern, Toyota, Urban Outfitters and V&A. Her animation “The Event”, which is exhibited as part of 'On These Magic Shores', was part of the Official Selection of Sundance Film Festival 2013.
Sarah Ray
Sarah Ray spent 3 years at the Cambridge School of Art completing a degree in Illustration before joining the world of professional illustration. Originally from the depths of Herefordshire, Sarah is now based in the Midlands as a well established illustrator and designer. Sarah works with both pencil/pen and screen printing techniques to achieve her quirky unique style. She finds inspiration in everyday life and animal/human idiosyncrasies. Human behaviour and the spoken word are two of her favourite subjects. She has been commissioned by a range of clients covering publishing, design/advertising and editorial. She also has a strong range of illustrative products including greeting's cards, screen prints and other gift items which she sells across the UK and Ireland. She also regularly exhibits with other illustrators, sells her work at art fairs and teaches screenprinting. She was recently awarded the Best new Product Stationery & Greetings Top Drawer Awards 2013.
Rachel Russell
Rachel Russell, also known by her brand name HelloWilson, is a creative graphic designer from Yorkshire, currently based in East Dulwich, South East London. Having done a first degree in English Literature at Oxford University and escaped a career in publishing she returned to her first love of designing things and graduated from Kingston University in Communication Design. Apart from illustrations, Rachel designs her own range of wedding stationary as well as creating logos, branding, advert design, web design, posters, business cards, letterheads and postcards. Her illustrations are heavily patterned and are inspired for the most part by nature, particularly sea creatures, such as the reoccurring octopus.
Kris Tate
Kris Tate is a freelance illustrator who lives in a world of geometrical colour with creatures of the forest. She has always loved animals and identifies a lot with them; Fawns, Cats, Wolves, Bears, Foxes and Owls form her main source of inspiration. She was born in the city of Guatemala where her native culture inspired her to start creating art. Studying Art and Graphic Design in Guatemala, she moved to the UK which is where she is now working. Her Style is bright, with bold colours and gestures with references back to the 80's and 90's. Her work has been featured by Urban Outfitters, Wall Art Gallery, Modernaked, Blood is the New Black, East End Prints and of course Ohh Deer. When looking for inspiration she looks at pictures of her life, portraits, animals, feelings, emotions and history in the places she has lived.
Yee Ting
Yee Ting graduated with a First Class Honours from the BA (Hons) Illustration course at Falmouth College of Arts in 2006 and has been working freelance ever since on a broad range of projects. Her clients include the likes of Guardian Weekend Magazine, Reed Learning, Magic Postcard Book (Girls Who Draw) and Obsession/Allsorts Zine (Love To Print) amongst others. Yee has also exhibited her work across the UK. Her designs are influenced by pattern, texture, bright, bold colours, typography and different printmaking techniques.
Michelle Turton
Michelle graduated with a BA Honours degree in illustration from Falmouth College of Arts in 2005. She then went on to work in the creative department at print based creative agency Promedia in Gran Canarias. Michelle currently resides in the UK and works at a creative agency in the centre of Birmingham. She is co-founder of Inkygoodness - showcasing the work of emerging creative talent and exhibiting in Berlin, Antwerp, London, Bristol and Birmingham. Michelle’s style mixes hand drawn imagery with photoshop to create multi layered illustrations, often focusing on women and nature. Recent projects include designing a deck for The Decked Project, and a postcard project with Girls Who Draw. She has exhibited work across the U.K. and Spain, and is currently developing artwork for Wonderland.
Victoria Whincup
Victoria Whincup graduated from the Cambridge School of Art in 2009 with a First Class Honours degree in Illustration and has since been working successfully as a freelance illustrator based in Hull. Victoria loves to draw the world around her and is particularly inspired by the shapes of houses, stories, peculiar faces, flowers, trees, birds and animal costumes. At the moment she is exploring the combination of sewing and painting, connecting people to animals and nature. Victoria runs her own art and stationery studio where she creates personalised wedding stationery, paper goods, prints and greetings cards.
Asa Wikman
Asa Wikman is a multi-disciplinary Swedish Designer and Illustrator who works and lives in London. She graduated from a BA HONS Computer Visualization and Animation degree from Ravensbourne College of Communication (Chislehurst, Kent) in 2008 as well as undertaking a FdA Illustration at Camberwell College of Arts in London (2010). She works with hand drawn and digital illustration on projects ranging from illustration for print, apparel and products to murals, shop window displays, packaging, editorials and children's books. Humour and imagination is very important in her work and she likes to create unique work with a quirky and humorous twist. Asa has worked with clients such as Diesel, Amelia's Magazine, OHH DEER and Monkey Kingdom Productions amongst others, and has had a number of exhibitions mainly in the UK.
Comma is a family-run, independent gift shop located in East Oxford (just a stone’s throw from the city centre). There’s a heavy focus on illustration and bright colours; you can peruse books, cards, stationery, tea towels (Comma also functions as the headquarters of ToDryFor.com), cushions, vintage nick-nacks, and homewares, all in a friendly atmosphere with good music playing in the background. Brands/artists include Donna Wilson, Cambridge Satchels, Lisa Jones Studio, ToDryFor, Mini Moderns, Rob Ryan, and Gemma Correll, to name but a few. Comma also stocks work by individual up-and-coming artists; many items are either handmade or produced in small, limited edition quantities. If you can’t find the perfect gift for your nan, we guarantee you will ‘accidently’ find something for yourself... oops! For more information and how to find us, visit: www.oxfordcomma.co.uk.
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O3 Gallery's upper retail space
Exhibition open: 04.05.13 – 02.06.13
Having studied history of art at the Courtauld Institute of Art, Caroline worked for many years as a picture researcher for leading art publishers. She started painting relatively recently, and graduated in 2003 from BCUC ( Bucks Chilterns University College) with a First Class Fine Art degree. Caroline’s paintings evoke a sense of space and light. She works in both oils and acrylics, using layers of paints to create transparency and depth, exploring the infinite possibilities of paint, how it is moulded, sensed and manipulated. Colour plays an important part, soft and subtle. The starting point is mostly from the landscape, particularly landscapes that are familiar to her, mapping a path that is both internal and external.
04.05.13 – 02.06.13
Providing a glimpse into the County’s up-and-coming artistic talent, students from across Oxfordshire exhibit their artwork in venues across Oxford Castle Quarter.
Juliet Bankes - The Big Bang Restaurant
Juliet Bankes, a final year Graphic Design and Illustration student at De Monfort University explores different types of making, printmaking and illustration. Collecting and manipulating a range of everyday domestic objects, Juliet has the ability to subvert and transform the mundane into something fascinating. Her approach to these ordinary objects generates new items that challenge the routine of everyday life.
Hannah Fletcher - Malmaison Hotel, Visitor's Room
Hannah Fletcher is currently studying A Level Photography at d’Overbroeck’s College in Oxford, with the hope of developing her talent at degree level and eventually entering a profession within the photographic and creative industry. Hannah is passionate about her photography, with her constant exploration of new ideas and techniques allowing her to produce a range of stunning images.
Lauren-Amira Hasoon - The Living Room Restaurant
Lauren-Amira Hasoon is a Fine Art student at Oxford Brookes University. Finding inspiration within the city, Lauren-Amira’s illustrations take on the role of depicting the pace of city life. The bustling, but beautiful, city of Oxford plays a particularly influential role in her work, acting as a wonderful specimen for her portrayal of city life. Through a combination of fleeting imagery, negative space and bold lines, Lauren-Amira’s drawings have the ability to capture the evanescent quality associated with the city.
Hester Kessling - Cafe 1071, Oxford Castle Unlocked
Hester Kessling, an A Level student at The Downs School in Compton, approaches her work meticulously, making use of homemade compasses and drawing devices to produce images of great detail. Hester replicates this approach even in her more thought provoking images, contrasting the examination of the interior psyche against the simplicity of overlying bold lines.
Jack Oliver - The Big Bang Restaurant
Jack Oliver is an A Level Photography student at Wheatley Park School. His images are formed by using miniature figures situated in real life locations, creating a range of minuscule worlds for the audience to explore. Jack states that his photographs were inspired by the street-based artist and photographer Slinkachu.
Michael Ruiz - The Big Bang Restaurant
Michael Ruiz, an A Level Photography student at Wheatley Park Sixth Form College, places a heavy emphasis upon the theme of nature within his work. Through his exploration of a range of elements associated with the natural world, Michael attempts to encourage an emotional connection between his subject and his audience.
Emma Stevenson - La Tasca Restaurant
Emma Stevenson, an Art and Design student at Wheatley Park School, strives to find beauty in the ordinary. Through a combination of bold block colours and exciting lines, Emma is able to manipulate otherwise mundane still life objects into a creative exploration of the everyday.
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