Latest Art

Yep! In Brighton! Well, almost. On the fringes, where all the best things usually take place. The new Bankside (whisper it!) is Portslade. Uh-huh yeah. Why? Well, not simply is it on the waterfront, an industrial, still operational harbour with very mysterious to-ings and fro-ings day and night, but artists and gallerists are now beginning to realise the very creative opportunities that the brilliantly outlandish environment presents for the visual opportunist.

This Friday night you can see what I mean for yourself. For there’s a fab new art space, Unit 03 Gallery, opening its doors for the very first time… And yes, I can exclusively reveal (having been privileged enough to gain a sneak preview) that the space is stunning; and in my humble opinion represents one of the most promising and downright sexy galleries to grace the south coast. Unit 03 gallerist and artist, Barry Surtees, came on to the Latest Art show on Radio Reverb yesterday (did you miss it? No worries; you’ll be able to listen to it again soon here on this website as a podcast).

Barry spoke about his transition from working in the construction industry to creating constructivist works from building materials found in the average skip - plaster, lead, steel, rusty cogs… which are then placed in relief on brightly painted, primary canvases or monochromes which explore the tension between light and shade. These are great big works which make an immediate and powerful impact and will be on display in Unit 03 Gallery for the inaugural exhibition.

Come along on Friday 27th April between 6 - 9pm - the doors are open to all and the wine will be flowing freely…

And Blank Studios, a new space housing 23 artists’ studios, is opening up on the same night just 100 yards away, making Portslade the must-visit portal to the arts this weekend!

If you can’t make it along to the private view, don’t panic. Unit 03 Gallery will be open every weekend during the Brighton Festival as part of the Artists’ Open Houses trail, so there’s really no excuse not to check out the newest and most exciting addition to the local art scene, which is finally putting Brighton arts on the map!

Okay, let’s keep it brief:

On today’s show, we’ve got the lovely Tim, who has recently set up the Fairtrade Gallery in Kemp Town, Brighton, spilling the beans on how gallerists can do things differently to make things fairer for artists.

And also, artist Philippa Stanton, who will be giving us a preview of her forthcoming show at the Theatre Royal in Brighton, Persona, which opens next Monday, a collaboration between herself and the photographer, Cambridge Jones…

Keep yer ears open!

Issue five of Latest Art may now be in the bag, all 72 bumper pages of it; but the work continues apace. It is in line with such fantastic news that I am pleased to announce our need for a new intern.

I very much need someone with experience of Excel or Access and the ability to work independently on building a database in the first instance. If you can offer your time, voluntarily, to work on one of the most exciting, rapidly growing and successful local magazines, please get in touch with a brief CV and covering letter or phone directly to discuss the role further.

This is an excellent opportunity for somebody seeking experience in journalism or a person who would like to work in a busy office environment and enhance their employment opportunities.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Well, hell. I’ve managed to earmark a couple of minutes to do my duty and let you know about this afternoon’s Radio Reverb show.

Remember? 4 - 6 pm innit.

Today’s special guests are the artist Cameron Ross, whose paintings of the War on Terror have proved highly controversial, and who (you may remember) was one of the featured interviewees in the last issue of Latest Art. He’s coming on to discuss a forthcoming show he’s curating in London soon, which looks equally set to cause a stir. Be amongst the first to hear all about it on today’s show.

We’ll also be talking to photographer Tom Wichelow, whose show ‘Learning to Look’ opens this Friday in the University of Brighton foyer. Having been teaching medical students over the past six weeks, Tom has curated a series of photographs which will be on display until the 27th of April.
Turn on, tune in pop-pickers!

And in the meantime, keep me posted on all your art antics, I love to hear your news.

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So here it is…

And if you’re still one of those few who remain unfamiliar with Miss Aniela’s photographic Wonderland, then check out her website.

See? I do my best to keep you happy.

Oh cool. Latest Art is truly out there breaking waves. You betcha. Radio waves that is.

Yep; we’ve joined forces with hip new radio station Radio Reverb to bring Latest Art off the page and into your life.

We’ve grabbed the prime drivetime show every Tuesday from 4pm – 6pm so make sure you tune in every week to hear interviews with Latest artists, debates, exhibition previews and reviews, plus all the hottest goss on the behind the scenes world of Latest Art! (And believe me, it’s colourful…)
Oh, by the way, Radio Reverb can be found on 97.2 FM… so you’ve no excuse not to tune in, eh?

If I’m organised, I’ll try to reveal the guests of upcoming shows so you’re in the know. Remind me if I forget. I’m really busy, you know.
The first show aired yesterday, with interviews with the soon-to-be-famous photographer, Miss Aniela talking about launching her career courtesy of photo file-sharing site flickr and Fringe City organiser and former record label owner, Paula Greenwood, spilling ze beans on the upcoming street action planned by Brighton Festival Fringe.

As a special treat, I’ve organised it so that you can hear the interview with Miss Aniela online as an exclusive Latest Art podcast. In future, I’m hoping that we’ll be able to post up all the shows here for you to listen to so that we all feel part of one oh so special Latest Art bubble. Cocooned in beauty, safe from the beasts.

If you want to join in, have something to say, a show to reveal, a gig to sing about or a painting that makes you dream, then drop me a line or ring my bell and you might just find yourself in front of the mic! Simple, innit?

Hear you next Tuesday then, Latest Art lovers!