Friday 12th April – Sunday 2nd June

Paul Stockley
Spirits of the Wild

In this exhibition Paul Stockley explores the human race’s complex and often destructive relationship with wild animals; it speaks about our care but also of our disregard for our fellow creatures.

His sculptures exude an aura of calm, beauty and serenity but at the same time there is often a sadness in the faces which reflects a tenuous existence and which resonates with an uncertain future.

Spirits of the wild will be exhibited in the beautiful outdoors of South Square Garden plus the Court Yard.

This exhibition is Paul’s first solo gallery exhibition and follows on from a successful joint exhibition in Sheffield in November 2023. For the past three years he has had annual exhibitions in his garden studio as part of ‘Open Up Sheffield’ and will be taking part again in May 2024.

Paul enjoys exploring the huge potential of concrete as a sculptural medium and experiments with the huge versatility that it offers. He particularly enjoys carving and, because he is using concrete, he has to work fast before it sets, something that encourages spontaneity and a bold approach in the initial stages. He doesn’t always know what he is going to carve before he starts and he makes abstract, impressionistic and also realistic forms such as animal heads.

He is interested in the psychological and philosophical process of creating art and the potential that it has to enable self- expression and to represent the hidden inner workings of the mind.

As well as carving he creates sculptures over armature which enables him to make larger more complex forms and his garden is full of larger pieces he has made, most of which are too big to be moved for display in this exhibition.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pablosculpture/

Instagram: @paulsculpt

X: @bradwaystockley

Website: pablostockley.wixsite.com/website

‘Student’s Showcase’ by Bradford School of Art

Opening : Fri 12th April | 5 – 8 | South Square
Running : 12th April – 2nd Jun

We are excited to have a showcase exhibition by Bradford School of Art level 5 students. Come down and view an incredible collection and variety of art by the talented student’s.

Join us for the opening on Fri 12th April , including the opening of 3 new exhibitions and live music!

Plenty Café, at the South Square Centre, Thornton Bradford

Exhibtion opening : Friday 12th April, 5pm – 8pm
Friday 12 April – Sunday 2 June 2024

The work in this show is a reflection of my love of the dales, moors and coasts of Yorkshire. I aim to show my response to the landscape by looking for its essence, not focusing on specific details.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Equivocal Landscape by John Murphy
Friday 3rd May – Sun 26th May
Exhibition opening Fri 10 May | 5pm – 8pm | Unit 9 Gallery | South Square

The work in this exhibition reflects John’s interest in using pattern to create abstraction of the landscape. It charts the development of his recent work from identifiably landscape-based paintings to a more ambiguous and darker imagery using acrylic monotypes.

Artist Statement

This exhibition contains works I have made in the last year.

It started with an interest in looking at ways to abstract the landscape, in particular by using pattern. The watercolour pieces are clearly based on particular places and use a variety of pattern making techniques in an attempt to reassess how we look at the landscape.

In the days of Instagram, it is impossible to work in a void, and to some extent the patterns come from watching makers on social media creating simple patterns as meditative work. I wondered if there was a way to take this and use it in a representational context. This is the result.

The development of the later pieces came from exploring different monotype techniques. These are less literally landscape, but look at the colour and texture of the environment (both real and fictional) for inspiration. Using geometric themes, with natural textural elements allows me to explore the opportunities and strictures of the print medium without focussing on a truly representational outcome.

Saturday 4th May | 10 am – 4pm  | South Square

Click here to book now!

Monoprinting is the production of a one-off print which cannot be reproduced identically. Diane uses a silk screen and water based dyes to paint jewel like imagery onto silk.

Join Diane in her textile studio at South Square, as she illustrates this delicate art form.

What to expect:

Using brushes provided in the workshop, you will paint onto a taught screen which is stretched over a large frame. Using layers, removing dye and mark making tools an image can be built up giving depth and texture.

To fix the final image, a rubber blade called a squeegee, transfers a chemical paste onto the dye which is then printed onto pre stretched silk.

The final silk print will measure 35 x 48cm. The different uses for this are endless. Embellish the print further with embroidery, make the print into a cushion or simply frame it.

It is possible to get two prints, but the second one will be less vibrant.

Suitable for beginners.

Equipment and material are provided. Silk fabric will be £2.00 cost price for second print.

Break for lunch at approx 12.30pm. Booking advised if you are considering Plenty at the Square Café. Café closes at 3.30pm

*Please note, the silk will require steaming and washing to fix the ink. Your design will be ready for collection the following week.

What to bring:

Participants are encouraged to bring source materials / sketches / images or cuttings to inspire the design.

Please bring an old shirt or apron to protect your clothes.

Instagram
@dianejones.textiles

Saturday 18th May 2024 | 10 am – 7 pm | South Square

Children’s Spring Fairy Motanka Dolls Workshop by Olha

Wednesday 29th May | 11 am – 12 pm | South Square

Click here to book now!

Join us, in the May school half term holidays to make beautiful Motanka dolls with your kids.

The Motanka doll is the oldest and simplest toy, but it is not as simple as it seems. During the workshop, children will learn the secrets of mastering working with threads and fabric, as well as learning about the symbolism that our ancestors put into toys. A gentle and charming spring fairy, the Motanka doll will transform into a true friend and talisman for those who create it.

Kids under 8 years old have to be accompanied by adults to help.

NOTE – One child per ticket.

All materials will be provided

Friday 12th April – Sunday 2nd June

Paul Stockley
Spirits of the Wild

In this exhibition Paul Stockley explores the human race’s complex and often destructive relationship with wild animals; it speaks about our care but also of our disregard for our fellow creatures.

His sculptures exude an aura of calm, beauty and serenity but at the same time there is often a sadness in the faces which reflects a tenuous existence and which resonates with an uncertain future.

Spirits of the wild will be exhibited in the beautiful outdoors of South Square Garden plus the Court Yard.

This exhibition is Paul’s first solo gallery exhibition and follows on from a successful joint exhibition in Sheffield in November 2023. For the past three years he has had annual exhibitions in his garden studio as part of ‘Open Up Sheffield’ and will be taking part again in May 2024.

Paul enjoys exploring the huge potential of concrete as a sculptural medium and experiments with the huge versatility that it offers. He particularly enjoys carving and, because he is using concrete, he has to work fast before it sets, something that encourages spontaneity and a bold approach in the initial stages. He doesn’t always know what he is going to carve before he starts and he makes abstract, impressionistic and also realistic forms such as animal heads.

He is interested in the psychological and philosophical process of creating art and the potential that it has to enable self- expression and to represent the hidden inner workings of the mind.

As well as carving he creates sculptures over armature which enables him to make larger more complex forms and his garden is full of larger pieces he has made, most of which are too big to be moved for display in this exhibition.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pablosculpture/

Instagram: @paulsculpt

X: @bradwaystockley

Website: pablostockley.wixsite.com/website

‘Student’s Showcase’ by Bradford School of Art

Opening : Fri 12th April | 5 – 8 | South Square
Running : 12th April – 2nd Jun

We are excited to have a showcase exhibition by Bradford School of Art level 5 students. Come down and view an incredible collection and variety of art by the talented student’s.

Join us for the opening on Fri 12th April , including the opening of 3 new exhibitions and live music!

Plenty Café, at the South Square Centre, Thornton Bradford

Exhibtion opening : Friday 12th April, 5pm – 8pm
Friday 12 April – Sunday 2 June 2024

The work in this show is a reflection of my love of the dales, moors and coasts of Yorkshire. I aim to show my response to the landscape by looking for its essence, not focusing on specific details.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Drypoint with Monoprint inspired by Nature workshop by Janine Denby

Saturday 22nd June | 10.30 – 2.30 pm | South Square

Click here to book now!

Join printmaker Janine Denby and for this multi process printmaking workshop combining monoprint with drypoint.

During the morning session I will introduce you to the technique of drypoint, an intaglio process in which a sharp stylus or needle is used to scratch lines directly into a rhenalon or metal plate and a print is taken from the inked up lines using an etching press.

Working from sketches or given images, you will be shown how to use drypoint tools in different ways to make line, pattern and tone to create your printing plate. You will learn how to ink, wipe and print your plate and try out different methods to create 2-3 variations of the same print.

During the afternoon session I will introduce you to monoprint, an expressive technique in which a plate is covered with a layer of ink and the image is formed by manipulating and removing the ink using a variety of tools, including brushes, rags, or the artist’s fingers. You will be able to explore combining your drypoint with monoprint techniques to add layers of colour, textures or patterns to your prints.

At the end of this session you will take away a small edition of drypoint and monoprint prints that can be framed, worked into further with mixed media or turned into bookmarks, book covers, labels, broaches, coasters or collage. In other words, the possibilities are endless!

This course is suitable for beginners, experienced artists who want to extend their skills in printmaking, printmakers who would like to refresh their knowledge of drypoint and monoprint techniques or teachers who want to incorporate drypoint and monoprint techniques into their schemes of work.

Your Tutor:

Janine Denby is an experienced contemporary artist/printmaker and qualified teacher with an MA in Printmaking from Bradford University and a P.G.C.E in Art and Design (Secondary Ed) from University College of St. Martins, Lancaster.

Janine divides her time between teaching art in schools, running printmaking workshops, taking part in residencies and exhibiting work in local and national galleries and museums. She is an active member of Inkers Printmakers and Leeds Fine Artists.

Janine is a mixed media printmaker and has developed her own unique style of collography printmaking, often overlaying numerous print blocks to produce highly textured, vividly coloured works that celebrate the world around her.

Instagram
@janinedenbyprintmaker

Opening : Fri 2 August | 5 – 8 | South Square
Running : 2nd August – 29 Sep

Our Joan Day bursary has been awareded to Alex Anughe.

South Square is delighted to announce that our Joan Day Bursary has been awarded to Alex Anaughe. We’re so excited to work with Alex to produce her first solo exhibition which will be opening on 2nd August 2024!!

Alex is a Bradford based artist with a Greek-Nigerian heritage, that explores black culture and her own identity within her paintings. She paints featureless portraits that often make cultural references to music, symbols and social narratives that draw upon her unique background. Alex predominantly uses oil and acrylic paints to play with bold colours and texture, which bring her works to life. 

A huge thank you to our amazing panel, Nancy Steadman, Razwan Ul-Haq and Patrick Whitehead Apothecary Gallery.

The Joan Day Bursary was founded in 2006 in memory of Joan Day. Joan was a highly skilled painter who lived and worked in the West Yorkshire region for much of her life. This annual bursary is awarded to an emerging artist who shows an enthusiasm for working in paint.

Instagram
@alxanogart

Opening : Fri 2 August | 5 – 8 | South Square
Running : 2nd August – 29 Sep

Our Joan Day bursary has been awareded to Alex Anughe.

South Square is delighted to announce that our Joan Day Bursary has been awarded to Alex Anaughe. We’re so excited to work with Alex to produce her first solo exhibition which will be opening on 2nd August 2024!!

Alex is a Bradford based artist with a Greek-Nigerian heritage, that explores black culture and her own identity within her paintings. She paints featureless portraits that often make cultural references to music, symbols and social narratives that draw upon her unique background. Alex predominantly uses oil and acrylic paints to play with bold colours and texture, which bring her works to life. 

A huge thank you to our amazing panel, Nancy Steadman, Razwan Ul-Haq and Patrick Whitehead Apothecary Gallery.

The Joan Day Bursary was founded in 2006 in memory of Joan Day. Joan was a highly skilled painter who lived and worked in the West Yorkshire region for much of her life. This annual bursary is awarded to an emerging artist who shows an enthusiasm for working in paint.

Instagram
@alxanogart