Metamorphosis

The exhibition Metamorphosis is an opportunity for six artists to explore a concept fundamental to creative practice. As such, whether at the level of process, metaphor, illustration and/or reflection, change or transformation underpins all their responses. Despite this common impulse, the collected work is marked by difference, providing few visual or thematic similarities. This lack of commonality invites the viewer to consider where and in what ways the original impulse is manifest. We hope you will visit to see if you can work it out.

Metamorphosis: artists’ statements

Julia Iwasz

Metamorphosis is a complex and slippery term, most often used in the biological sense of a complete change from one form to another. Inspired by the phrase ‘Celebrity is a mask that eats into the face’ from John Updike’s 1985 memoir Self Consciousness, I have focussed more on psychological transformations of self-awareness and identity. I am fascinated by masks, and the effect they have on both the wearer and observer, and have often incorporated them in my practice.

Kelvin Gwilliam

This journey started with a 46 year-old black and white negative: strong directional sunlight casting shadows on steps leading down to a place not generally seen to the average person – an underworld. I used drawing of the steps simultaneously while working in 3D, connecting ideas and materials. Found objects, discarded crushed drink cans, used water bottles are transfigured into new physical forms. Linking steps, spinal structures and DNA strands all showing a vertical movement.

Lorna Macbeth

The theme of Metamorphosis lends itself perfectly to my series of flower paintings, which have evolved over a number of years. The initial inspiration may come from a bunch of flowers, such as for mother’s-day, or from a field of flowers, like poppies or lavender. Once the process of painting and looking begins as colours are laid down and glazes and textures are applied, the painting takes on a life of its own. But the flowers are changing too, along with the painting, their colours may fade or deepen as they dry.

Back in the 70s my work became increasingly abstract, lots of large colour field paintings made up of tiny particles of pigment, layer upon layer. I still have a pull in that direction, but try to remain semi-abstract, and to bring the painting back to its original intention. I hope to make my paintings harmonious and contemplative objects in themselves, as well as being evocative of what they are portraying.

Mel Rance

My artwork is inspired by a visit to Brighton Aquarium, Christmas 2023, where I found the jelly fish captivating. As they develop their adult form and structure their tentacles grow, and, as I watched them floating in the water, they appeared to change into fine silk strands or a string of coloured beads, no two the same. They seem to exist in their own space and time, isolated from the influences of the world above which can so drastically change their fragile environment.

Nicholas Addison

I have chosen to work with metamorphosis in two ways: first I have returned to old paintings and reworked them choosing tales from Ovid’s great poem Metamorphoses as the basis for illustration; second I have taken found images within which I have intervened. The latter gravitate thematically to current affairs allowing me to contribute to a very British tradition, political satire.

Othman Ali

Metamorphosis is quite central to my practice. I work through a process of improvisation selecting forms drawn predominately from calligraphy and textiles which I lay onto what I call a colour beginning. This field of colour sets up a type of energy with compels me to add the forms in particular combinations. Each mark or form suggests the next: the difficulty lies in knowing when to stop.