Award-Winning Photographer Alan Ranger on Show at Gallery150

Alan Ranger's first solo exhibition at Gallery150, showcases stunning and dramatic images of Warwickshire and the UK countryside and coastline.

In his first solo show ‘Escapes’, Alan Ranger takes us on an evocative journey across land and sea.

A passionate photographer, Alan, who previously wrote poetry, expresses his creative vision through the lens of a camera, immortalising objects, people and landscapes that reflect the beauty of light, shade and texture.

In 2008, after attending a workshop with John Gravett of Lakeland Photographic Holidays, Alan transformed his hobby into a vocation, exhibiting at shows with FIAP (Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique) and British Photographic Exhibitions (BPE), winning numerous awards for his landscapes. In 2010, he gained a "Licentiateship" at the Royal Photographic Society, and now aims to complete his Associate Distinction in 2012.  Alan, who works as an IT Manager, also runs local photography meet ups and provides tuition and master classes to beginners and those looking to pursue their interest in photographic art.  

His varied work has a unique style that he has developed through his determination and an innate desire for perfection. The photographer takes something seemingly ordinary and transforms it into something extraordinary, creating dynamic and inspiring images that draw the viewer into a magical and dreamlike world.

In a poetry of texture and light, Alan’s vision and emotion can be clearly seen in his images, which are often inspired by his love of music, but also his ability to view everyday scenes and objects from a different and unusual perspective, providing the viewer with a window into his soul.

To view more images from Alan Ranger's photography book click here.

The exhibition at Gallery150 will run from 6^th December until 18^th December 2011. The private view will be held on Tuesday, 6^th December 2011 from 7-9pm.

Run and showcased by LSA, the gallery is open Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 6pm / Sunday 11am - 4pm.

BRINK Bring a Taste of the Swinging Sixties to Kenilworth

John Lennon Pop Art print by Bill Zygmant

A rare occasion to view iconic photographs of The Avengers, Marc Bolan, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Lulu and Paul McCartney.

BRINK is proud to present the works of world renowned, celebrity photographer Bill Zygmant at Kenilworth Wines, in Talisman Square.

Passionate about photography from a very early age, Bill’s career began in 1962, when he joined a Fleet Street picture agency, later going freelance in 1966, taking pictures of stars, such as Bananarama, the Bee Gees, Peter Davidson, Mary Hopkins, Madness, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rod Stewart and Barbara Windsor,  to name but a few, with his works regularly published in Billboard, Musical Express , Picture Post and many national British newspapers and magazines.

Bill also took the first photograph of John Lennon and Yoko Ono on the Kings Road in London, months before the official announcement of their relationship. And, he even has a suite named after him at The Hard Day’s Night Hotel in Liverpool, where two of his pictures are also displayed in the John Lennon Suite, next to the famous white piano. Recently, Bill’s work was also used on the cover of George Harrison’s biography ‘Working Class Mystic’.

In the Vino Veritas V showcase, BRINK will be unveiling  a rare, never seen before limited edition, Pop Art print of John Lennon in the style of Andy Warhol, as well as photographs of George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Jimi Hendrix, Marc Bolan, Lulu and the Avengers.

All works are signed and available for sale. As a Christmas gift, BRINK is offering clients a 10% discount on any photographs purchased before 20^th December.

The BRINK showcase will run from 1 December 2011 until January 31^st 2012. Kenilworth Wines is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00am until 19.00pm.

Melvyn Warren-Smith Bares All

Melvyn Warren-Smith will be holding his solo show ‘Exposed’ at Gallery150, the LSA-run gallery space in Leamington.

Born in Kingston-Upon-Thames, this internationally renowned artist studied Fine Art in Epson for six years, later becoming an illustrator for IPC and Grestock and Marsh, working on illustrations for short stories, books and magazines for the likes of Annabel, Maeve Binchy, Josephine Cox, The People’s Friend, Woman and many more.

Melvyn, who currently lives and works near Leamington Hastings, is an eclectic and prolific artist, whose brushstrokes seem to effortlessly sweep across a wide range of subject matter, including still life, landscapes, portraits, and nudes.

But, he is not just about art, he is also a passionate and charismatic personality. In fact, in the ‘Exposed’ exhibition invitation Melvyn is seen putting himself in the shoes of a life model, concealing his modesty with an artist’s palette. And, with the vast array of small and large works, one gets the impression that he really is baring all, in what could almost be viewed as a ‘life-time’ showcase of works.

Curated by Kate Livingstone, the exhibition will be held from 22nd November until 4th December 2011. The private view will be held on Tuesday, 22nd November from 7pm.

Gallery150, Regent Court Shopping Centre, 9 Livery Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4NP.

ART ON THE EDGE 2: Call for sculptors, installation artists, painters, performers and makers

BRINK is currently viewing proposals from sculptors, installation artists, painters and performers for an up-coming one-day, open-air exhibition that we are organising at the Lions Grand Show, in Abbey Fields, Kenilworth on 2nd June 2011.

The work can be on any theme, but please take into consideration that the works will be on display to families.

This year, we are making ART ON THE EDGE bigger and better. As well the open-air exhibition, we will also have a marquee area for exhibiting paintings or more delicate works, and a limited number of stalls.

The exhibition is free to enter. Stalls may be shared and cost €40.00 for artists and £65.00 for companies or organisations.

A risk assessment will be required from the artist/exhibitor on acceptance of the work.

To view images from last year's ART ON THE EDGE click here.

Details

To submit your work please send the following information to brinkevents@gmail.com:

• jpeg images or drawings of the proposed projects (you can send more than one);
• a brief description of the work and materials;
• artist statement and biography;
• any eventual web links to your work.

Make do and Mend: Photographs from Afghanistan

On operations there are very few home comforts but soldiers are resourceful and once in a location it is only a matter of hours before they make that space their own.  Limited by what they can carry in their bergens, military rucksacks, soldiers are skilled in taking what they can find in their environment and making life more comfortable.   Bed spaces will be personalised and kit is adapted, dogs become pets and small gardens are created.  Where ever they are, soldierswill make the most of their lot, however basic the conditions.  

In her forthcoming photographic exhibition, 'Make Do and Mend', award winning Terriotorial Army Sergeant Alison Baskerville, 36, has captured images of these off duty moments.  Sergeant Baskerville returned this summer from a tour in Afghanistan to win two categories, Professional Portrait and Professional Operational Image, in the Annual Army Photographic Competition.  Gallery 150, Leamington Spa, is being transformed with pictures, props and materials that will give you a flavour of Army life on operations. 

Sergeant Alison Baskerville served out in Afghanistan as a member of the Combat Camera Team which meant she was out on the ground, sometimes for days or weeks at a time, recording the  'on and off' duty moments of life in a tough environment.    

"We see lots of pictures, photographs of soldiers living and working in the field but much of life on operations, as one soldier described it to me is '99% boredom and 1% chaos!'.  I was intrigued to capture the other side of life in Afghanistan, the way soldiers improvise every day objects to make life more comfortable, how they cope with boredom, add humour and live through the separation from their friends and families.  When you start looking, you suddenly see moments of thoughtfulness, how people spend their 'down time' and the interaction with the Afghan people."  Said Sergeant Alison Baskerville.

"We are delighted that Sergeant Baskerville has chosen to support The Royal British Legion with her photographic exhibition.  Her images are incredible and she brings an insight into the life of a soldier while he is away from home which will resonate with many of our servicemen and women and their families.  It is also very poignant that the exhibition launches during this year's Poppy Appeal.  In this, our 90th year, it is more important than ever that we recognise the commitment made by our military personnel."  Said Russell Thompson OBE, Director of National Events and Fundraising at The Royal British Legion.

The funds raised will be donated to The Royal British Legion Battle Back Centre for sports and adventurous training, which helps injured soldiers to recover and regain their confidence.  

More than £1.4 million a week or over £200,000 a day is spent by the Legion on its work helping over 160,000 members of the Armed Forces Family – serving, ex-Service and their dependants.

The exhibition will be on show from 9th - 20th November 2011. The private view will be held on Tuesday, 8th November 2011, from 7pm. 

Run and showcased by Leamington Studio Artists, Gallery150 is open Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 6pm Sunday 11am - 4pm.

Gallery150, 9 Livery Street, Regents Court, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4NP.