Tim Ralston writes about his work…‘I believe that painting offers a unique way of being in and responding to the world. The presentation of an image in paint demands rationalization, at once increasing its significance. I am interested in the conflict that arises between deification and condemnation when images are appropriated in paint. My work alludes to the bastardization of aesthetics and the golden section and the power composition can have over the consumer. Power of suggestion dominates the imagery and the paintings ask the viewer to question the choices they make. The pathos generated in the painstaking reproduction of society’s detritus is echoed in the handling of the surface. Once the viewer’s attention is obtained the deterioration of surface perverts their initial attraction. Next to food this degradation of surface is unseemly. Entropy apparently frozen in these advertisements has been awoken and forced upon this plasticised food. This deterioration of surface rallies against a lethargic and obese society who mindlessly allows the advancing embrace of Americana and capitalism along with its consequences.’

Artist Alma Tischler Wood has produced new work as part of International Women's Week. Tischler Wood has undertaken a series of portraits of professional females living in the Borough of Lewisham. Applying photography to capture the women at work or posing with their tools these images allow an insight, dialogue and personal understanding of women working in unusual environments traditionally dominated by males. The artist introduces the moving image (video) next to stills (the portraits) as well as paintings and objects installed in the gallery space.

Biography

Alma Tischler Wood graduated in 1986 (painting) at the Academy of Fine Art in Munich. She has been based in London for the last 18 years. Initially influenced within the German tradition of ‘Concrete Art’ her recent work explores the boundary of painting using a wide range of media, such as photography, video, ceramics and performance.

Recent solo exhibitions include ORANGE, Sonja Roesch Gallery, Houston Texas, USA (2005); NEW WORK, Gallery de Rijk, The Hague, NL; Who’s afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue? Paris Club, Paris and Op.3, commissioned by Bluecoat Gallery, Liverpool (2006).

Alternatively the artist direct: www.southlondonmuseum.co.uk

Otgonbayar is a young Mongolian artist. He was educated in Mongolia and Japan as a Fine Artist. In the past he has held several solo and group exhibitions in Mongolia, Japan and the UK. This exhibition includes recent works from the past six years, exploring the relationship between the materialist and spiritual environments surrounding us. Most of the images in his works are inspired by townscape and his life experience of sexuality. His abstract expressionist works are painted in oils and mineral pigments using eastern traditional techniques.

We Heart New Cross, an exhibition at the Lewisham Arthouse Gallery from 21 to 31 July, showcases the photographic work of Year 6 pupils from Kender Primary School. On display are photographs that explore each pupil’s individual, family and community identity as completed during a photography programme designed to develop visual, oral and written literacy.

Entitled CLIP (Creativity Literacy Identity Photography), the programme is delivered over 10 sessions and allows each participant to take possession of a camera and complete a series of photographic exercises after learning the basics of photography. Written exercises are also completed which allow participants to better plan and interpret their photographic work.

Alex Drago, co-developer of the CLIP project, states ‘We Heart New Cross gives these young people the power of representation. It allows each young person to explore their identity, that of their family and their community, and teaches them the skills they need to show others how they see the world around them. CLIP is a positive learning experience because it empowers young people to understand and create images in an image dominated world.’

Jamm Factory provides arts-based education services for schools and community groups focusing on creative development. The organisation places creativity at the heart of the learning experience to help participants better understand themselves and their community and to empower them to create success in their own lives. Further examples of artistic work created through Jamm Factory can be seen on their website.

We Heart New Cross is supported by New Cross NDC, South East London Community Foundation and Kender Primary School.

Contact: Alex Drago at Jamm Factory on 020 8852 1550

Lewisham Arthouse presents Matthew Sibley's exhibition of painting and sculpture, 'Moving House'.Houses contain and shape our emotions and memories. When we leave it, a house represents our past. In this series of work, Matthew transports us back through our personal histories and the childlike stylistic naivety belies the emotional content. The various pieces are linked by a recurring motif of paradoxically stationary wheels, represent how we travel from our past and yet remain trapped by it. The heads and figures at the windows and doorways suggest our previous lives. This exhibition will move the viewer in surprising ways, making for an engaging and original experience. www.matthewsibley.com

Toby Rye's Serendipity is an exhibition of happy accidents: large and small scale drawings and paintings predominantly on pages of dictionaries. His work is burnt, cut, painted and drawn over, penetrated by ribbons, pins or magical silver threads to reveal chance connections and happy accidents. Toby uses page after page of dictionaries, paint, drawing and a variety of other media to explore how language encodes/hides meanings and decodes/reveals them. His work questions notions of meaning, encoding and deciphering by taking apart dictionaries and reclaiming new forms and images. As receptacles of language, dictionaries hold the key to developing understanding, communication and thought and Toby explores this by making painterly links to organic, growing forms. He uses burning as a method of drawing: destroying layers of meaning to create fragile new forms.

An exploration of personal histories and a celebration of the Lewisham Arthouse's chequered past. Following this fine building through its glorious years as a Carnegie library, its fall into dereliction and disgrace. Its foray into the film world, featuring in 'Dracula' and finally its triumphant resurrection from the ashes of neglect when it became -The Arthouse!

See what has stayed hidden, until now.
What secrets have been locked underground?
Artists reveal all.

This show will culminate with an Open Studios Extravaganza, an Open Weekend, 11th and 12th June 12.00 - 6.00pm. The Arthouse will yield up its final secrets. Who is in those spaces - and even more intriguing - what do they do there? Finally, the Lobby Lounge Café will supply all your refreshment needs, deliciously. Indulge yourself!

19 - 22 May 2005

In a unique mother and child creative collaboration, in support of the Nursery at Goldsmiths College, University of London, eight Fine Art students from the College, who also happen to be mothers, are showing their work at a unique exhibition at Lewisham Arthouse gallery. The artists' work - often conceptual, encompassing video, textile and sculpture - will juxtapose work by their children, adding a new layer of context and meaning.Goldsmiths College Nursery provides affordable childcare and allows many students with children to return to study, where otherwise they would not be able to. Five out of the eight artists involved have children at the Nursery.

Press enquiries: Laura Preece / Janet Aikman, Communications and Publicity
tel 020 7919 7970, e-mail ext-comms@gold.ac.uk

After last year's "sublime" exhibition Angels Descending, London artist CHARLIE P! returns to the ARThouse with a much earthier exhibition: Minotaurs, Unicorns and Other Horny Beasts.

Charlie P!, who is also a trained therapeutic counsellor, is currently studying Psychoanalytic Theory which is reflected in his latest work. He comes down from the heavens to examine Greek and Pagan Myths with his usual eclectic mix of rich oil painting and found objects. In a conflation of Art Povera and Baroque using objects ranging from breadboard furniture and clock surrounds, Charlie creates iconic, totemic objects around images of masculinity and male sexuality.

In this exhibition tattooed male bodies meet bulls horns, chains and driftwood, bringing to life the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Musician Tricky appears as the Green Man of Pagan Myth and a drop-leaf table top is transformed into a triptych opening to reveal a Garden of Earthly Delights.

For further information:
Charlie P! 020 8691 5592
email: charlie@stonecrabs.co.uk
images: www.stonecrabs.co.uk/charlie.html

Previous Press on Charlie P!'s work:
"Don't Miss" - TNT Magazine
"Mix of Popular culture's iconic imagery with a kind of Catholic opulence well worth a look" - News Shopper
"Sumptuous oils lit by candlelight" - South London Press

A GROUP SHOW BY CAMBERWELL COLLEGE OF ARTS STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES: Linda Barck, Laurence Burley, Emma Derrick, Alex Gough, Paul Griffiths, Christian Kingham, Helene Lomenach, Anna Ricciardi, Christine Thingholm, Owen Thomas, Greg Williams, Tom Winstanley.

'Traces' brings together works by 12 contemporary artists, either currently studying at Camberwell College of Arts or recently graduated. The exhibition offers the chance to see works not previously exhibited.

The artists are exploring the idea of the art works as traces, either in a material or conceptual sense. The suggestion of the work as a small part of the bigger picture, i.e. either a snippet of a much larger process or object, or the lead in to exploring the concept behind the work.

'Traces' acted as a muse to the artists, who were already working along interesting lines in relation to this 'title'. The exhibition includes work from varied disciplines, from Photography, Drawing and Painting, to Sculpture, Sound Arts and Performance.

EVENTS: OPEN SEMINAR AND CRITICAL DISCUSSION, 23 MARCH
The exhibiting artists will critically discuss the work on show. Visitor involvement is welcomed.

TRACES AND ALTERNATIVE FUTURES, 25 MARCH
Guest speakers were invited to respond to the artists' work, and the exhibition.

Exhibition of textiles, crafts and handmade objects. Supported by The London Borough of Lewisham for International Women's Week 2005.

Like many strands of history Threadlines draws on the narrative of cultural traditions associated with women's work. The practices of arts and crafts which have been kept alive by the transmission of skills and content from one women to another, across cultures and from one generation to another. Such practices as quilt making, sewing, knitting, breadmaking, weaving to name but a few. Often they are seen as activities for the domestic sphere, but are now increasingly being brought under the umbrella of commercial cultural practices.

Here at the ARThouse we celebrate the practices and products of ARThouse artists and their colleagues in the London Borough of Lewisham. We hope to celebrate their work and to demonstrate to the public how to practise some of the skills seen in the exhibition through our free workshops.

3 - 14 November 2004