The Owl and the Pussycat
Edward Lear’s famous poem is the inspiration behind a new show of installations, paintings, photographs, prints and 3D works by a group of female artists exhibiting as ‘The Six of Us’.
The group, all recent mature graduates in Fine Art from the University of Hertfordshire, have exhibited together before, but this is the first time they have combined using a collaborative theme.
Julia Skrebels is a photographer and a painter in oils who has exhibited widely. She is known for her interest in recording changes in the rural environment and most recently has been experimenting with art processes, particularly oil painting and photographs of hedgerows and paths that represent the physical evidence of decisions made long ago .
Dr Heather Jukes, a lecturer in genetics before enrolling on the Fine Arts course, combines her scientific knowledge with her skills as an artist to explore issues relating to contemporary biology, especially the genetic modification of farm livestock and crop plants. In her work, she says, “the ubiquitous nature of DNA as a common blueprint for animal and plant life is a constant theme”. A recent series of colour photograms entitled “Unnatural Selection” was produced without a camera by capturing the light transmitted through an object on to photographic paper.
Jane Hodgson spent most of her career as a graphic designer before deciding to concentrate on her own art. After taking the Fine Arts course at the University of Hertfordshire she graduated in 2008 with an MA in Arts and Ecology from the celebrated Dartington College of Art, near Totnes. She has conducted workshops in Art and Ecology and Photoshop at Hemel Hempstead and has worked with Turner Prizewinner Jeremy Deller, among other leading artists.
Allison Wallace is a woodworker and former boat-builder whose theme is the Exploration of Journeys. She has used shipbuilding techniques to construct a five foot long spoon-boat for the exhibition.
Karole Lange was once an Assistant Producer for BBC TV. She has worked with Clive James and Janet Street Porter, among other presenters, and has helped produce children’s programmes as well as arts features such as Arena and Omnibus.
Ten years ago she left television to enrol on the Fine Arts course at the University of Hertfordshire, while at the same time working with video in schools. She has a passion for photography /video and installation art.
Lorna Cobert has a background in nursing, midwifery and complementary therapy. Since graduating in Fine Art in 2006 she has exhibited in London, Hertford and Welwyn Garden City. Painting mainly abstracts based on line, she is interested in the comic possibilities of the Owl and the Pussycat theme.
