Urban Beauty – Exhibition Starts

Three artists, all of whom have a different eye when it comes to the urban landscape. The breathtaking work of Graham Cann, an internationally renowned photographer, combines the grittiness of urban settings with poignant haiku. Justin Twigg finds colour and textural magic in the backstreets of home and abroad, while the delicate cultural work of Phil Chatterley creates new beauty from familiar skyscapes.

Phil Chattersley

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Phil has worked mainly in oils, but also  pastel, conte crayon, and pencil.  Also, all the subjects were taken from his own photographs.  As for inspiration, common themes of solitude and silence have always played a significant role, along with a sense of change, particularly of things long since passed, such as the crumbling and forgotten world of post-industrial dereliction right on his doorstep, courtesy of Stoke-on-Trent’s long standing associations with pottery production.  And yet, similar themes can be found in the most unlikely of places, which can be seen in his mesmerising depictions of coastal scenes, proving that a sense of calm and quiet can be found even amidst the hustle and bustle of many a top tourist attraction, which is exactly where most, if not all of the water related scenes were captured.

Justin Twigg

Still living the dream, cycling, painting and playing music as much as my side hustles will allow. After teaching both A- and O-Level Art and Photography at a local college two days a week, this is the first ‘academic’ year that I haven’t taught a single day. I do miss it and aim to do some next year. This last year I have designed and built my own Art & Design studio, and landscaped the back garden, I’ve also managed to have a couple of exhibitions. Currently from another design out of my head I’m making a 4m oak & glass structure that is either a greenhouse or a hothouse or an outhouse, or maybe all three. As I’m waiting for the glass to arrive I have started to draw and paint again after a few months, and I’ve also managed to start to organise ‘Paint outs’ for enthusiastic artists like me.

Graham Cann

A multi published UK Photographer – Commercial Fashion, Beauty and Editorial photographer currently based in Leigh-on-sea, with a strong background in analogue photography, Graham spent many years in Stoke-on-Trent.

Graham’s current work is a mixture of analogue and digital imagery, as he has a strong belief that there is still relevance to the old ways within both Fashion and Editorial styles.  His work for this exhibition is drawn from his recent travels in France and Germany and captures the exquisite zeitgeist of urban places.

The exhibition will run from Saturday 24 January to Saturday 7 March.