Young Friends at Hastings Contemporary

Print description

By the courtyard at Hastings Contemporary, bathed in sunlight, we observe a moment of quiet intimacy: two young companions sharing a simple joy of companionship.

Beyond them, stark and striking, rise the towering black net huts — monuments to the age-old relationship between humans and the sea. These slender structures, once used to dry fishermen’s nets, stand proudly against a brilliantly coloured cliff face, crowned at its summit by the East Hill Cliff Railway, watching over the scene.

In this quiet corner of the art gallery, the young friends are absorbed, nestled into the sofa, their faces poised in concentration, each expressing their own personality: one examining in detail a work of art on the wall — a print by Eric Ravilious titled Hardware; the other, sketching this very scene with paper and crayons.

Hastings Contemporary

Perched on the shingle shores of East Sussex, Hastings Contemporary stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of modern artistry and rich maritime heritage. The gallery, with its award-winning architecture, is thoughtfully designed to complement its surroundings, offering visitors a space where contemporary art meets the timeless rhythm of the sea. ​

The building’s exterior, adorned with over 8,000 black ceramic tiles hand-glazed in Kent, mirrors the traditional net huts of the adjacent fishing beach, paying homage to the town’s enduring connection to the sea. Inside, the gallery presents an ambitious programme of temporary exhibitions showcasing work by important Modern British artists, internationally celebrated artists, and emerging practitioners. ​

Hastings: A Tapestry of Time

Hastings itself is a town steeped in history. From its origins as a significant port in the medieval Cinque Ports confederation to its pivotal role in the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the town has long been at the crossroads of English history.

The Old Town retains its charm with narrow streets, timber-framed houses, and the unique net huts used by fishermen to dry their nets—a nod to its enduring connection to the sea. The East Hill Cliff Railway, the UK’s steepest funicular, offers panoramic views of the town and the English Channel, further highlighting the town’s picturesque landscape.

Hastings Contemporary Official Website

History of Hastings – Wikipedia

History of Hastings Old Town – Visit 1066 Country

Hastings Contemporary – Sussex Modern

Print details

To create this print, I start by crafting individual drawings in ink, which collectively form a collage comprising the final piece. I scan my drawings and digitally add colour. The original design solely exists in digital format, and I print it using archival inks and paper. I then release my design as a limited edition print, available in standard ‘A’ sizes, ranging from A0 (84.1 cm x 118.9 cm) to A4 (21 x 29.7 cm).

People and Places Revelations of Love

I love visiting the British Library. It regularly hosts different exhibitions, and in January 2025, I saw the show Medieval Women: In Their Own Words, which was fascinating. Among the exhibits was Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love, circa 1675. I have borrowed this title to name my series of prints People and Places: Revelations of Love.

After recovering from her illness, Julian of Norwich chose to live as an anchoress—a woman who voluntarily isolated herself in a cell to dedicate her life to God. During her solitude, she meditated deeply on her spiritual visions. Many years later, she wrote a second version of her Revelations, known as the ‘Long Text,’ where she elaborated on the theological significance of these visions in much greater depth. This version has survived only through 17th-century copies made by English nuns in exile in Paris and Cambrai.

Another masterpiece I saw in this exhibition was a medieval book with an illustration titled Christine de Pisan with Queen Isabeau. Somehow, the vibrant colours of medieval books have also been a source of inspiration for this series

This work echoes many different sources, from Vuillard’s colourful depictions of the domestic patterned interior, many of which I saw at Pallant House Gallery in 2022, to the Alekos Fassianos Foundation, which I visited in Athens during the summer of 2023. Also in a mental periphery I can think of Ben Nicholson still lifes with his everyday objects; or Gwen John interiors, specially one exquisite painting ‘La chambre sur la cour’

The human figure in a scene

I have been running life drawing sessions in Brighton for many years, and the depiction of the human form fascinates me. Through this piece, I aim to express both my personal experiences and the environment where I live. So the inclusion of a figure is very important, referencing one of my living art heroes, artist Louis Fratino, with his modernist cubic contemporary classics. It also draws inspiration from a recent exhibition at Studio Voltaire in London, that featured a pairing of works by Beryl Cook and Tom of Finland, held in the summer of 2024