Art / art exhibition
Artists Sky Siouki and Harriet Popham come together for joint exhibition
Glastonbury-based lino print maker Harriet Popham and Bristol painter and illustrator Sky Siouki have come together in a joint exhibition launching at PRIOR SHOP’s gallery space on October 15.
Siouki paints ethereal and abstract landscapes, with wildlife illustrations layered upon them.
Popham’s bold lino prints often feature carved silhouettes, celebrating both pattern and form.
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Entitled Places of Joy, the pieces chosen for the exhibition will reflect not only the artists’ mutual love of the animals and architecture that inspire them, but also of the immersive nature of the creative process itself.
Places of Joy exhibition poster – photo: Sky Siouki and Harriet Popham
“Although our work is different in subject and medium,” explains Popham, “it is unified by a strong use of colour and contrast such as pops of orange and sprinklings of gold.”
Having both studied textile design, the pair met through their shared admiration for each other’s work, and have since become close friends and collaborators. Staging a joint exhibition felt like a natural next step.
So what most inspires them about the other?
“When Hari and I take drawing days out together I always admire the way she can instantly translate anything into a pattern,” says Siouki. “I remember her drawing some flowers at Bristol Botanic Gardens and immediately turning them into an art deco style tile design that would work perfectly as a mirrored lino print.
Harriet Popham in studio – photo: courtesy of the artist
Florence Duomo detail – photo: Harriet Popham
“Hari sees inspiration so effortlessly in everything around her, be it the shadows cast by the morning sun or just noticing the joy in the interactions of the people around her.”
For Hari, it is Siouki’s ability to juxtapose artistic techniques so effectively that really makes an impact. “It’s the meticulous attention to detail that goes in to every square cm of fur or feather, in contrast with the looseness and freedom of her expressive abstract painting,” she points out. “The results of the two combined is stunning.
“And on top of her incredible eye for colour and detail, Sky passionately cares about the environment and animals at risk and this core connection to her work really shows.”
Sky Siouki’s painting process – photo: courtesy of the artist
Pangolin print detail – photo: Sky Siouki
Harriet Popham & Sky Siouki: Places of Joy launches on October 15 with a preview evening from 5-8pm at PRIOR SHOP, Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus. The exhibition then continues until October 29. For more information, visit www.priorshop.uk.
Main photo: Sky Siouki (‘Clouded Leopard’ painting)
Read more: ‘Lavish Vandalism’: The debut solo exhibition from Duke Mitchell
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