A French Connection is theme of East Sussex art show
The exhibition will run from July 27 to August 8, from 10-4, Monday to Sunday, or by appointment – their second show this year in the venue.
A spokesman said: “Nick was born in England and lived extensively in France, while Agnes was born in France and has lived extensively in England. Hence the name of their show A French Connection. They both feel that it is important for the public to view art in these strange and difficult times.
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Hide Ad“Nick was born in 1968 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne from Irish parents and adopted at an early age by an English-Australian couple. He grew up and was educated in France and America. He worked in various fields, such as forestry, and as a labourer, care-worker and chef, before discovering art 12 years ago. He studied for a foundation diploma for which he got a merit and then a foundation degree for which he got a distinction.
“From the outset, Nick has found his creativity extremely helpful as a coping mechanism for long-term bouts of depression. He tends to work creating different series which have included crucifixions, self-portraits, dreams, fish, B-movies, the south of England and France, poems and lyrics etc. Nick’s style is bright and colourful, at times surreal, darkly humorous,
melancholic, romantic or provocative. He relies heavily on found objects, glitter, strings and threads, high-gloss varnish, mirrors or anything else he thinks might help the overall effect of the piece he is working on. His aim is to overwhelm the viewer and also make him or her smile. If he can do this he feels it is a job well done.
“The creation of the work is essential; showing it to the general public is good – and sales are just an extra bonus. Nick often gives his profits to various charities, which have included the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, MIND, The Alzheimer’s Society, Seaview and St Vincent de Paul.
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Hide Ad“Agnes Chevalier graduated in fine Art at Rouen School of Art in France in 1984, studied History of Art at the Sorbonne, University of Paris, and Textiles at Goldsmith College, University of London.
“After graduating, Agnes worked in theatre as a costume and set designer both in France and England, including work with the Gaslight Theatre in London, and work with The Black Swan Theatre and Opera Company in London.
“In 1993, Agnes was employed as a costume maker by the renown costume design company, Angels of London.
“In 1995 Agnes took a break from her textile design work to raise her family.
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Hide Ad“During that period she worked independently designing and making wedding dresses.
““In 2008 she returned to studying art and enrolled on a sculpture course learning new techniques such as clay modelling and on a creative embroidery course in Brighton.
“Since 2010 she has developed an extensive portfolio of fine art embroidery inspired by the Impressionists and the Pre-Raphaelite Artists.”
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