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The French Connection. Nick Hill

Zoom Arts presents: The French Connection

 Zoom Arts members Nick Hill and Agnes Chevalier will unite once again as they present their second show of the year at the Zoom Gallery, Warrior Square Station. The French Connection exhibition will begin next Monday 27 July and continue all week until 8 August, from 10-4pm or by appointment. HOT’s Jordan Dixon writes.

The upcoming exhibition will provide a contrast in styles between the vibrant and psychedelic paintings of artist Nick Hill, along with Agnes Chevalier’s offering of fine art embroideries that present tranquil images of nature.

As the name suggests both Nick and Agnes have a connection to our neighbours across the Channel, as Nick was born in England but lived extensively in France, while Agnes was born in France but has lived extensively in England. The two have come together as they believe it is important during these difficulty and changing times for the public to view art.

About the Artist: Nick Hill

Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Irish parents, Nick Hill was adopted at an young age to an English-Australian couple and spent much of his formative years in France and America. He would go on to have a varied career working in forestry, as a labourer, careworker and chef before discovering art only twelve years ago. He subsequently studied for a foundation diploma and later a foundation degree.

Train stopping at La Ciota. Nick Hill

Nick’s artistic style is incredibly bright and colourful, heavily relying on found objects, glitter, strings and threads, high-gloss varnish, mirrors or anything else he feels can heighten the overall effects of his works. His paintings can be at times surreal, darkly humorous, melancholic, romantic and provocative. Nick typically creates different series which have previously included crucifixions, self-portraits, dreams, fish, B-Movies, poems and lyrics, as well as the South of England and France.

For Nick his art is essential, showing it to the public is good and sales are just an extra bonus. His works seek to overwhelm viewers and if he can just put smiles on people faces, then he feels it is a job well done. Nick often donates his profits to various charities, including Cystic Fibrosis Trust, MIND, The Alzheimer’s Society, Seaview and St Vincent de Paul.

You can get in touch with Nick to find out details about individual pieces and upcoming shows either by telephone 07984732716 or by email nmo.hill@googlemail.com

About the Artist: Agnes Chevalier 

Agnes Chevalier has spent the past 32 years living and working in the UK and has resided in St. Leonards since 2018. She currently works simultaneously as an artist and dress-maker and is also an active member of Zoom Arts.

Agnes boasts an extensive and impressive education in art, as well as a career in theatre and embroidery. She graduated in fine Art at the Rouen School of Art in France in 1984, before studying the History of Art at the Sorbonne, University of Paris and later Textiles at Goldsmith College, University of London.

Life. Agnes Chevalier

After graduating Agnes turned her sights to the theatre where she worked as a costume and set designer in both England and France, including stints with Londons Gaslight Theatre, Black Swan Theatre and Opera Company. In 1993, she worked as a costume designer with the renowned Angels of London.

In 1995 she took a break from her textile design work to focus on raising her family, but still found an outlet for her creative talents, working 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, the spirituality of her Buddhist practice and by the beauty of the South East English countryside where she lives.

Her embroidery pictures are created using a combination of techniques. At first the

When the woods meet the sea. Agnes Chevalier

design is painted on the fabric which can be cotton or silk, using paint and dye. Then using her much-trusted old sewing machine she will draw with the needle and just as one would paint she will stitch layers of a lots of rich vibrantly coloured threads to create an incredible 3D effect.

Agnes’s works been previously exhibited in France, Belgium and England where she has participated in Brighton’s Artist Open Houses for 10 years. A sample of her work can be viewed at the Saatchi Gallery Online website.

For comments, enquiries, or if you would like to buy or commission a picture, please contact Agnes by email: anyes@hotmail.co.uk,  mobile: 07887217216 or on Facebook: facebook.com/AgnesChevalierDesign


 

 

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Posted 15:59 Wednesday, Jul 22, 2020 In: Arts News

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