Jesus Still Hangs On.

Colour, ideas and contrasts in Bachene show

Expect a riot of colour, challenging ideas and exciting contrasts of textures at Anna Bachene’s solo exhibition Secrets and Stories in the Zoom Arts Gallery at Warrior Square station. Zoom’s Susan Cleland fills in the background.

A St Leonards resident since 2010, Anna lived for many years in the culturally vibrant area of Brixton in south London. At art college she studied stained glass, kiln-formed glass and interior design. Always seeking to explore new methods and principles of design, her further studies included mosaics, decoupage, metal sculpture and jewellery.

The Parade.

Throughout her career, Anna has travelled extensively, loving and absorbing many exotic art influences, ranging from Islamic tiles to Russian icons. All of this is reflected in her own art, in tune with her hunger for colour and her passion for unique fabrics.

When she moved to St Leonards, she and a like-minded friend formed Collectable Icons, creating pieces with both religious and contemporary themes. These are still part of her output, but over the past few years her mixed media focus has moved forward to include larger abstract pieces, often merging painting with collage.

A member of Zoom Arts for four years, Anna has exhibited in London, Hastings and St Leonards. “I like to create crowd scenes, mixing people from different centuries and cultures in unusual situations,” she says. “I have been greatly influenced by artists like Peter Blake, Richard Hamilton, and this year’s exhibition by Steve Farthing at the De La Warr Pavilion.

“I love St Leonards and Hastings because of their diversity, their varied and sometimes bohemian society. I enjoy the sea, the sun and the active arts and music scene. Every night there’s something happening.”

Original artwork, prints, cards and icons will be on sale at the exhibition. Where else could you meet Cary Grant, Captain Kirk, Princess Diana and the last Czar of Russia sharing a single canvas?

Secrets and Stories Mixed Media Exhibition by Ann Bachene. Zoom Arts Gallery, St Leonards Warrior Square Station, Kings Road, St Leonards-on-Sea TN37 6HL. To Sunday 11 June, 10.30am-4.30pm. Private view Friday 9 June, 7-9.30pm.

Secret Life.

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