Search Form

ROCK STAR TURN ARTIST JOHN SQUIRE LAUNCHES NEW SOCIAL ENTERPRISE TO SUPPORT CREATIVE TALENT

Former Stone Roses guitarist and songwriter, now critically acclaimed artist, John Squire is lending his hand and his artwork to supporting a new social enterprise in Yorkshire...

5th May 2010
 

............PRESS RELEASE.......... PRESS RELEASE..........PRESS RELEASE..........

ROCK STAR TURN ARTIST JOHN SQUIRE LAUNCHES NEW SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
TO SUPPORT CREATIVE TALENT

Former Stone Roses guitarist and songwriter, now critically acclaimed artist, John Squire is lending his hand and his artwork to supporting a new social enterprise in Yorkshire, to fire up culture lovers across the city with his 'Structural Violence?" exhibition running from 7th May to 21st May.

Showcasing pieces from his exhibition at the opening of the first of its kind, non-for-profit, artistic hub in York, John is keen to help ignite the city's Cultural Quarter through the 7,000 sq ft site.

Share


Squire, who created the Stone Roses Jackson Pollock influenced album cover art, and is now a highly regarded and sought-after contemporary artist has had his work described as "Bold and dynamic and saturated with emotion" by Saatchi Art and Music Magazine. His 'Structural Violence?" exhibition on display at the new Bar Lane Studios blends block colour and stark monotone, using hard carved block prints, exploring the influence of architectural structures and linear cityscapes.

The studios - a UK first in terms of its scope - has been developed as a social enterprise by York illustrator Ben Clowes, who teaches fine arts and drawing at York College and Northumbria University, to provide an outlet for the region's creative talent, and as a venue is looking to support new emerging artists.

Funded by York St John University, Science City York and the York Council, Bar Lane Studios opens with a free exhibition and chance to explore the facilities, where artists can rent studios from as little as £1.50 per day.

York St John will also be sponsoring 5 graduates from York through a graduate scheme giving the students free space within the studio along with a bursary for 1 year, providing a unique opportunity for any budding Artist to embrace their talents in a creative and inspiring environment.

As one of the largest Visual Arts Centres in Yorkshire with up to 22 Studio Spaces, a Print Workshop, an Apple Mac Suite, a Showcase Gallery and a community cafe, Bar Lane Studios will hold various courses, workshops, networking events and seminars, a perfect resource for the whole community.

Providing a celebration of great art and cultural diversity brought together in the historic capital of the North, the press launch event runs from 7 - 9pm with and there will be a private viewing, invitation only audience with John Squire between 7 - 8pm.

Some of the UK's most esteemed national and international artists are to be showcased at the Bar Lane Studios including Nathan Walsh, a Yorkshire artist who will be creating 2 paintings for the Jerusalem Museum on site and showcasing one of these at the event. Also local artist David Patrick from York Open Studios is taking space at the Bar Lane.

Trained at the Cambridge School of illustration and Design, Project Manager Ben Clowes said: "The exhibition provides the public of York a wonderful opportunity not only to view a wide-ranging selection of quality artwork but also to purchase work to add to personal collections or to enhance the workplace. It's something for the whole community to be proud of and graduates of Yorkshire will be given facilities to support their talents and established artists will be able to use the creative space to enhance their collections and come up with really inspiring stuff."

A range of Artist Studio Space will be available on ‘easy in, easy out' monthly terms and there will be five individual studios ranging from 100 sq ft to 215 sq ft, with an open studio of 10 partitioned hot space studios.

- ends -

Editor's Notes:
Squire, 44, formed the Stone Roses with his then best friend Ian Brown during the early 80s, and their band went on to achieve cult status. He was known for his spiralling riffs and live solos, and splitting with the Roses in 1996.
A full Print Workshop with Screen Printing, Relief Printing and Etching Courses and Workshops will be available, including an afternoon workshop in July held by esteemed local artist Piers Browne. The Print Room will also be open to monthly and annual subscriptions for artists wishing to take advantage of the facilities.
The Apple Mac Suite will hold Courses for beginners as well as advanced classes and will run a Digital Youth Class on a Saturday morning.
Courses and Workshops from Life Drawing, Painting for Beginners (as well an Advanced Painting Course to be held by one of the country's up and coming painters Nathan Walsh), to Photography and Jewellery Design will be held throughout the year.
For more information please visit www.barlanestudios.com
High res images attached
ROCK STAR TURN ARTIST'S NEW LAUNCH