PHIL MAXWELL

A new exhibition has opened at the Bluecoat gallery which features artists Joshua Henderson and Veronica Watson. Both are part of the ‘Blue Room’ initiative which forms part of Bluecoat’s inclusive arts programme. On the opening night last Friday both artists spoke to visitors about their work. The exhibition is accompanied by an excellent short film which illustrates the practice of the artists and contains a wonderfully straightforward explaination of what they do. Joshua says “I’ve been an artist since I was about five years old”. Perhaps this is an understatement. I was fortunate to be given a short guided tour by Joshua and loved his passion for the iconic Liverpool buildings he’s painted onto cardboard. The etchings he made in the Bluecoat print studio are brilliant.

Some of Joshua Henderson’s Liverpool buildings painted on cardboard. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

Joshua Henderson talking to visitors about his work. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

An etching of the Anglican Cathedral by Joshua Henderson. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

Veronica Watson has been a Blue Room member for ten years and now has her own studio. She loves her studio and producing art. Her stylish portraits capture the personalities of her subjects and I loved her self portrait. She persuades people she meets to let her take their photograph with her ipad and then produces her drawings. Considering most ipad portraits and selfies are never printed I think Veronica’s transformation of her digital images into marvellous drawings is powerful. This exhibition is well worth a visit and finishes on March 10th.

Two of Veronica Watson’s subjects: Angela Hayden and her daughter Elizabeth Hayden. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

Portrait of Angela Hayden by Veronica Watson. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

Portrait of Elizabeth Hayden by Veronica Watson. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

Veronica Watson next to some of her portraits. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

Veronica Watson with her self portrait. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

Veronica Watson (self portrait). Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

Scarborough based artist Jade Montserrat has made large scale charcoal drawings on the walls of another Bluecoat gallery using related quotaions from a variety of sources. I particularly liked the quotations photographed below.

Charcoal drawing by Jade Montserrat. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

Charcoal drawing by Jade Montserrat. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

In the centre of the space is a silver structure which signifies a safe space. Jade Montserrat says “The structure is trying to work through materialising what the structure of a safe space could be. It was important for me that it was built with robust materials that can be repurposed. It also strengthens the idea of safety, care, protection and something beyond survival premised on catastrophe or crisis”. The exhibition finishes on March 10th.

A view of the gallery featuring the silver structure. Bluecoat gallery, Liverpool 2018.

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