A Sunday Gallery Hop Around Newcastle’s Not-To-Be-Missed Art Exhibitions

Back to Back is showing ceramics by Claire Locker-Potter and works on paper by Julie Baigent until Sunday April 10. I find this little gallery endearing. It is small, generally filled with ceramics and the walls adorned with paintings or photographs. It is easy to feel sensory overload when trying to take in the details of each piece, yet that is its character. While Newcastle Studio Potters and Back to Back Galleries pride themselves on showing quality work, sometimes the volume makes it difficult to view each piece in isolation. That being said, it is thrilling when you find �the’ little gem. This discovery will be different for each person who visits. This time for me was small painted ceramic pendants by one of my former students Anne Rok. They were not a part of the main show, yet they called out to me - simple, unique, lovely really.

Walking a few doors up, the regal, high quality Cooks Hill Galleries is showing recent paintings by Rick Everingham. �Bella Italia’ is on display until April 18th. The gallery itself has the charm of a ginger bread house with its double-pitched roof and yellow cladding. It’s reputation as one of Newcastle’s longstanding quality galleries is a draw card. While I have always enjoyed Everingham’s Italian villas, it is his ability to paint water and its reflections that inspire me. Venice is a perfect setting for proving his abilities.

Walking now to the end of Bull Street I say a quick hello to the owner of Forsight Gallery and peruse the current solo exhibition of another former student, Ben Kenning. It is so good to see his tribal street vibe evolving yet again. These works are customarily large, yet the layering is more complex. The result is energetic, mesmerising, rather enigmatic paintings. Another thing I find inspiring is the effort he has put into establishing himself as an artist post-education. He has regular shows, has been prolific in his creation of quality work, and markets himself well. He should be an inspiration to up and coming artists.

Finally, my Sunday gallery hop ended in Annie Street, Wickham at ASW (Art Systems Wickham). This is a mod little gallery complete with a bonsai garden in the entry courtyard. I find it a pleasing space and the lighting is flattering for the works on display. I was not disappointed. �Egress’ by Nicole Chaffey is on display until April 3. Chaffey, like Kenning, has made the daunting leap from student to artist, and has done so successfully. She is known for her large-scale abstract landscapes; however, it is nice to see her offer slightly smaller works. Her choice of colours and juxtaposition creates rich, harmonious, pleasing works that engage you and allow you to discover exciting little nuances with each gaze.