The next exciting exhibition to be held at the Mill Bridge Gallery in Skipton is ‘My Nidderdale with Forest Fusion’ which showcases the work of Nidderdale based Artist Gill Kirk and Skipton based artist Helen Seth.
Gill Kirk has a passion for the local flora and landscapes of the Dales, but particularly her home area of Upper Nidderdale. After a career in teaching Outdoor Education at Bewerley Park Education Centre she has an intimacy and understanding born out of familiarity. Gill is drawn to flora, individual hedges and trees, rocks and field patterns. She was also fortunate to be given an artistic residency by the AONB to respond to the hay meadows of Upper Nidderdale in 2017. This culminated in an exhibition after 18 months of observation.
Gill has always drawn wildflowers so it was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the species. Since then she has focused on the roadside verges; and what she considers important and notable landmarks. Gill’s work is usually print however, as she loves experimenting she will work in all mediums.
Often her prints are hybrids, using different print methods together to create layers giving texture and depth. In this joint exhibition she will be showing her fine art, long with screen printed cushions, machine embroidery and cards.
Helen Seth works in fused glass and mixed media and, as a self-taught fuser, takes an unconventional approach to the media. Helen began fusing glass several years ago to support her young daughter, Charlotte, who was 6 at the time and along the way fell in love with the colours and the science of glass. Helen’s approach to glass uses both of these aspects to create unique pieces, including trees and sheep, which reflect the Dales landscape that inspires her. The resulting pieces are then combined with other media including felt and driftwood to add texture and contrast to her work.
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The Forest Fusion part of the exhibition is centred around a single piece which is a window into the forest outside and Helen invites you to come and look through that window into her world.
The exhibition opens with a preview evening on 29th November where you can meet the artists. This will be held between 6pm and 8pm. The exhibition will then be open during the usual opening hours for the Mill Bridge Gallery from 11pm – 4pm Thursday to Saturday.
