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Avian Botanicals

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 13:01:34 GMT

Avian Botanicals by Alison Parks

Alison Parks aka Ali-P is a BA Hons graduate in Visual Communication, has an impressive background in illustration, graphic design, and public art. Her latest collection, Avian Botanicals showcases her ability to translate the beauty of the natural world into stunning visual art.

“Our connection to the natural world is a powerful source of inspiration to me,” says Ali P. “I try to infuse my sense of wonder and appreciation of nature into my work. I relish all the little details in plants and birds and enjoy close-up observation of them. I’d like to engage the viewer and for them to feel immersed in the paintings as I immerse myself in nature.’

Ali’s work is vibrant and full of patterns and she loves to use rich colour palettes.

As well as painting birds and plants Ali loves to create portraits of strong iconic females. Her Sinead O’connor and Amy Winehouse prints have been great sellers. She also sells beautiful soft cushions with her patterns on them.

You can see more of her work on her website www.alip-art.com and Instagram http://www.instagram.com/ali_p_art

My Soul

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 17:06:09 GMT

My Soul

My name is Mahsa. I arrived in Belfast in 2020 following a long and arduous journey from my home city of Shiraz in Iran. My reasons for leaving Iran are many, but my story is so much more than a refugee seeking sanctuary in Belfast. I am a mother of 3 beautiful children, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a niece and a friend.

The exhibition I have created, invites you to catch a glimpse into My Soul.

I have always loved creating things. From a young age I learnt various skills from my mother. It is a tradition in my culture to paint, weave, draw, write and express yourself using creative arts. As a child I was rarely seen without a notebook, sketchbook or some sort of material that helped me to create. Sadly, this innocent and beautiful way of life gets eroded when you grow up, and my life took a different direction. I studied Microbiology and my creative explorations had to stop.

My journey to this exhibition has been filled with many highs and lows. Adjusting to a new way of life in the UK has not been without its challenges. Like many newcomers, I have experienced the very best of people and the very worst.

I want this exhibition to speak of my love for creating, and how a passion, that was once lost, has been reignited to bring me to where I am today.

I hope this exhibition can serve as an intimate window into many layers of My Soul by giving a voice to emotions that words cannot always express and will stand as a testament to the power of art that can heal and transcend the borders. My work represents the values that I hold most dear - family, community, faith and the rich heritage of Iranian and Celtic cultures.

Each brushstroke carries the legacy of my mother’s teachings and finding peace and balance in my new life here in Northern Ireland...

Yesterday's News

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:01:33 GMT

Yesterday's News

My name is Isabelle and I live in Northern Ireland with my husband Alan and darling standard poodle Willow. I have three grown up children who I love to bits. I have been drawing, painting and sewing since I was a child. I can’t remember a time when art and creativity were not a substantial part of my life. My mother was a stitcher and there was always lots of scrap fabric to be had at home. I would make simple little dresses for my dolls and as time went by they became more elaborate.

The Exhibition by Isabelle Ewing can be viewed at Arts for All till 15th November 2024.

Changes

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 20:17:46 GMT

Changes

Opening nights for exhibitions are always filled with energy and excitement! It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the creativity of local artists. On November 7th, we’re thrilled to host Ross Miley for his third exhibition. We invite you to join us at 6 PM!

Ross Miley is an artist based in Greyabbey, Co. Down. He studied Fine Art at Manchester school of Art, graduating with first class honours in July 2022, winning the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts (MAFA) painting award. Since then, he has become an associate member of MAFA as-well-as completing two solo exhibitions at the Katie Lindsay Gallery (2022) and Arts for All, Belfast (2023), with a third upcoming exhibition at Arts for All, Belfast (Nov. 2024).

This body of work delves into the interplay between nature, mood, and the transient beauty of changing seasons. Through abstract expressionism, the aim is to capture the delicate yet bold emotions that landscapes evoke, transforming them into vibrant, imaginary realms.

A palette of bright colours reflects the energy and dynamism of nature, inviting viewers to experience a sense of movement and change. Each brushstroke serves as a dialogue between the internal landscape of the mind and the external world, visualizing emotional states influenced by the shifting seasons. The goal is to create immersive mind-scapes that resonate with personal experiences of nature and emotion. By blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination, a sense of wonder is evoked, fostering a deeper connection to the beauty and complexity of both the natural world and our inner lives.

Exhibition can be viewed at Arts for All's John Luke Gallery till 16th November 2024.

The Wallflower that Bloomed

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:26:30 GMT

The Wallflower that Bloomed

Olalekan Kushimo

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 18:22:27 GMT

"My City My View"

My name is Olalekan Kushimo and I am a self-taught artist from Lagos, Nigeria. I have been doing art for more than three decades and I’ve engaged in several exhibitions both in Nigeria, Europe and America. My style of art known as Ila, that means lines or patterns, and it can be traced to ancient language in the Eastern part of Nigeria and tribal marks from the West, combined with other historical symbols from different tribes of Africa. These patterns are uniquely identified in most of my art pieces and are strategically designed to tell the stories behind my paintings.

I have been able to recreate the English alphabet representation, in my own way with the use of these African languages and patterns. This helps me engage collectors, clients and art lovers who have found my work intriguing; making my style of art uniquely different.

My form of art is strongly motivated and inspired by my favourite quote by Christopher Alexander, describing 'patterns as a problem that occurs in a given environment, and in it is a solution that can be used multiple times, without using it the same way to form an impression’.

My current solo art exhibition titled “My City My View” is cantered around empowering women, highlighting both the struggles and pain they encounter in relationships, friendships, partnerships or marriages. It is a recognition of their courage and influence on our society.

My patterns tell most of these stories in all mediums, from acrylic to oil on canvas, abstracts and digital art. These paintings can now be found in our online collection of designs of shoes, hoodies, t-shirts and phone accessories as we are currently launching an online store, that can be visited through the link: http://www.kush-ila.info/

Kush

New Book by Carol Ann Creagh

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 18:22:27 GMT

It started with a cheque...

One day I was rummaging through my memory box for old letters from my dad and I came across the little blue box that so long ago had contained my nurses fob watch. The Ingersoll watch now long gone but what the box still held was priceless. An old cheque dated 22nd Sept 1975. A time long gone but when I held that tiny piece of paper it transported me back to the foyer of Erskine House Nurses Home and my dad squeezing that cheque into the palm of my hand on my first day of nursing.

Welcome to Arts for All!

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:22:27 GMT

Welcome to Arts for All!

At Arts for All, we believe that creativity knows no boundaries and we would like you to join us in this vibrant journey of creativity and connection.

Arts for All was founded on the principle that art is a universal language, one that can bring people together, inspire dialogue, and celebrate diversity. A strong community is the heartbeat of any arts organization. Our mission is to provide a platform for individuals of all backgrounds to engage with the arts—whether through participation in workshops, exhibitions, or community events. We recognize that each voice adds to the collective narrative, making our creative landscape more dynamic and inclusive.

At Arts for All, we are committed to creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. Our programs are designed to break down barriers and encourage participation from all segments of our community. Whether you’re an artist, a curious beginner, or someone who appreciates the arts, we want you to feel at home here.

As the coordinator of Arts for All, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to each of you. My journey in the arts began as a passionate artist, and I understand first-hand the transformative power of creativity. Art has always been my refuge and my voice, allowing me to express my thoughts and emotions in ways that words sometimes cannot.

At Arts for All, we celebrate this same spirit of expression and connection. I truly believe that art brings us together, bridging gaps and fostering understanding within our diverse community. I invite you to participate in our programs, attend our events, and share your stories. Your unique perspective enriches our collective experience and makes our community vibrant and dynamic.

Together, let’s nurture our creativity and support one another on this journey. I can’t wait to see what we will create together!

Warmly,

Kasia Kochanska

Co-Ordinator of Arts for All