Rope Store Gallery, Quay Arts, Sat 30 Jul – Sat 10 Sep 2011

Peter Slight and Sarah Shaw from Worthing bring a fun, family based exhibition of quirky, curious, mixed media models, paper engineered pictures and embellished photographs all inspired by nature and British wildlife to Quay Arts’ Rope Store Gallery.

Peter’s images are heavily influenced by folk tales and fables which give a strong narrative feel. His style draws upon children’s book illustration from the 50's 60's and 70's. The work is made by cutting sections out of thin card, layering them, allowing each consecutive layer to show through. Peter aims to produce work that is ambiguous, yet evocative, leaving space for the viewer to form their own conclusions

The models are sculpted from polystyrene and mixed media materials, and then covered in air drying clay. He draws influence from the sculptors Giles Penny and Philip Jackson, for their representation of the human form, often in quirky humorous ways. Within Peter’s naturalistic themes, the solitary everyman is often portrayed with his eyes closed as though in sleepy contemplation or with a menagerie of animals in playful interaction.

Sarah’s images are predominately inspired by nature. She tries to convey the sense of being alone in a landscape yet simultaneously the sensation of oneness with the surroundings. She focuses on sparse landscapes and detailed abstract forms resulting in a new way of seeing a calm and simple beauty. Ultimately Sarah aims for a form of aesthetic escapism.

Sarah’s work draws influence from photographers such as Wolfgang Tillmans, Stephen Shore, William Eggleston, Philip-Lorca diCorcia and also from the paintings of Pollock and Cy Twombly.

She enhances her generally untouched images by printing onto canvas or heavyweight textured paper and by then either using oil paint or thread, she works to strengthen line and contrast whilst also adding a further textural element and individuality.

All works are for sale and some can be purchased through the Own Art scheme. Please see a member of staff at Quay Arts reception if you wish to purchase an artwork. Many works are also available to take away on the same day as purchase.