Off the Kerbs latest exhibition pays homage to three remarkable artists and consists of collaborations, travel experiences and empowerment.

Front gallery, Justine Austen and Andrew Weatherill embark on a spectacular collaboration – ‘Between and Beyond’. Austen being a jeweller and Weatherill, a skilled printmaker – both engage in artistic integrity to create something beyond viewer’s ideations. Their personal artistic devices bring forward a confluence of both interactive and inventive installations, providing the chance to become more involved with the pieces. In this collaboration Austen and Wetherill have created a diverse space connecting the bodies of artistic interest into measured pieces creating a stimulated environment. Weatherill, using the mats from the printmaker machine, has turned something intrinsic into something artistically established. Whereas Austen’s forte for jewelry has filled the room with colourful builders wire draped over shaped concrete.

Attached to the string are pieces of handmade jewelry –methodically segued into the pieces. Highly impressed by Austen’s dominant sense of creativity the plinth comprising of the stop-motion video of the miniature sculpture rested on the top – was hand made. When looking at the felt mats the tonal range in the room brings out a transitional vibe, illuminating the room and bringing the pieces together. Rested on the wall is another one of Austen’s enthusing pieces, the A-shaped type concrete slab with the hole in it is painted in gold leaf – leaving the impression of it belonging to a bracelet or necklace. Once you get an idea of what the work is about you come the terms with it on a larger scale and see how it represents being an aperture for jewellery. 
The abstract cuts in the mat give off the sense of exploration between body and architecture – surrounded by a man-made environment, it connects to the message Austen and Weatherill are trying to denote.

Back gallery, ‘Run, Milly, Run’, is Dominic Sowersby’s surreal portrayal of animals, inspiring a creative twist on past pieces. Inspired by his trip to Indonesia, Sowersby’s cognition of his time away has influenced this current body of work. Sowersby used surroundings as tools to deploy within his series. Basics such as, branches, sticks, houses, monuments were all sources utilized to serve function in the artificial bodies of the animals. Sowersby’s experimental contributions to these animals delicately emphasises the line work, keeping it simple yet limited. Sowebry’s series are immensely visual – you need to take the time to scan through and absorb the beauty within what he’s drawn and visually roused. 



Upstairs gallery, ‘Small Acts of Resistance’ by Tao Lee counteracts between the beauty and the dark nature of the women presented in the portraits. Her twist on myths and fairytales delves into a deeper meaning than ‘happily ever-after’. These soft-featured women are surrounded by a sullen atmosphere – enclosed in gold frames enhancing the nostalgic beauty of these women, carrying a more softened stance to their tragedy. Tao provides a strong platform for these women – despite the misfortune, these women are fighters and they’re in charge of their own life, slowly trying to reclaim their personal authority and strength. Our instant acknowledgment for these women grows as each portrait progresses, seeing them more than just aesthetically picturesque; we soon develop a sense of awareness, which taps into their stoic nature and detrimental pasts.

Decorated by flowers, it highlights the notion of growth and new beginnings. The dark beauties behind these portraits are undeniable – the way these heroines are represented projects a strong front of emotional pain and their need to overcome obstacles and grow from tumultuous experiences. These reforming heroines are more than just a representation of strength and beauty – their unfortunate circumstances revert to women everywhere, empowering and inspiring them. Adjacent the portraits, Tao have also decorated the room with flowers, which settle on the windowsill, bringing illumination and comfort to the room. Tao’s work is nothing short of talent – her creativity and conceptual consciousness resonates throughout the series. Engaging viewers whilst proclaiming universal awareness.

Another great representation of artists and their works – bringing together three very diverse themes and concepts the entirety of the exhibition came together remarkably.