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Artist Jordan Rogers
A sure sign that summer has arrived is when Southport Contemporary Art’s (SCA) flagship gallery – the ArtHouse – opens its doors to its Summer Open Exhibition. SCA has a reputation for bringing together high quality contemporary art and craft from both emerging and established artists.
“We’re all a bit fed up of grey skies and rain, so what better way to get the summer off to a great start, than with a real splash of uplifting colour in our ‘Summer Colour’ exhibition,” said SCA co-director Norrie Bewick-Calvert. “We’re excited to be hosting work from the wider community and reviewing the submissions for our Summer Open ’24 looks like being a really interesting and uplifting show.”
This year’s Summer Open will demonstrate the scope of creativity and artistic talent across the region. There will be plenty to attract even the most discerning connoisseur, ranging from hand-thrown ceramics to mixed media works and documentary photography.
In a change from her usual collage approach, local mixed-media artist, Suzanna Gregg’s eruption of colourful mark making was the result of a recent investigation into recycling. “I made this painting in the garden one day. I had some tins of emulsion/test pots so decided to use them,” she said.
“On a beautiful, sunny, summer day, I went into the garden, picked up a couple of garden canes, and drizzled the paint onto the canvas. It was motivated by the desire to use the dregs of the paint rather than throw it away. My inspiration was the season of summer, the warmth of the sun, the colourful flowers and the gentle buzzing of the bees.”
Multidisciplinary artist Fai McCabe, based in Liverpool, also enjoys experimenting with new techniques and processes. For her ‘Famous Faces’ collection, Fai has drawn upon her teenage fascination with puzzles – reassembling the tiles from a Rubik cube has resulted in a series of inventive portraits.
“It was through the Rubik’s cube that led me to discover beauty in the imperfect patterns that emerge when scrambled.,” she said. “Up close, the image is overwhelmed by tiny squares of colour, making it barely discernible. However, as you step back, the images become more recognizable, creating a sense of familiarity and connection with the viewer.”
Lewis McWilliam Smith combines skills honed at The City of Liverpool Arts Centre with his study of popular music at John Moores University. “My journey through these diverse artistic avenues has sculpted my unique perspective, blending elements of history, music, and imagination into my work,” he said.
However, Lewis feels most a home behind the lens. “When I’ve got my camera in my hand, it’s not just about snapping shots for me – it’s about channelling my inner film director,” he said. “It’s about capturing the essence of a story in a single, powerful image, and that’s where the real magic happens.”
Jordan Rodgers’ charcoal drawings show Poland’s industrial legacy through an artist’s eye. “Carrying a sketchbook with me, I document moments through quick sketches or notes, capturing the essence of places, buildings, and experiences,” he said.
His charcoal drawing of the iconic Krystyna Shaft, in Bytom, captures the vibrancy inherent in the city’s industrial pulse. Amid local debates over its potential demolition, Jordan’s artwork pays homage to the intrinsic value and architectural significance of Silesian industrial heritage.
This year’s Summer Open begins with a special preview evening from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday, June 25 and runs until July 13. It takes places at ArtHouse, 65 Eastbank Street, Southport. For more information, visit here.
Location: Southport in Sefton, Merseyside
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