Visual Arts

What is the idea behind Art4Essex?

Art4Essex are a small group of professional artists, mainly based in Essex, who hold the same beliefs with regards to exhibiting art, networking and art in the community. We offer support to each other by pooling resources, information, knowledge and contacts.

As well as being artists, all members act as agents, couriers and publicists for the other members. Our main aim is to exhibit our art in the public arena and to obtain higher visibility for all self-representing artists.

Available wall space for exhibiting seems to be a permanent problem for several reasons. Firstly, there isn't enough of it. Secondly, a lot of it is owned by people or organisations that are not actually producing art.

Our secondary aim is to provide a safe way for any artist who can't attend exhibitions in person, to get their work displayed.

When an artist entrusts us to represent them in an exhibition they will know their artwork is being properly looked after, as it is under the care of a fellow artist. In this way, our artwork can be displayed and sold all over the country, with the additional support of the other collectives in our network.

Which artists are involved in the group?

Andrea Farmer, Jenny Day, Sevina Yates, Pietro Cantoro, Amanda Hunt, Douglas Payne, Gemma Climpson, Rob Kirbyson and Tony Broadbent.

How important is it to get art out of the gallery and in to the community?

Very. There is no substitute for standing in front of a real artwork, seeing a painting, sculpture or installation with your own eyes and to see the passion and energy that the artist has put into it.

Work by Art4Essex member, Sevina Yates

Being artists represented by artists means we can cut out the middle man, which means reasonable prices for the public.

With the help of low cost exhibition venues, this gives greater opportunities for perspective buyers to view our art how it is intended to be seen, for real and in the flesh.

Art4Essex are keen to promote art in the local community with involvement in community and charity fundraising projects.

Aside from each artist exhibiting their own artwork, we have a social aim based around bringing the community together to discover and enjoy art; regardless of age, gender, skill, education or experience.

The group take local art out into the community

Art4Essex also aim to raise the profile of Essex, challenging perceptions of the county whilst promoting Essex as an exciting and vibrant place to live, work and visit particularly in the area of arts and culture.

What venues have you exhibited at?

All artists exhibit on a solo basis and in other group shows. Art4Essex and the Rogue Gene Collective have exhibited in the last year at Shire Hall, Chelmsford. Plus, Underline 2, The Cellar Bar & Bistro, Chelmsford and Original Art Exhibitions, Addingham, West Yorkshire.

Many artists have also donated artworks to charity fundraising auctions and events including the Helen Rollason Cancer Heal Charity, 'ArtsMart' and Braintree District Arts, Farleigh Hospice and the Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital in Cheshire.

Tell us about some of the art collectives that you have worked with?

We are part of a growing network of regional art collectives that includes Art4Cheshire, Rogue Gene Collective, The Art Collective Scotland and Original Art Exhibitions.

The group pool their resources and knowledge

Despite our different locations, we share the same aims and beliefs, networking together online and at exhibitions and social events. We all share the same passion for art, exhibiting and supporting fellow artists and our local communities.

Where will Art4Essex be visiting in the near future?

Artists from Art4Essex and the Rogue Gene Collective will be holding an exhibition of affordable artworks under the atrium at The Meadows Shopping Centre in Chelmsford on Saturday, 21, July. 

It is open from 9am until 6pm and you will be able to meet some of the artists involved in these groups and chat to them about their work.

There will be a variety of artworks for sale including abstract, landscape, seascape, sunset, still life and figurative works in many mediums.