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www.ilkestonlife.com ILKESTON LIFE August 2021 20
Arts Culture
&

rom my earliest recollections I have been fascinated by the
world of Art ; it was the one subject throughout my brief
early education that resonated deeply with me, much to the
Ian Fink ed it as no more than a recreational activity ; the only support being
Fdismissal of my academically minded teachers who regard-
from my Art teacher at the local secondary school.
Surprisingly even he failed to inform me that I could have gone
on to develop my passion at Art College, which at fifteen years old
I didn’t even know existed.
After several years as a trainee Commercial artist and later a
press operator in a nearby factory, my partner at the time suggested
I apply for a Foundation Course in Art Studies leading to degree
level.
It was then that I left the precarious occupation as press opera-
tor where regular visits to an adjacent hospital were commonplace
(l was lucky to escape with minor cuts) and embarked on a five
year long study of Art and Art History.

Tupac 2 (pencil) Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov (pencil) Paradise is not for the weak (digital) Nas (pencil)

Tattoo Flash (pencil over Xerox) Return to the Garden (digital) Scapegoat with Genelva Meikle (spraycan)

Fortunately I had already paid enough income designs. This proved a really positive experience
tax to qualify for an independent grant otherwise it for me as the work was acknowledged in an Inter-
would not have been possible. national publication.
I have never looked back and will always remem- At present I fluctuate between Digital work,
ber the encouragement from my work mates the Spray can and on rare occasions like to revisit
day I finally left the shop floor. my Traditional roots especially portraiture when
With new found enthusiasm and dedication I suitably inspired.
went on in later years to exhibit around the region I consider all forms of Artistic expression
including Nottingham Castle Museum, Notting- as not only valid but essential, and always seize
ham Broadway cinema ( a projected installation), opportunities to explore new avenues and chal-
Birmingham Royal Society, Derby Museum and lenges as this provides the means for expansion
Art Gallery and Erewash Museum in Ilkeston as and growth in attempting to interpret and decipher
well as numerous private Solo and Group shows in the world around us.
Nottingham (particularly the Street Art Exhibitions My sincere thanks go to Paul Opiah at ‘U
at the Surface Gallery where I was resident for a Choose Smoothie Bar’ in Ilkeston for his kind invi-
short time) and Sheffield. tation to share a variety of my work with you.
Also a brief involvement with the Tattoo world
resulted in an invite and visit to the US to show my
Amanda (pencil) Still (digital)