In The Flesh nudes art show, Sheppey
There is still time to catch a titillating art show on the Isle of Sheppey.
In The Flesh, which strips away the mysteries of life drawing, reveals the naked truth at Nicole Mollett’s gallery until the end of the month.
It features paintings and sketches created by members of the Swale Life Drawing club. Admission is free.
The exhibition has been curated by Island artists and club founders John Gervaux-Ross and Laurie Harpum.
Laurie said: “John and I used to run the Sheppey Art Society and had life drawing sessions three or four times a year. But they weren’t particularly well attended by members.
“However, John and I thought we’d have a go at setting up a specific life drawing class and we have been flabbergasted by the response. We have been going nearly three years and now have more than 40 members. About 20 come to each session. It has proved really popular.”
She added: “They are not just Sheppey people either, they also come from the Medway Towns, Maidstone and along the coast.”
The club meets fortnightly on Tuesday evenings at the former Sheerness Dockyard Church in Blue Town.
Laurie said: “It’s a different way to create communities. It takes you away from everyday worries and leaves you feeling quite refreshed. Sometimes we have complete beginners but everyone chips in to give them a hand.”
So how does one become a model?
Laurie said: “Primarily, you need to be able to sit still and hold a pose. It’s all very well doing something dynamic but if you have to keep that pose for 20 minutes you could end up in trouble.”
She added “John’s the main model-getter. I believe he has trouble finding models sometimes. But he always pulls it off.”
John said he uses mainly agency models although some new ones were coming through.
He said: “Because we create all this art, we decided to put on a bit of a display.
“We are here at the gallery every weekend in October between 11am and 4pm to showcase what we do and hopefully encourage more people to join us.”
He admitted he was “a bit worried” when the club began.
He explained: “I used to go to Maidstone for life drawing but wondered if there was anything closer to home. I looked around and there wasn’t. So, I spoke to Laurie and we decided to start our own group.
“We thought we might get three or four and were a bit worried about being out of pocket having to pay the model. But 20 people turned up that first night! We now have a regular group.”
He added: “It’s not about the standard of the work, although we have some very accomplished artists, but it’s really about people creating art, picking up pencils and having a go.”
Nicole Mollett opened her gallery in the former Sheerness Economical Society shop in Queenborough High Street earlier this year as part of the Festival of Sheppey.
She said: “It’s fantastic and exciting to see so much creativity here celebrating a group which has been running for over two years. I’ve attended it myself.
“When Laurie and John approached me with this show it was an instant ‘yes’ for me because I know they are so passionate about making other people explore their creativity. I had no doubt it would be good. As I was helping to hang it, I was blown away by the standard.
“Obviously, its naked bodies but the level of variety is astounding with different subjects and the massive range of different techniques and drawing styles makes it a beautiful experience.”
Ironically, it is a bit like a homecoming for the building. A former owner also kept a number of erotic pieces on the premises.
Nicole explained: “Most people know it as the former Co-op shop. Since we opened in June we have had loads of people coming in, sticking their heads round the door and saying things like they used to buy their school uniforms here.
"But other remember the former owner who was also an artist. He was a lovely guy, a very intelligent and charming person who also happened to make erotic art!
“If you are lucky enough to be invited to our house for tea you will go up the stairs and find some rather unusual sculptures on the hallway. We don’t want to remove them because they are a memory of him
“Yes, I’ve been hearing all sorts of stories about the kinds of things which took place in this house so I think he would have been very happy with this show!”
She also hit out at suggestions Sheppey was a cultural desert.
She said: “I’m fine with people thinking that but I know they are wrong, so I don’t need to argue with them.
“It’s funny that the cliché that Sheppey is somehow less cultured than other places in Kent still persists. It simply isn’t true. Obviously, there is a lot of deprivation and antisocial behaviour here but there are also loads of free activities, artists and writers.
“This weird mix of industry and nature attracts more unusual people who want to be inspired but what isn’t the normal. If anything, it is a hotbed of artists. But perhaps it is just as well that isn’t so well known.
“Once it gets more popular, that could be the death of it. As soon as anyone thinks it’s a good place that’s the end.
“Look at Whitstable! I’m not saying Whitstable isn’t nice. I know a lot of nice people who live there. But I also know people who absolutely hate the amount of people who visit the town because it has become so fashionable.
“So, we have to tread cautiously. They say be careful of what you wish for. I certainly apply that to Sheppey!”
Cllr Mike Whiting (Ind, Queenborough and Halfway) was at the show’s opening.
He has also launched his own Sheppey Prize as part of next year’s Festival of Sheppey to showcase artists who paint on or about the island.
He said: “Exhibitions like this, and what the guys are doing in Queenborough, is symptomatic of the flourishing art scene now on Sheppey. It’s a really vibrant, lively scene.
“In fact, since I launched the Sheppey Prize, I have met so many artists on Sheppey who I simply didn’t know were here. Those people are passionate about Sheppey and the art they produce. The Sheppey Prize is designed to link those two together.”
· In The Flesh runs Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm throughout October at the Sheerness Economical Society Gallery, 127 High Street, Queenborough, ME11 5QA. Free.
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