Featuring Artists:
James Gemmill
David Larkham
TIRACHEEP
Citlali Hiro
Josh Jen
JACOBLEU
Stephanie Bing
Vivian Wong
Maurizio Galia
Natalie Maxted
Trinity Ruhl

‘Mind and Matter’ brings together portraits and other works exploring the depth of the human experience – examining both the physical and emotional aspects of who we are. It will reflect on how we perceive the world around us and how our internal worlds shape the way we see and interact with others.

JAMES GEMMILL

@jamesgemmillartist

jamesgemmill.com

A Word From The Artist:

‘Anyone who has a phone with a camera installed can take a photo anywhere, anytime. From there they can resize, recolour, manipulate – and hey presto! A work of art in moments. So why spend the time, expense and stress to create a painting?

For me, it’s not just about the end result. I start an image thinking that I know what I am doing – only to discover that it morphs into something quite different on the way. The images become a record of thought, not just subject matter and the forms, marks and colours that underlie the final image are as important as the surface in determining the success or failure of the piece. I have to go through this process. The thought is like a dream or sometimes a nightmare. But it’s why I do it. That’s what painting is.’

DAVID LARKHAM

@what_larx

David was an award winning painter before being side-tracked by the entertainment business, where his career includes long time service as Elton John’s first art director – as well as being involved in designing and art directing album covers, concert publicity and propaganda for the likes of Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, Queen, Genesis, Rod Steward, Bryan Ferry, Van Morrison and many more. 

During that time, David painted either privately or for commissioned works. In 2010, London’s Royal Academy announced ‘RAW’ as their painting theme, but – instead of the ‘stark and unrefined’ that the Academy had in mind, David chose to interpret ‘raw images files’ – basically ‘digital data’ (or ‘Pixels’), and he has used that to evolve a series of ‘painted pixel’ portraits – exhibited in a pop-up show of ‘Icons and Idols’ at London’s Ilona House in March 2023. In recent years, both painting and designing are part of a visual arts career that continues to evolve. 

TIRACHEEP

@tiracheep

A Word From The Artist:

‘Portraits refer to images of humanism, but what signifies our humanity extends beyond mere physical appearance. The essence of humanity encompasses history, environment, lifestyle, culture, and beliefs as well. Therefore, this collection interprets the term ‘Portraits’ in the context of events that challenge human decision-making.’

CITlALI HARO

@citlali.haro

paligaleria.com

Citali Haro is a Mexican artist based in Mexico City, who grew up in the Sonoran Desert. Her work lies in the intention of creating a narrative based on the juxtaposition of dreams with reality, as well as mundane situations with tinges of irony Her process is a mixture of digital and analog tools, trying to leave a little of both processes directly captured. One of the most present themes in her work is the relationship with the dreamlike subconscious, psychological disorders, existentialism, the constant criticism of domestic comfort and the metabolic disconnection with the outside. 

Citali’s work has been exhibited in different cities and galleries around the world such as Noox Gallery in Miami, aMBUSH Gallery in Sydney, at the Anahuacalli Museum in Mexico City and other galleries in Sonora, Queretaro and Mexico City.

JOSH JEN

@novus.amor

Josh Jen is a London-based artist whose work explores memory, relationships, and their lasting impact. Framed Echoes captures figures suspended between recollection and disappearance, reflecting on how personal connections shape identity over time. Each portrait embodies a moment – some vivid, others fading – illustrating the fluid nature of memory and emotion. Atera exudes self-assurance and distance, while the man with a heart on his chest conveys quiet vulnerability. Lily’s Bloom, with its vibrant yellows set against deep navy tones, encapsulates the tension between joy and sorrow. Through these works, Jen examines how past relationships and experiences continue to shape and define us.

JACOBLEU

@jacobleu_art

Jacobleu, whose real name  is Jacob BLEU, was born in Côte d’Ivoire. A multidisciplinary artist (painter, photographer and writer), Jacobleu has been participating in exhibitions and professional meetings in France, Canada, Greence, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, Morocco, Tunisia, Gabon, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and of course in Côte d’Ivoire for the past 30 years.

A hyper-active artist, Jacobleu published a very educational book entitled ‘Artists and Society’ with Editions L’Harmattan, in Paris in May 2020, in order to also contribute to the writing of the history of African Art. A teacher of pictorial expression, he has trained and supervised several generations of talents who are now the pride of young contemporary creation, including Aboudia, Amakan, Norocos, …

WHEN THE SPIRIT BECOMES BODY…

The spirit of music and dance that create a collective trance is one of Jacobleu’s favourite subjects. Indeed, Jacobleu affirms its identity, its Dan origins, where the mask is an institution of social cohesion, through initiation rites and moments of energy sharing. He interprets it through colourful and shimmering works, in mixed techniques (paintings, pastels, collages) and installation. It takes us on a journey to worlds that are both mystical and festive.

STEPHANIE BING

@ninibing34

Born in 1967 in Mannheim, Germany,  Stephanie Bing graduated with a distinction from high school in Offenburg and later pursued studies in Fine Arts, Photography, and Art History at Johannes Gutenberg University and the Academy of Fine Art in Mainz.

Bing’s paintings are deeply influenced by her travels, particularly in the Balearic Islands and the Caribbean. Her interiors blend classical perspective with vibrant colours and layered compositions, echoing artists like Matisse and Bonnard. Featuring playful juxtapositions of elements like fish, leopards, and ceramics, her works are crafted into luxurious, jewel-box-like settings. She uses old master glazing techniques to enhance the depth and vibrancy of her pieces, creating a personal sense of freedom in her creative process. 

VIVIAN WONG

@wakahwa_

viviwa.myportfolio.com/viviwa

Vivian Wong is a Hong Kong-born, London-based digital illustrator and final-year BA Graphic Design student at Central Saint Martins. Her work explores themes of home, identity, surroundings, and the expressive qualities of the human body through bold, intricate digital illustrations. Drawing from her multicultural experiences, Vivian examines nostalgia and self-discovery in her art. She has showcased her work at events such as the Seoul Illustration Fair, The London Illustrations Fair, and Open Art Spaces Color Show.

This collection captures feeling moments of serenity, longing, and nostalgia through 5 distinctive works. 

‘Afternoon Nap’ reflects a tranquil period of relaxation and creative exploration, inspired by the lightness of post-deadline days and the tender warmth of unspoken feelings.

‘Just Tall Enough to Reach’, drawing from a rooftop view of sunflowers throwing amidst an industrial Hong Kong backdrop, explores themes of unattainable closeness and bittersweet yearning. 

‘Dolls’ emerged during a phase of creative block and detachment from the world. This eerie yet delicate illustration features four smiling, ghostly figures – translucent and grainy in texture – blurring the line between presence and absence.

‘Tram Ride’ captures a girl on a tram in Causeway Bay, her expression indifferent despite the surreal, dreamlike chaos around her. As the tram veers off its rails, the city bursts with magic, yet she remains untouched, embodying a quiet resonance between wonder and apathy.

‘Fallen Neon’, inspired by Pai Hsien-yung’s Taipei People, reimagines the story of Yin Xueyan within the context of old Hong Kong, blending past and present to celebrate enduring beauty and memories frozen in time. 

MAURIZIO GALIA

facebook.com/maurizio.galia.9

MauMaurizio Galia, born in 1963 in Moncalieri (Turin, Italy), is a versatile artist whose career spans various creative fields. He graduated in Fine Arts from the Albertina Academy of Turin in 1986. Starting as an illustrator for advertising, he transitioned into graphic design for publishing, school books, and music labels. Since the mid-1980s, Maurizio has expanded his work to include paintings, books, album covers (LPs and CDs), and graphic novels. With a passion for teaching, he has shared his expertise internationally, including a collaboration with a British Institute in London in 2019. Maurizio values letting the public interpret his works, allowing for a personal connection and understanding of his art.

NATALIE MAXTED

@nataliemaxtedart

nataliemaxted.com

Natalie Maxted is a British/ Finnish/ American artist. She has an undergraduate degree from The University of St Andrews and a MA from The University of Warwick in The History and Business of Art and Collecting. After working within the London art world at Christi’es and other art businesses, she decided to become a full-time artist. Having live in several other countries, Natalie moved from the UK to Florida, shortly after which she became a United States Air Force military widow. She currently resides in Florida.

Internationally, Natalie exhibited in Miami last December during the Miami Art Basel as The Red Dot Art Fair. One of her works ‘Winking’ will be at the New York Artexpo in April 2025, and she’s exhibited work at Art Baho in Barcelona and St.Art Contemporary European Art Fair in Strasbourg. Three of her ‘Pop Culture’ series paintings are in collaboration with the former royal photographer, Allan Warren. In the UK, her work ‘Light and Dark’ was chosen by experts, including an Archbishop, to exhibit at the Chaiya Art Awards at the OXO Tower in London. The King House Gallery, Harbour Fine Art Gallery, and Contemporary Art Fairs have displayed her work, as well as The Foster Gallery, part of the Cultural Artists Alliance, in Miramar Beach, Florida.

Natalie Maxted’s work focuses on acrylic portrait painting in the digital age and she closely associates her work with the Pop Art style. Today, images are edited, over-processed with high saturation, blasted with extreme contrasts or filters. But these images still often contain the raw human expression reflecting a particular mood, moment, or emotion unique to that moment. Natalie’s art mimics today’s image processing culture, but instead of using digital tools to accentuate every pixel, she uses traditional hand painting to strip away distracting details, letting the subject’s emotion, vivid color-blocks, and strong features define the aesthetic. 

TRINITY RUHL

@trinityruhlartist

trinityruhlartist.com

Trinity Ruhl is a self-taught artist based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. She started her art business in 2014 and provides a range of commissioned artistic services; including Family Portraits and Murals, with the most popular being her Pet Portraits. Each portrait takes anywhere between 25 – 35 hours, a labour of love that strives to capture the essence of her subjects. Trinity runs her art business alongside working as a SEND Teaching Assistant as well as a SEND support worker.

Trinity Ruhl’s ‘Wild Embrace’ collection is hand drawn using Prismacolor Pencils. These portraits capture the delicate and tender side of wild animals, inviting viewers to see beyond their animalistic nature and fierce instincts. Through fine details and intimate compositions, the artwork portrays these creatures in a moment of affection – nuzzling their young and sharing quiet companionship. The collection celebrates the hidden vulnerability of these animals, reminding us that beneath their wild exteriors lies a deep capacity for love and care.

 

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