Self-taught artist Bob Oxley, from Stockport, is on the cusp of a national art publishing contract.
An artist from Stockport has been making an impression among the art elite at Washington Green’s Summer Exhibition 2015, currently taking place at Castle Fine Art in Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC).
42 year old Bob Oxley, living in Stockport, Greater Manchester, is a self-taught artist specialising in low brow pop surrealism. Working in acrylic on canvas, Bob’s work – which explores themes of loss of natural habitat and species extinction – have been gaining unprecedented interest, with several pieces selling out within the first week.
Run by the UK’s leading fine art publisher, the Summer Exhibition 2015 sees 20 artists – whittled down from over 400 following an open call for artists early in the year – showcase their work at Washington Green’s flagship gallery Castle Fine Art, ICC from 1st to 31st August.
Representing the diverse nature of contemporary art, the international list of exhibitors includes painters, photographers and sculptors working in a myriad of materials from pen and pastels to charcoal and oils. The youngest artist to exhibit their work is 19 and the oldest 69, with some having undertaken formal training, and others being completely self-taught.
Those taking part in the exhibition are in with the chance of securing a publishing contract with Washington Green – if successful, they will join the ranks of the art scene elite with Ronnie Wood, Bob Dylan, Raphael Mazzucco and Stuart McAlpine Miller just some of the names represented in the company’s portfolio.
Glyn Washington, Founder and Creative Director of Washington Green Fine Art, said:
“As a leading art publisher, Washington Green is dedicated to bringing the newest talent to the contemporary art market. After a rigorous selection process and careful consideration from Washington Green’s creative team we selected 20 artists to take part in this year’s Summer Exhibition whom we consider to represent the finest work in their field.”
Bob said “The approach to my work is all about being in the moment, the act of making the work and giving myself over to the process and the chemistry which I have nurtured over the years. I wanted the work to look like it was made quickly and loosely but on inspection every brushstroke is considered and painted meticulously, something loose and free but in fact is complex which is what nature is all about.”
Last year saw four new emerging visual artists signed to Washington Green’s books following its annual ‘Summer Exhibition’. Engineer turned artist Dan Lane and French 3D-scultpure artist Frédéric Daty – who are some of the newest editions to the company’s diverse artist portfolio – have recently received their first major UK shows at Castle Fine Art, South Molton Street.
The Summer Exhibition 2015 runs until 31st August at Castle Fine Art, ICC, Broad Street, B1 2EA. All pieces on show will be available to buy from the exhibition. For more information please see www.castlegalleries.com.
