An exhibition by four independent artists about pride and intimacy.
// A r t i s t s //
Natasha Smith // I am a 28-year-old photomontage/collage artist from Lincoln that likes to take images and chop, change and make them even more beautiful with lots of flourishes in Photoshop, sometimes I use copyright safe images from vintage archives and a lot of the images I’ve used are photos I’ve taken myself, often of places in and around Lincoln.
My work is basically my way of journalling everyday life. If I read a magazine article that I find interesting, listen to an inspiring podcast, go to an amazing gig, have a great cup of coffee in a cute coffee shop - I will more than likely create some work showing my appreciation for it. My work has become much more niche over time, but I find it to be a truer representation of myself that I’m putting into the design.
I make custom portraits, private commissions and magazine editorial work.
Rosie Rockets // When I was young I wanted to be an inventor, sadly, I did not have the mathematical or engineering ingenuity to achieve this. I did, however, have the imagination, determination, and enthusiasm of an unsupervised child. I have retained these qualities into adulthood and it is in my art that they’ve certainly been allowed to flourish.
I’m a professional portrait artist – four legs or less – in either traditional or digital mediums depending on what you require. I’ve been commissioned for public art including murals, painting of sculptures and workshops. Logos and illustrative work are a welcome change of pace as is decorating weird and wonderful artifacts… past work has included painting a plane hatch, a bomb, and a paving slab. I’ll even customize clothing for you – jackets are a favourite.
Lexy F-J // I am an avid reader, coffee drinker and photographer – you will very rarely see me without my camera. I love writing and performing poetry, can play 5 different stringed instruments and have a bit of an obsession with Astronomy. I identify as a queer woman and my style is an eclectic mix of dapper, vintage, steampunk and femme.
I have always adored words. There are over 30 journals in my house, only half of which are full. I've been writing poetry for over 10 years now.
Poetry for me is all about honesty at its heart. I started collating my words and my photography last year. "Intrinsic" will be the first time that I exhibit both of these creative outlets in tandem.
Frocktopus // I'm a queer, trans and disabled artist and activist, since becoming disabled art has become my most valuable (and sometimes only) accessible means of communication.
I use data and ritual based art as a healthier focus for my OCD, word collages to express dichotomies in society about sexuality, gender and disability, sketching the world around me to connect during dissociation and sentimental and emotionally charged materials to do with my personal history and rituals.
I n t r i n s i c // In Depth:
"A single line bridges two souls, two lives. One shared moment in time." - Rosie Rockets
Image above: One continuous line drawing of two women kissing on a purple background.
Right-hand image: "Entwined I" hangs in the Angel Coffee House. One continuous line drawing of two men kissing on an orange background.
"This piece of artwork celebrates the fact that we are all united, by love: through our beating hearts and the connection we make to one another. It celebrates our pride in loving to our hearts capacity and living in full colour." - Rosie Rockets
Image above: A single line depicts images of intimacy, such as hand holding, hugging and kissing, over a rainbow spectrum.
"Complex layers of imagery and poetry. Each photo is layered with significance, a favoured flower of a loved one, the pride flag, a kiss. I've displayed these pieces on fabric to emulate the pride flag - these relationships are something to be proud of. My love will always be political, but that doesn't mean that it can't be soft, tender, open.
We don't get to celebrate that as a norm - where are my queer epic love stories? Why are we still starved for them? I want them to be big, bold and beautiful. This is what this is. This is for us." - Lexy Foxley-Johnson
Image above: "Why Women" exhibited on the wall at the Angel Coffee House. A composite of images including the pride flag, a kiss, summer flowers. Poetry overlays the text.
Right-hand image: "Tenderness is;" - a composite of images including sunflowers, ferns and the female form, poetry overlaid.
"These pieces are about the double standards where everyday lives of queer people are forced to be talked about in hushed tones, have been banned from being taught in schools, and are seen as inherently more sexual or perverse, than the cis-het expressions and experiences of the same things."
How will our differences be respected when even our similarities are not? - Frocktopus
Image above: Close up image of a painted rainbow. Text overlaid reads: "Why are we taboo for the same things as you"
Left hand image: Streaks of colour spear out from a central point. Text overlaid reads: "Menopausal women discuss HRT but Trans people can’t talk about taking the same hormones
G.P’s can diagnose and treat body dysmorphia in 1 appointment, but gender dysphoria takes years
Birthing and breastfeeding are facts of life, but our bodies are seen as private and shameful
Hysterectomies and mastectomies get called brave but gender confirmation surgery is seen as a freak show
50 shades of grey is a best seller but just dating us is thought a fetish"
Alt//Pride @ the Angel // 28th September 2019
At the end of this month, we'll be running a pride event at the Angel Coffee House.
Come spend some time in this friendly space, have a brew, chat to some like-minded lovelies. Take part in our collaborative art piece or get your face painted. There may even be a little acoustic music. We'll be raising some money for a LGBTQIA+ charity too.
All welcome. This event won't be ticketed but please be aware there's limited space (although there's a fantastic outside garden area).
Questions, or maybe you can lend us some tunes? Drop an email to hello@angelcoffeehouse.com
Credits:
Credit to independent artists.