This is the bit where we get to share the incredible work our members have been getting up to lately.
Visual artist Joshua Raffell is based in Ryde, IW. His work takes ideas, images and headlines from current affairs or historical events, gay erotica, and complex memory of the self. Pushing, pulling, cutting up, rubbing out and stitching layers together.
Layering is a significant aspect of his work, materials squished and sewn to create a narrative. Taking inspiration from Paul McCarthy and Delaine Le Bas, Raffell’s work goes from the self to a wider concept of otherness and often explores mental health and family.
His latest joint exhibition ‘You Are The Dance’ will open tomorrow (16/10/23) at Monkton Arts in Ryde, with an impromptu performance titled ‘Nailed it’ by Raffell starting at 5pm (may contain nudity.)
Collaborating with artist Janet Brooks, this exhibition will have iterations at Monkton Arts and at studio1.1 Redchurch St, London.
“Our work picks up on naïve styles, folk art and outsider art. We met at art school and began to develop our collaborative approaches from there. We were Insiders only by default, and felt we were never completely truly inside. Using our own experiences of a memory, warped by time, the art transcends the autobiographical to a state of otherness.”
Earlier this year Raffell was awarded of the IW Creative Network bursary to focus on learning, work with new mediums, participate in an extensive course in mosaics and learn how to cross over with other materials.
In September, Raffell took part in Ryde Open Studios Arts Trail and later this year will introduce his new mosaic skills through showcasing new work and a workshop at Monkton Arts. He is particularly drawn to mosaic as an ancient, ephemeral and kinaesthetic artform. “The uncertainty and definitive shapes mean the process takes control. Experimentation is a constant of my work.”
Raffell was also a recipient of ‘a space’ arts Turning Point Bursary this year. Since it’s first stage in 2019, ‘a space’ arts awarded 15 artists based (living or working) in the Southampton & IW postcode area a bursary to support their ongoing practice, and group show at ‘a space’ arts flagship venue, God’s House Tower in Jan – Mar 2024.
His joint exhibition ‘You are the Dance’ is on at studio1.1 until 22nd Oct and at Monkton Arts until 27th Oct 2023. To follow Joshua online, please visit: www.joshuaraffellart.com www.instagram.com/joshuaraffellart
