Exhibition at Myo Bankside: Amelia Coward, J.G Fox, Jayson Lilley, Stephen Ormandy, Kotaro Machiyama, Maria Lundstrom

30 January - 30 June 2025
Overview

AMELIA COWARD

Amelia Coward is a Kent based artist best known for her explorations into mixing, blending and grading colours.  Born in 1975, she holds a 1st class honours from Central St Martins and MA from the Royal College of Art.  Having received training based upon the colour theory teachings of Josef Albers, Amelia creates artworks that focus on the interaction of colours. Her works are carefully composed studies of spacial balance between geometric coloured elements such as circles and stripes. Influenced heavily by her woven textile training she uses laser cutters much the same way as she was trained to use a loom, cutting geometric shapes then reassembling them in patchwork compositions. Her works move dramatically from highly detailed dot pieces containing sometimes 1000’s of raised hand-painted dots to large scale striped pieces comprised of contrasting scales and bold clashing colours.
IG: ameliacoward 

 

J.G FOX
In the turbulent seas of contemporary art, J. G. Fox’s work emerges as an island of intrigue, standing resilient against the monotonous tides. At first glance, the artwork captivates with its foundational homage to Victorian architectural prints – an era characterised by detailed ornamentation, patterned intricacy, and an air of romantic nostalgia. However, dwelling longer within the realms of each piece allows one to navigate through the labyrinth of witty additions, political undertones, and the rich tapestry of art historical references interwoven with contemporary societal observations.
 
Fox’s brilliance lies in his ability to bridge epochs; he transports the viewer through time, enabling conversations between the Victorian ethos and the modern-day narratives. The Victorian elements in the artwork act as a structured stage where the drama of modern commentary unfolds. Within the formal elegance and architectural rigidity, Fox introduces elements that dance with a mischievous lightness, embodying humour and satire that gently poke at the established norms, political structures, and the art world itself.
IG: jgfoxart
 
JAYSON LILLEY
British artist Jayson Lilley is a master of contemporary printmaking, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression by seamlessly blending painting, collage, and mark-making techniques in his awe-inspiring cityscapes. With an unparalleled ability to merge the precision of screen printing with fluid gestures, Lilley infuses his landscapes with vibrant energy and vitality.

What sets Lilley's works apart are their grandeur - vast expanses adorned with opulent metal leaf accents and luminous skies that captivate the viewer's imagination. Amidst this splendour, he skilfully incorporates intimate visions of urban life, meticulously capturing every intricate detail.

Lilley draws inspiration from iconic architectural marvels and bustling metropolises across London, New York, Tokyo and beyond. Each piece celebrates the distinctive silhouettes on the horizon while encapsulating the unique essence of these extraordinary places.

In his quest for innovation, Lilley often ventures into uncharted territory by incorporating culturally significant found materials into his compositions. Whether it be repurposing Monopoly boards or integrating bank notes as symbolic imagery within his work, he constantly seeks fresh perspectives to explore his beloved landscapes.
IG: jaysonlilley
 
KOTARO MACHIYAMA

Japanese artist Kotaro Machiyama lives and works in Tokyo and creates bold and colourful abstract paintings inspired by the beauty of time and space. Kotaro’s powerful and vibrant works transport viewers out of the present and into another realm.  Kotaro’s craft has a refreshing illustrative style; there is something of Roy Lichtenstein and the Pop Art movement but with a difference. Kotaro is interested in the desire to get closer to an object because of our attraction to it. Acrylic paintings such as the flamboyant and all-consuming Be Different appear to be zoomed in on, transporting viewers into another cartoon-like dimension. Kotaro often drafts his work on photoshop first to streamline that crisp, digitally accomplished quality that characterises his paintings. Block colours and flat surfaces enhance the vitality and animated nature of Kotaro’s canvases, making for eye-catching statement pieces.

 
 MARIA LUNDSTROM

Maria Lundstrom was born in 1954 in Arvidsjaur. She lives and works in Kallinge. 

Maria Lundström balances abstraction and figuration in her paintings. Her works are created in an intuitive play with shapes and colors inspired by the elements of nature and abstract forms. With a combination of painting and collage, where the image is often created directly on paper or canvas, the compositions are transformed into imaginary landscapes and rooms where colour plays the main role.
IG: maria_lundstrom

 
Works