Art Exhibition a 'Must See'

With an amazing array of musical talent in the village today for the Audlem Music & Arts Festival, it would be all too easy to overlook the Art Exhibition in the Methodist Church Hall. We urge you to pop in – you will be amazed by the range and quality of the work on display.

The Audlem St James' Primary School Hundertwasser project has turned out to be a triumph. Hundertwasser was a controversial Austrian artist famous not only for his work but the fact he liked to lecture in the nude. There is also a very fine public toilet in New Zealand dedicated to his work.

Conceived by Christine Johnson, a member of the Executive Festival Team, the project involved the recreation of one of Hundertwasser's works by years 5 and 6 pupils. The picture was divided into 24 sections, each to be recreated by an individual pupil and then put back together to recreate something like the original picture.

While Christine only 'hoped' it would work, the result is an explosion of colours and shapes which is a highlight of the Arts Exhibition and which hits you the minute you enter the hall. The school and the 24 pupils should be very proud to risen to this challenge so successfully.

At the far end of the hall is The Last Supper, an amazing three dimensional creation by Mike Reeves – seen here with his work. In previous stories on this spectacular piece of work, we challenged anyone to identify what it is created from. The answer we can now reveal is masking tape. Have a close look and be amazed that a work so complex can be made from such a work a day material.

Dan Brown and The Da Vinci Code fans will also be pleased to see that the figure to Christ's right is the only one to be unbearded.

Mike has a selection of other work on display including the dramatic work, also three-

dimensional, seen here, as well as a series of paintings capturing Britain's industrial heritage very dramatically.

As well as a wide range of paintings, there are displays of basketry; beautifully detailed quilts from the nearby Quilt centre, previously the Buerton School; jewellery (including some made amazingly from old newspapers!) and an extensive and quite brilliant display of Paul Harden's photographs.

Monique Hollinshead has created a fascinating display of theatrical and ballet costumes, plus one that was, we were told, modelled on the spot out of black bin bags and the like but which captures the essence of a Tudor costume.

Even AudlemOnline's editor has slipped into the show his first ever watercolour saying that whilst the Exhibition may not have an award for Best in Show, this would be a strong contender for Worst. But it was a first attempt – and it is beautifully framed!

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