The Final Cork Street Open Exhibition 9-16 August 2013
By founder, Kathryn Roberts
The first Cork Street Open was launched six years ago in response to the late Anita
Roddick’s call to arms – “Just do something” and an article in the Big Issue by John
Bird about his experiences and memories of the Cork Street galleries and their
profound affect on his appreciation of art.
The mission was two fold, to give emerging and established artists worldwide a
platform for showing their work in the heart of London’s art dealing centre and to
raise funds for charity.
There has never been a theme for the August Cork Street Open Exhibition; other than
the literal interpretation of contemporary – of this time. Artists were able to submit up
to 6 entries as long as they were created within the past 18 months.
By far one of the most exhilarating aspects of the Cork Street Open Exhibitions is the
surprising synergy and cohesive feel of unity that is achieved in spite of the extremely
diverse and eclectic collection of artwork presented in a wide range of mediums.
For this exhibition the selection panel of five jurors viewed nearly 2,000 submissions,
distilling the entries to just under 200 artworks. Everything the jury selects after a
stringent 2 stage judging process, whether iPad paintings, egg tempera landscapes,
resin sculptures or large format photographs must then be hung. Remarkably, rather
than clashing and colliding the art sits together in harmony, offering visitors an
exciting visual symphony.
Not only is the artwork diverse, the experience and reputation of the artists is equally
varied providing an opportunity for collectors to purchase art ranging from £110 to
over £10,000. A wire mesh sculpture by the well-established David Begbie, may cast
its velvet shadow beside the painting of a debuting young artist or an emerging
octogenarian.
Despite their reputations or lack thereof, each artist will be hoping to capture the
attention of a collector, a gallery or an admiring fan and offer art lovers a glimpse of
their creative talent and stars have been born.
Last January pencil artist, Kelvin Okafor took centre stage at the Winter Cork Street
Open with his photo-realist portraits. An interview on the BBC was only the
beginning, he has since secured gallery representation at the Albemarle Gallery in
Mayfair, been featured and won prizes at the Mall Galleries and will be hosting an
evening talk and demonstration as well as having a new drawing hung in the show.
Now as the landscape of Cork Street is poised to change the exhibition is preparing
for a final curtain call. From the 9-16th of August the Exhibition, with free admission,
will be open daily from 10-6. There will be a schedule of talks and receptions and
there is a ticketed private view on Thursday the 8th to benefit CRISIS, a national
charity for single homeless adults.
High Res Images Available: http://tinyurl.com/mydyq4d
Queries: Kathryn Roberts 01981 540597, email: kr@corkstreetopenexhibition.co.uk