Grasshopper Tendencies

“I had jumped around from subject to subject, which was all down to my “Grasshopper tendencies”. Having once confessed to this, it became a phrase that stuck.”

A new exhibition of work by local artist and Sunny Bank Mills studio holder Mel Davies. Mel’s statement oil paintings tell stories and explore themes such as myth, folklore and local history. He uses characteristically colourful oils to paint vivid scenes, be it Yorkshire streets, mills, wild gardens or mysterious characters and dramatic scenarios. There’s always hidden meaning or tiny clues enveloped in his frenetic brush strokes and intense use of colour. Even his monumental abstracts are full of narrative! The exhibition will also feature work from Fiona Mazza, Zoe Eady, Hannah Nunn and Lorna Gilbert.

“I had about eighteen months to play around in. I seem to focus better when I have short deadlines. It started well and I did paintings of my garden in Spring, my garden under snow, what I’d like my garden to look like, and wonky jugs of flowers, (my brushes love it when we do those!)…. but… I got distracted! I was enticed outdoors into the woods around the mill so I did a few Tree-ey Wood-ey works, en pleine air, between showers.”

Please note: dates may change due to government advice on Covid-19.