This spring, the Apex Gallery in Bury St Edmunds hosted an exhibition showcasing the work of 6 Suffolk-based artists in appreciation of local artistry. 

The ‘Collection Exhibition’ ran from 19th March to 21st April 2024 and displays the talents of local artists Klair Bauly, Jo Clavier, Mandy Renton, Marina Jacobs, Marian Lishman, and Miranda Grayling. 

The work on show at the Apex featured a wide range of styles, mediums and subject matter, serving more as an introduction to each artists’ way of working than an exploration of a particular topic. 

Klair Bauly experiments with dramatically different styles, often using layering and collage to give her work depth and a story. Bauly describes her work as ‘inspired by light and landscape’ and paints ‘to express calm’. 

Abstract and semi-abstract landscape artist Jo Clavier takes inspiration from things that catch her eye, and describes herself as ‘passionate about colour and colour relationships’ often basing entire paintings on one interesting colour. 

Wildlife-passionate Mandy Renton (also known as Budgerigardener) specialises in painting pet birds. Her work aims to bring awareness to the ethical issues of the pet trade and to endangered bird species in the wild. 

Marina Jacobs experiments with the distinctive colours of autumn and spring, creating large canvases bursting with bright shapes and forms. 

Marian Lishman creates her abstract art from her studio in Ipswich and involves ‘the use of bold colours and sometimes textures.’ Her work depicts travel and movement and is tied together into a cohesive portfolio by a recurring use of bright pink. 

Contemporary mixed-media artist Miranda Grayling creates one-off pieces with an unscripted creative process which she says has ‘an element of surprise’ and take inspiration from nature and buildings. 

The exhibition was free to enter and was organised by featured artist Marian Lishman. 

The Apex is a vibrant community space which, on its website, invites visitors to ‘relax on the sofas with a drink’ from its own Coffee House and ‘enjoy the beautiful surroundings’. The venue is open from 9:30am-4:00pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10:30am-4:00pm on Sundays. 

More information about the Collection Exhibition, future exhibitions and the Apex Gallery can be found at https://www.theapex.co.uk/ .