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Colour Code


Colour Code is a selected mixed group show of work across media.

FREE Talk: Colour Theory.
Saturday 15 July, 2pm.

FREE Workshop: Physics of Colour
Sunday 18 JUne 2-4pm

Colour Code is a selected exhibition across media featuring the work of over 25 artists. Colour is a powerful communication tool and is used world wide in myriad ways to convey everything from emotions and political allegiance to identity and instruction. Colour is both fascinating and seductive.

In order to try to understand a little more about differing aspects of colour we have teamed up with the institute of Physics to learn a little more about the physical properties of colour via a free interactive family friendly activity day, and the gallery director will be giving a talk on colour theory. See the separate event listings for both the talk and the activity day for more details.

Artists have been fascinated by colour for as long as there have been artists.

“We were overwhelmed by submissions to this exhibition and it was extremely difficult to choose so few to represent the huge approaches there are to the use of colour.” Karen Sherwood, Director

“We really wanted to make this show a celebration of colour. In these uncertain times we wanted to show pieces imbued with hope and positivity, looking for a brighter tomorrow.” Graham Shapley, Curator

Tour around Cupola Contemporary Art in Middlewood, Sheffield. Experience all 4 galleries and the scultpture garden. Video by Iconic Sheffield Media

The politics of colour and identity is addressed in the work of Shaeron Caton Rose (painting and artist's book) and Eva Mileusnic (ceramics) who use their work to question assumptions made about race and 'colour'. Glass sculptures by Vicky Higginson will create an avalanche of intense hues which will cast coloured shadows when illumined by the sun and encourage consideration of how light changes our perception of colour. In addition, visitors will get the opportunity to interact with a glass sculpture by Alice Valfrè which will light up in response to visitor body movement.

Painting features heavily in the exhibition with a wide range of styles and colour palettes employed. Highly ordered and controlled abstract paintings by Carole Hawthorne alongside Richard Furlong's bold, geometric works contrast with highly painterly and expressive pieces by Sarah Cooney and Ryoko Minamitani. From rich reds and purples in the large abstract painting by David Lucas to the muted colours of Lois Palframan, colour and its application will massage your senses from the painters contributing to this exhibition.

The following artists are taking part in the exhibition:

Alice Valfrè, Bren Head, Carole Hawthorne, Dan Metcalfe, Dave Gowers, David Jones, David Lucas, Diane Watson, Eva Mileusnic, Hanne Westergaard, Heather Boxall, Lois Palframan, Maggie Thompson, Marzena Ostromecka, Norman Anderson, Paul Evans, Richard Furlong, Ryoko Minamitani, Sadie Hennessy, Sarah Cooney, Scott Graham-Chapple, Shaeron Caton-Rose, Simon Robinson, Tom Barker, Tom Lietzau, Valerie Daval, Vicky Higginson

Painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, artists' books and glass will be represented.