Holmfirth Artweek 2019

The Mustard and Punch Group open ALL of it’s doors to offer local artist a very warm welcome.

Every year, the biggest event in the Holme Valley artists’ calendar is most definitely the Holmfirth Artweek. One of the UK’s largest open art exhibition, it draws national attention. The well established event has been going for over 53 year and has, to date, raised nearly one million pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support from the proceeds of sales made at the main exhibition and the fringe venues.

Back in 2011, I showed my work at a fringe venue as part of Holmfirth Artweek. More recently in 2017, I exhibited two pieces, Mr Mandrill and Palms & Toucan at the main open exhibition. Both have now been sold.

I wanted to get involved again this year, and so set about finding an exhibition space as a fringe venue. I wanted to showcase more than just two pieces of work. Plus, give myself a clear focus for the year  – something to aim for.

Fortunately the owners of Mustard and Punch were one hundred percent on board with becoming a fringe venue for 2019.

When I first spoke to them, it hadn’t occurred to me that there was the opportunity to exhibit in all of the restaurants. The Mustard and Punch Group have a unique offering within the village of Honley. With a Tapas Bar and Grill, Italian and traditional fine dining bistro all within spitting distance from one another.

But, the more I thought about it, I realised that this posed a really interesting opportunity. While many of the fringe venues will be showing a multitude of artists, I had the opportunity to exhibit within a multitude of venues. I could create a body of work with depth and complexity that showed my ability to diversify. What’s more, the main motivation behind my paintings, which are all designed to compliment their environments.

Mustard and Punch Bistro

The paintings for this venue needed very charming, gentrified imagery to adorn the wall of this typically English fine dining restaurant. I had already painted Mr Rabbit and Lord Squirrelton, which had been well received. And so I created three more pieces, to be able to display a collection of five paintings in this restaurant.

Framed Limited Edition Giclee Prints of Mr Rabbit and Lord Squirrelton, £50 each or the pair for £90.

Bunny Kicks; original oil on canvas £250

Badger with badges; original oil on canvas  – £300, Otter Sure; Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print – £50

UNO

I wanted opulence but with a sense of fun, I had already been considering the symmetry pieces and they just seemed to lend themselves to this Italian, where the dining experience has been described as ‘a little piece of Italy within the Holme valley, with the laid-back feel and friendly feel’.

There are two symmetry pieces, and I also chosen to exhibit the fish paintings.

Punch Bar and Tapas

Wayne and Rick asked me to produce something for the Tapas bar, that would ‘Pack a Punch’ when greeting the customers, I immediately knew what I wanted to do. Inspired by the logo, I decided it would only be fitting to paint a pair of ‘Corrida de Toros’ – Raging Bulls.

The paintings will be on display from 1st – 13th July 2019.

WESTGATE, HONLEY, HOLMFIRTH HD9 6AA

A Preview Evening is on Monday 1st July, 7pm – 9pm, where you  can have access to all three restaurants to browse the paintings. As well the paintings, there will limited edition prints available to purchase.

20% of the proceeds made from sale of the paintings during Holmfirth Artweek will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.