Southsea curators create online exhibition to showcase Portsmouth art during lockdown

With a number of galleries closing their doors and art calendars being wiped for the forseeable, artists across the country are without the very thing that kept them engaged with their customers and audiences: exhibitions.
Mark Kellett's #PortraitsForNHSHeroes artwork of QA worker, Laura Whittenham.Mark Kellett's #PortraitsForNHSHeroes artwork of QA worker, Laura Whittenham.
Mark Kellett's #PortraitsForNHSHeroes artwork of QA worker, Laura Whittenham.

But with the modern age comes the technology which has helped some artists get their incredible work recognised once again.

Artsmouth – the portmanteau pronounced like Portsmouth which also signfies being a mouthpiece for art – is the free online gallery showcasing art by regional artists. It’s the brainchild of Angus Day, founder of Portsdown Graphic Design, and David Kemp, the man behind Tiny Engines Web Design.

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Angus, 49, from Southsea, says: ‘David and I have worked together on other creative projects before.

Camber Sunday by Steve Dodd.Camber Sunday by Steve Dodd.
Camber Sunday by Steve Dodd.

‘There’s so much art in Portsmouth which isn’t getting recognised at the moment. There are also so many unknown artists and we’re trying to highlight them too.

‘When we saw the calendar of art events being cancelled, we knew we had to do something. Artists use exhibitions and shops to show their art.

‘Through our work, David and I knew a lot of people and businesses in the creative industry who may be interested in an online exhibition.’

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With Angus specialising in graphic design and David having the technical skills to build a website, the pair’s talents complemented each other to launch Artsmouth at the beginning of April.

Arya by Matt Dixon (M-one).Arya by Matt Dixon (M-one).
Arya by Matt Dixon (M-one).

David, 37, from Southsea, explains: ‘We have said we want to keep it going for a year. We update the exhibitions every two weeks on a Friday so we’re looking at 26 upcoming shows.

‘The affect it has and feedback we get will be an indication of how long this can go on for.

‘We want to be inclusive of all art. We want to keep the standards high but also want to include all different creatives, from graphic design to photography.

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‘We encourage people to support this but we don’t make any money ourselves from this project.’

Co-curators of Artsmouth Angus Day, left, and David Kemp.Co-curators of Artsmouth Angus Day, left, and David Kemp.
Co-curators of Artsmouth Angus Day, left, and David Kemp.

The first exhibition featured a number of creatives, including Matt Dixon who goes by the artist name M-One. The 46-year-old stencil artist, from Southsea, says: ‘Angus messaged me and asked if I wanted to be a part of the launch. I thought it was an absolutely fantastic idea.

‘The amount of galleries which have had to stop functioning in their normal way means artists can’t network.

‘Even though artists are very good as staying indoors and getting on with their work, we miss that social interaction at art events.

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‘It’s not just about selling art, it’s about engaging with people. And that’s what’s missing at the moment.’

Fauna by James Mankiewicz.Fauna by James Mankiewicz.
Fauna by James Mankiewicz.

As well as group exhibitions, Angus and David have also started solo showcases. The first featured James Mankiewicz with his collection called Masks and Mysteries. However the latest artist to have a solo exhibition on Artsmouth is Southsea-based painter Steve Dodd with his show, Island City Views, which is available until May 21.

‘I had been taking part in an initiative by street artist MyDogSighs called Free Art Fridays,’ explains Steve, 61.

‘It was through that circle of people I got told about Artsmouth.

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‘I was very intrigued by the project. Obviously so many artists rely on shows to display their work and all of that has shriveled up.

‘Angus had a look through my Instagram and then asked me to send him around 50 images of my paintings. That way, Angus and David still act as curators and put out what they believe people will want to see. They have the autonomy to keep the standards high.’

Steve smiles and says: ‘When it went live, I showed everybody I could.

Indian Dog by Pollyana Doyle.Indian Dog by Pollyana Doyle.
Indian Dog by Pollyana Doyle.

‘I’m very proud of my work being displayed on it. I hope it grows and grows.’

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Looking to a sneak preview of another forthcoming exhibition on Artsmouth, Mark Kellett’s #PortraitForNHSHeroes will be featured on the website in the coming weeks.

Founded by Oxford-based portrait artist Thomas Croft, the hashtag of #PortraitsForNHSHeroes has gone viral and encouraged NHS workers to get in touch with willing artists who will paint their portrait for free.

Within a few minutes of Mark posting the hashtag on his Instagram, Laura Whittenham, who works for the renal dialysis unit at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, got in touch. Mark’s artwork of her will be featured on Artsmouth soon, alongside other pieces too. He says: ‘It took me a few days to do. She’s really happy with it and I will be sending it to her soon.’

The 39-year-old painter, from Fareham, is also a fine art teacher at Havant and South Downs College. ‘Without galleries and exhibitions, there’s a massive hole,’ adds Mark.

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‘I hope something creative will come out of the pandemic. Everyone’s got their head down.’

He laughs and adds: ‘I think it’s the most creative I have ever been since before I had children.’

Although it takes up a lot of their time, Angus and David feel happy that they’re giving back to the art community.

Angus adds: ‘I’m really enjoying it and it’s enabled us to make new contacts.

‘We feel that we’re doing something valuable.

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‘Also, we want to hear from you if you would like to submit your artwork too.’

To view a number of exhibitions by local artists and to submit your own artwork, go to artsmouth.co.uk.

Stay alert with art

Alongside Artsmouth, there are a number of national and international online galleries or virtual tours you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

- The National Gallery, London, has around 2,400 artworks online which you can view at nationalgallery.org.uk.

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- The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art is the biggest art museum in the USA. Don’t miss out by going to metmuseum.org.

- The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has a virtual tool which allows you to wander around three floors of the American museum, at Washington DC. Go to naturalhistory.si.edu and click ‘virtual tours’.

- The Louvre, Paris, has selection of works available online as well as a virtual tour of three major exhibitions at louvre.fr/en.