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Newcastle upon Tyne

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Celebrating Northumberland with Janine Burrows

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The Biscuit Factory is delighted to welcome artist Janine Burrows to the gallery this Autumn.

Janine’s largest collection to date will feature a variety of artwork that celebrates her familial heritage and links to Northumberland. A never-before exhibited collection of artist’s sketches, which form the start of Janine’s process, will be shown alongside her finished original paintings. Other available art for sale in the exhibition will include hand-painted ceramic plates and individually crafted wooden ‘huizen’.

Before the official opening on 4 September, Janine talked to us about her love of Northumberland, creating the collection, and how it feels to bring her work back to The Biscuit Factory art gallery in Newcastle.


On her connection to Northumberland:

My grandparents grew up in Corbridge and Hexham and though they moved to Yorkshire in the 1940’s it’s fair to say that Northumberland was forever in their hearts. Both now rest at the crematorium in Hexham and it has now become an annual pilgrimage to visit my grandparents and their hometowns. This was my first introduction to the wonders of Northumberland and all this it has to offer and I very much feel a sense of belonging there.

Artist Janine Burrows in her studio            Janine Burrows in her studio. Photography by Jo Crawford.

      A Fling of Sandpipers, mixed media, £425

On how she captures the Northumberland landscape in her artwork:

I work with mixed media to create the texture and layers synonymous with the architecture, dunes and skies. Often using colour that is connected to a place or time, with naively drawn elements and textures inspired by photographs, sketches and memories created on location, and recreated back in my studio.

On the influence of Northumberland on her collection:

The collection, in a nutshell, is a conversation of my time in Northumberland, composed the best way I know how; through paint and illustration.

From historic towns to majestic beaches, my work throughout the collection is inspired by all these spaces and places.

From pieces inspired by the villages my grandparents lived to the undulating coast lines of Northumberland, along with still life scenes capturing a moment or a view, all these works have a strong connection to my affection of this nostalgic area.

  Low Path along Lindisfarne, mixed media on canvas, £795

On creating other forms of original artwork:

As well as paintings of varying scale and interest, there is also a series of framed sketch work included in this exhibition. These pieces are the raw beginning to much of my process but something that I have never displayed before. Simple in structure, monochrome in colour, the drawings show a muted side to my work, the humble beginnings but non the less essential to how I work and where the initial thoughts and marks are placed.

 

There is also a collection of painted plates inspired by Alfred Wallis who often used whatever he had to hand to paint on. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of painting on these unusual found/vintage/upcycled ceramic shapes and spaces, requiring a slightly different approach to my usual work.

Along with the plates I have also been working on a collection of wooden ‘huis’. These small wooden structures are created from upcycled wood, often old palettes or found pieces. They are all unique, painted individually with their own identity and inspired by the huts along the Northumberland coast, old abodes and captivating cottages.

This is a hugely personal project, within which I have tried to showcase the diversity in which I like to work, paint, illustrate and curate.

  Huis Sculptures by Janine Burrows.


Janine's collection will be available to browse and buy online from 3 September.

All of Janine's art for sale is available to buy with finance - spread the cost of artwork over £100 interest free with Own Art.

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