Don’t be sad

‘Visual jollification’ is not something often promised from those punting upcoming exhibitions. But Don’t Be Sad, a show from a collective of 15 naïve illustrators opening at Bristol’s Here Gallery this weekend, swears to provide just that.

Shane Wilson
Shane Wilson

Calico Melton
Calico Melton

The collective is formed from a tight-knit group of recent graduates from the Bath School of Art and Design, who were united by their desire to experiment beyond their graphics backgrounds, says illustrator Ben Galea (aka Fingerfood).

by Fingerfood
by Fingerfood

He says, ‘Coming from a graphics environment, we have a varied output that unites contrasting skills and interests. It’s something we feel makes us dynamic.’

Adam Hartshorne
Adam Hartshorne

Emma Morris
Emma Morris

The exhibition, which is made up of drawing, printmaking, typography and craft, is tied together by a common desire among the illustrators to make viewers smile, often through the work’s sheer bizarreness.

Esther McManus
Esther McManus

Jasper Dunk
Jasper Dunk

Jasper Dunk’s threatening masked attackers are incongruently clad in fluorescent Fair Isle jumpers – just like your mad nan would knit – whereas Andrew Joyce’s cityscapes look like what would happen if you attempted to made the set of Captain Scarlet out of wine gums.

Andrew Joyce
Andrew Joyce

If next week’s budget leaves you feeling a little down in the dumps and you’re in the Bristol area, head to Here Gallery to lighten your mood.

phillip J Jones
phillip J Jones

Don’t Be Sad runs from 18- 28 June at Here Gallery, 108 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3RU.

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