IAP Fine Art, Monmouth
Until Sat 29 Apr
This exhibition combines music and art around the theme of coming to terms with the changing meaning of love, both emotionally and sexually, that mid-life brings.
The collection of 23 paintings by English artist Chris Gollon, whose work you may recognise from Alan Yentob’s BBC1 programme Imagine, was created in collaboration with Irish singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy.
The collaboration between the two artists came about in quite an unusual way; McEvoy was writing a new album called Naked Music and one day came across one of Gollon’s paintings Champagne Sheila. Inspired by the painting, she wrote the final pieces for her album and sent the completed collection to Gollon so he could create the cover artwork.
Once Gollon listened to the album, he was so inspired that he ended up painting 24 pieces around McEvoy’s songs and the title of the exhibition, Gimme Some Wine, is taken from McEvoy’s song of the same name.
The collection includes pieces inspired by songs entitled Dreaming of Leaving, which describes a woman dreaming of leaving her subdued domestic life, and Wrong so Wrong, which tells the story of a woman who lies awake at night romanticising about the idea of having a lover.
“I was particularly struck by the track The Thought of You about a woman thinking about an affair but not having one,” said Gollon. “So, my painting ended up as by a man reflecting on the thoughts of a woman. That song took me to a place I can’t get to on my own, but I can at least try to get there with the authentic guidance of an artist.”
This exhibition marks the opening of the £1.25 million redevelopment of the Coleg Gwent building, which is now home to IAP Fine Art. The now established contemporary art gallery has been located in Bethnal Green, Chelsea and St James, before relocating to Monmouth.
David Tregunna, director of IAP Fine Art said: “I started visiting [Monmouth] and fell in love with the region and its rich musical and literary history,” and from strong beginnings, this gallery looks like one to watch.
Admission: Free. Info: 084 4561 1833 / www.iapfineart.com