https://www.artweeks.org/festival/media/2025/take-art-trail-west-oxford-times
This year, for Oxfordshire Artweeks, from 17th-26th May local artists are welcoming you to a new and vibrant art trail down the High Street along which visitors can explore a dozen open studios and pop-up exhibitions, all in an afternoon.
These includes the Corn Street home studio of acclaimed contemporary landscape artist Addy Gardner, whose art explores her thoughts, feelings and emotions in relation to ‘wildness’ in the world and primarily in Britain. Her work, which can also be seen in the SOTA Gallery this month, seeks to investigate ecology politics and translate onto canvas her sentiments surrounding themes such as land rights, right to roam, farming and regeneration. Focusing on the intersection between wild natural spaces and human made environments, she is committed to raising awareness of the issues that arise through the exploitation, extraction and desecration of ‘wild’ in these areas.
Close by, on Langdale Gate, landscape artist Maureen Gillespie is inspired by nature, and her observations from walks by the coast and countryside, capturing the mood, light and atmosphere in oils. For Artweeks she will also be showcasing a range of silk scarves, reproduced from her original artwork.
In Langdale Hall, two artists are teaming up to present ''Clay and Textiles'', a collection of quilting by first-time exhibitor Yelena Byra and sculptural ceramics by Kashmira Patel whose organic forms abound with strength and energy. Generally linear and feminine with a sense of flow, they are also inspired by the Japanese philosophy of ‘wabi-sabi’ ‘imperfectly perfect’.
A self-taught quilter, working in modern and classic patchwork and quilting style, Yelena loves modern fabric designers and Liberty and Art Gallery cotton fabrics for their fine texture and delicate colours. However African and Japanese fabrics are her favourites for their unique patterns and vivid colours. Working to her own patterns, most of her works made on a sewing machine, but she also enjoys hand-sewing for its therapeutic effect. She will be doing demonstrations during the festival.
Over in the Blue Boar, a new group of award-winning artists are presenting a pop-up show in the Bosworth room. These include Suzanne Stogdon, winner of a Winston Oh prize at the TALP Open Art competition, who paints a variety of subjects in a loose watercolour style capturing light and atmosphere with gentle colours. Alongside, Judy Harden paints Cotswold views and villages, flowers and gardens, still life, animals and atmospheric semi abstract compositions whilst Liz Corley, whose indie homeware business recently received a Theo Paphitis SBS Award, will be exhibiting both paintings and some of the high-quality prints, hand painted chopping boards, platters, and more on which they appear. Her work is a vibrant celebration of the natural world that incorporates gold flakes and copper powders into acrylic paint she bringing a unique dimension to her work.
Here too potter Kayleigh O'Donnell includes elements of nature and folklore to create enchanting creations, each with their own magic. Loving the history of clay and how a lump of mud can become something permanent, she connects the past and adds her own perspective to ensure stories live on through conversation and clay.
There’s more to see along the High Street including unique Japanese-Peruvian inspired handmade gifts by Patricia Okura who is exhibiting with Artweeks newcomer jeweller Elaine Tipper who uses the ancient process of sand casting, and incorporates gemstones.
“I am originally from Glasow - you will find more than just a hint of ‘Scottishness’ in my work. I especially like the subdued colours of the Scottish countryside,” she smiles. “I have always been a magpie and found it so exciting discovering the jewellery boxes of female relatives and the ‘treasures’ that were stored inside. Creativity is something that has been part of my life since I can remember but having worked as a doctor in the NHS for almost 30 years, I now, finally, have the chance to live the creative life I had always dreamed of. Last year I took the plunge and started my own brand, Sonas Mòr, which means “great happiness” in Gaelic. I love to create jewellery that inspires happiness and celebrates the connections we have with those close to us and our heritage. I have realised that, in particular, it is the connection between women that inspires me. Women’s strength and resilience, caring and love are truly inspirational and I want to capture that in my work, so I am making jewellery that is bold yet feminine.”
At the Windrush Club, you can see dynamic realistic views of nature and surreal images of Oxford and travel photography by fine art photographer Bharat Patel; there’s crafted homewares par excellence at Derwent House. The Witney Blanket Hall is hosting three very different textile artists. Here using embroidery, hand painting and cutwork, see Vikki Lafford Garside transforming simple fabrics and thread into intricate wearable art, whilst Sarah Roche creates local views with wet felting techniques. Alongside Amanda Hislop, inspired by land, sea, sky, and trees, combines paper, cloth, paint, and stitch in her art.