New Exhibitions at Bethlem Gallery and SW1 Gallery
A new exhibition opens at the Bethlem Gallery this week, presenting the first solo exhibition by Albert, an artist whose unique style and talent has been recognised and praised by Outsider Art collectors and institutions across Europe. Visionary Buildings showcases outstanding and unusual large-scale pencil drawings depicting visions of imaginary buildings, homes, fences and structures. Albert is represented by Henry Boxer Gallery and currently has work in major collections such as Pallant House Gallery, The Bethlem Museum, ABCD Collection, Paris and the Museum of Everything.
Albert recently left hospital, which is where he began drawing. Drawing, he says, acts as a kind of meditation, a means of escaping the boredom and tedium, but a release also. He feels 'connected' and 'whole' when he works on the drawings. He hopes one day, now that he has been released into the outside world, to experiment with other themes, recalling happier times from his early childhood years before things fell apart, he talks about drawing a house on a hill, perhaps overlooking the sea.
Visionary Buildings opens on 18th May, 3-6pm.
Exhibition continues 19 May - 10 June, Wednesday - Friday, 11am - 6pm and Saturday 4 June, 11am - 6pm.
www.bethlemgallery.com
Another Bethlem Gallery exhibition is also on view this month in central London, at SW1 Gallery in Victoria. Drawn from Experience is a stunning exhibition of paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture by a selection of Bethlem Gallery artists, whose work illustrates their unique lives and their experience of mental health. The exhibition runs from 5 - 28 May, Tues - Fri (12pm - 6pm) and Saturdays (12pm - 4pm). SW1 Gallery, 12 Cardinal Walk, Roof Garden Level, Cardinal Place (Off Victoria Street), London SW1E 5JE.
