Wirral Arts: Gallery transforms into coastal playground

Jun 15 2011 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

STAACKS gallery transforms into a coastal themed art lovers’ playground this summer.

The West Kirby space welcomes Wirral-based Sherilyn Halligan throughout June, and the coastal theme continues into July with work from Nicky Higgs.

Sherilyn studied fine art at Wirral Met, and loves to explore the relationship between colour and texture in her painting and collage.

She told Wirral Arts: “My work is an abstracted record of places visited.

“I try to create a sense of that place, to convey an emotion or a memory.

“Patterns, textures, colours and shapes are all worked across the surface of the canvas or paper until I find the balance.”

And to complement Sherilyn’s work, Staacks curator Kara King has drafted in exquisite jewellery from Hannah Marshall and Cornish pottery from Charlotte Hupfield.

Kara said: “I thought it would be nice to incorporate a few other things linked with the coastal theme, so we’ve got seaside jewellery and seaside pottery made in Cornwall.

“It’s entwined with little bits of twinkle to lift it, it’s really gorgeous, very seasidey and a little bit different.

“Charlotte’s pottery is quite coastal and inspired by the scenery around here.

“It sits beautifully with Sherilyn’s stuff.”

Continuing the theme into July is artist Nicky Higgs.

Much of her work has drawn on the environment around West Kirby and Hilbre Island, as well as other locations, and is quite abstract in form.

Kara said: “They are two very different artists but both work with the coastal theme.”

And Kara says the combination is the perfect recipe for summer.

She said: “The shop looks beautiful.

“I’ve had people coming in saying it looks lovely and bright.

“It’s good when people see it’s a coastal exhibition and know what we’re doing.

“It’s all just got that lovely feel you get when you go on holiday.”

Contemporary Coastal runs at Staacks, Banks Road, West Kirby through June and July.