Brightons Arty: Alison Krog

chalking up a victory

It’s their gallery’s 10th anniversary this year, and now the Chalkies have even more reason to celebrate. Lewes’s delightful artist-run Chalk Gallery has just been named ‘Small Business of the Year’ in the town’s District Business Awards. The great thing about visiting this small but perfectly curated artspace is that you are guaranteed a friendly welcome from one of the 21 creatives who take turns to man the front desk. There’s a brand new exhibition every six weeks, and a different ‘featured artist’ every three weeks, so there’s always something new to see.

If you pop in, be sure to seek out the work of David Williams. Inspired by perspective and atmospheric light, his subjects range from views of Sussex and the South Downs Way to exotic locations and dramatic landscapes. He travels widely, taking many photographs and sketches for reference, then recaptures the moments in acrylics, oils, watercolours and mixed media.
Also painting in response to the landscape, and one of Chalk Gallery’s resident artists, is Janice Thurston. Her current work focuses on the countryside around Ditchling Beacon and reveals her interest in the sublime vastness of big spaces and the transformations that relentlessly take place as the seasons and colours alter. Featured here, September Sunlight shows Janice’s fascination with the way the shifting light affects the shape and contours of the land to produce semi-abstract patterns.
But these are just two of the supremely talented Chalkie consortium. The gallery also features original prints, drawings, ceramics, sculpture and jewellery. So if you are in the area, don’t miss out.