Exhibition Preview: Keith Downey

Aunty Social is proud to introduce the work of local artist, Keith Downey by hosting an exhibition at our Topping Street venue on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 December.

Now living in Blackpool, but born in Romney Marsh in Kent, Keith works in the style of the Dutch Masters, using oil paint on canvas. From childhood, Keith was clear he was only ever going to paint still-life or work with animals. Painting won, and he studied Illustration at Medway College of Design in the late 1970s. “From before I can remember, I absolutely loved that style of art and my style of painting has grown to match it. It’s ultra real- life without being real life, the skill is in creating an illusion.”

His subjects are classical still life – flowers, fruit, birds and animals. Presented in intricate detail and with hidden meanings. His passion is for Vermeer, “his use of colour challenges the traditional. Ultramarine blue sits alongside cadmium yellow and he guides you to see what he wants you to see, calm where there should really be chaos.”

Keith’s career ultimately revolved around caring for the originals at the National Gallery in London, before moving to Blackpool where he now lives. “I spend most of my time painting, things that I enjoy. Ninety nine percent is from my head and not from life.”

Aunty Social director Joe Booth said, “We were really excited to meet Keith; his work is completely different to anything else we have from our range of over 80 local artist-makers in our shop. We immediately knew we wanted to see everything, all together, at the same time. At Aunty we work closely with our artists and makers to support them grow a creative practice into a sustainable business, and we hope this exhibition will do just that for Keith.”

Keith will be hosting an early viewing of the exhibition at Aunty Social, Topping Street, Blackpool on Thursday 11 December at 4pm.

General viewing will be 11am – 5pm on Friday 12th December.

Photo Credit: Helen Kay