A delightful art exhibition of figurative and nudes artworks continues at the Old Fire Station Gallery until next Tuesday (15th June). Raised in Henley, curator Simon Hearnden returns with a very different display for his latest venture, ANTIDOTE GALLERY. This exhibition is appropriately entitled ‘UNMASKED – figuratively speaking’. The works exhibited were collected across the UK and Europe, along with displayed works by contemporary young artists and contacts he has formed associations with during his extensive exhibitions schedule in recent years.

The Old Fire Station is just about Simon’s favourite venue, despite exhibiting extensively around the UK. “I love the openness and light of this special venue, and the discerning visitors that find their way to the gallery, despite it being just off the beaten track, and catching up with old friends”, says Simon. Antidote Gallery has been devised to be an enjoyable experience, the antidote to the cooped up lives we have necessarily lived in the past year or so. The display features a number of ‘unmasked’ nudes, so the title aims to bring relief to the eyes and hopefully visitors’ spirits, now the shackles of lockdown are being cautiously eased”. The gallery is spacious and continues to observe social distancing protocols.

Both new and established household names are being exhibited.

Allen Jones (b.1937) is a British pop artist, best known for his paintings, sculptures, and lithography. Few artists inflame debate like Allen Jones, according to the Royal Academy. Celebratory, satirical and boldly inventive, his work embraces popular culture and has in turn influenced everything from design to film and fashion. Simon is selling an original artists proof of the poster ‘Paso Doble’ Jones created as the publicity poster from the 1983 Royal Academy  Summer Exhibition.

Simon also recently discovered the thought-provoking canvases of Oxford born, but now Brooklyn based artist Patrick Church at a Saatchi Gallery exhibition between lockdowns. Patrick has been really flying on Instagram since being exhibited there.

Other artist’s works featured include quirky former Oxford artist John Isitt, former renowned London print-maker Alistair Grant, young West Country artist Ben Reader, Dame Elisabeth Frink and a print by French photographer Hervé Donnezan, from a photoshoot of Salvador Dali taken by him for a Playboy shoot in 1973!

UNMASKED – figuratively speaking is open daily from 11am – 5pm and is recommended viewing.