Town House Open 2023

My painting ‘Pause (II)’ features in Part 1 of the 'Town House Open 23’ exhibition.

‘Pause (II)’ by Matt Bannister

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This is the fourth year of their Open exhibition with more selected artists than before, so the show has been split into two. Part 1: Paintings & Drawings (24th June - 30th July), Part 2: Original Prints & Mixed Media (5th August - 10th September).

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The Town House is an amazing building tucked in a corner of Spitalfields: a gallery, shop and coffee shop that has been in an early eighteenth century building opposite Hawksmoor’s Christ Church for more than twenty years. Well worth visiting if you can (and to see my painting in the flesh, of course). 5 Fournier Street, London, E1 6QE. Open Tuesdays to Sundays.

5 Fournier Street, London, E1 6QE

Christchurch, Spitalfields: the Town House’s impressive neighbour (view shown here from Commercial Street)

Derelict Buildings - Vallance Road, E1

I've completed the first of what will hopefully become a series of personal work, based on derelict and forgotten buildings in London. Using the initial drawing (see below) I developed my transfer technique to create the outlines in oil paint. I then added colour with watercolour (it won't paint over the oil outlines), with a little bit of acrylic white for highlights. The method of essentially creating my own carbon paper was something I thought I'd invented whilst doing my degree. I only recently discovered that Paul Kleé was doing it years ago. It must be fate, good Karma - or a happy coincidence...

These empty shops are at the bottom of Vallance Road, East London, E1, just around the corner from Whitechapel station. I suspect they may be going through some form of refurbishment, and think they are fascinating. If you fancy seeing them yourself, hurry, as they are bound to become betting shops or gold exchanges very soon.

pencil drawing of a street

Work in Progress - Derelict Buildings

I did this drawing today (at home, working from a photo I'd taken on my phone AGES ago). I probably should have done it in situ / from 'life' but hey ho - it is January, remember.

I thought I'd share it with you. I really like it, but the final piece will be will quite different, and more colourful. I'm planning to do a series of personal works based on derelict or run down buildings I've spotted - partly for fun, and partly because any minute now it will be a car park or a row of betting shops. The real place is somewhere near Whitechapel and Spitalfields. I can't remember precisely, I'm afraid. Sorry.