Talented Town

 This months new hang in the BEA Gallery based in Basildon Eastgate Shoppign Centre features some amazing new artists as well as some of the galleries established artists. Since the gallery opened in the summer last year, it has provided an outlet and a platform for the local talent in Basildon to showcase their work. It is astonishing that there are so many different styles- (amateur and professional) artists working away within the borough.

This month I have been lucky enough to have been selected to exhibit some of my sculptural works. The majority of my works in the gallery are small paper sculptures made from newspapers. I enjoy regenerating old papers and giving them a new life, reclaiming their history. I am fascinating by the properties of paper as a medium, how strong it can be and the limitless boundaries and process manipulation that you can encounter with this medium.

Alongside the paper sculptures I have placed a found object piece and one of my soft sculpture installations.

 Installation View of BEA Gallery January 2012

 Wall Graffiti by Lisa Smith, Felt fabric and toy stuffing, The soft sculptures are based on Graffiti tags from a project in Deptford. Each unit is made from the same tag and has been coiled up to represent a scorpion, referencing the old port based along the Thames.

 Side view of Wall Graffiti

 Ode by Lisa Smith, This piece is an old pair of boots that I lived and died in during a year of losing weight. On the side of my very worn boots I used a silver gel pen and wrote and Ode to my legs, thanking them for all the abuse I have given them and all the places and triumphs they have faced with me.

Below are a selection of some of my favourite pieces in this months exhibition. Why not pop along and let me know what catches your eye? email lisamart@hotmail.co.uk

 A Bryan's rendition of Van Gogh, Noon Rest from Work

 Rebecca Goddard fabulous Plastic Carrier bag weaved 'Love'

 'Paws for Thought' by portrait artist Christie Wickenden

 'Geisha', in pastels by Doreen Jefford

 'Manhattan' by Emma Henderson

 One of Graham Collins spectacular canvases

 'Boy Fishing' by James Holmes. Oil on Canvas

 A stunning Mediterranean Street scene by Jim Hammond

 'Close to the Gate' by J W Johnson, Oil on Canvas

 'Skin Deep iv' by Kirsten Burley, Oil on Canvas

 A selection of cartoon and fantasy drawing by Liz O'Brien. Check out more of Liz's work on www.bertsworld.co.uk

 One of Mark Asquith's amazing canvases that was inspired by his beautiful children

 'Red Circle' by Paul Butler

 'Waterfall' by Nanae Miller, Oil on Canvas

 'Dollier 1' by Pearse Hall, Acrylic on Canvas

 'Whiskers' by Peter Holmberg, Watercolour on paper

 Rob Coles organic installation of wall papers and cellular forms

 'Boys Don't Cry' by Sandra Taylor

 My favourite piece in this months exhibitions, Sarah Sigston's mixed media seascape

 'The Lake' by Steve Burdett, Oil on canvas

 Another formidable pop culture portrait  - 'Lady Gaga' by Sue Barnfield.

I adore Sue Cowley's mixed media piece 'Rose' made from glass, wire and metal.

If you live or work in Basildon and are interested in exhibiting yourself in the gallery, pop along to pick up an application form. You will find the gallery in the first floor of the Eastgate Shopping Centre, opposite New Look.