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Katie Munro, a talented fine artist and illustrator based in Studio 11, is currently embarking on an exciting artistic venture as an artist in residence at Southsea Castle. This opportunity arose as essential maintenance work is being carried out on her Hotwalls Studio in Old Portsmouth, providing her with a fresh creative space to delve into her artistic practice.

During her residency, Katie’s new studio at Southsea Castle will be open to the public, inviting art enthusiasts and curious visitors to explore her captivating work and the inspiring atmosphere of her new space. The wonderful working studio, nestled within the historic walls of Southsea Castle, provides an immersive experience for visitors, fostering a deeper appreciation for the artistic journey that Katie embarks upon.

Katie’s residency at Southsea Castle will continue until mid-July, allowing ample time for art enthusiasts and curious onlookers to engage with her captivating artwork and gain insights into her artistic process.

Known for her versatility, Katie Munro employs a variety of media in her artistic practice, including oil and watercolor. Her drawings and paintings captivate viewers with their depth, vibrant colors, and meticulous attention to detail. Through her artwork, she masterfully captures the essence of her subjects, whether it be the delicate interplay of light and shadow or the intricate lines that bring her compositions to life.

Katie’s working studio will open alongside the new Southsea Castle Makers Market on 11 June. This event provides an opportunity for visitors to engage not only with Katie’s art but also with other talented makers showcasing their creations, fostering a vibrant and supportive creative community.

For more info, find Katie at About — Katie Munro (katiemunroart.co.uk)

Hotwalls Studios recently concluded a fantastic exhibition, titled “A Hotwalls Retrospective,” which marked the culmination of artist Karl Rudziak’s tenancy at the studios.

Curated by the artist himself, this captivating exhibition offered visitors a unique opportunity to witness the evolution of Rudziak’s work over the past seven years. As the weekend unfolded, the Round Tower became a hub of activity, drawing crowds of art enthusiasts eager to experience the retrospective and show their support for the talented artist.

‘Hotwalls Retrospective’ provided an immersive journey through Karl Rudziak’s artistic progression during his residency at Hotwalls Studios. The exhibition showcased his diverse body of work, highlighting the artist’s growth and exploration of various techniques and themes. From his early pieces to his most recent creations, viewers were able to witness the development of Rudziak’s artistic style and the conceptual depth that has defined his practice.

As a recipient of arts council funding and an artist deeply connected to his community, Rudziak’s retrospective showcased not only his talent but also the thriving creative comminity fostered by Hotwalls Studios. This exhibition was a fitting tribute to an artist who has made an indelible mark on the cultural community of Portsmouth.

A word from the artist:

‘It’s just incredible how seven years can pass so quickly. I’ve met people from all over the world; It’s been a privilege to listen to their stories, and talk about their lives. It has also enabled me to share my experience as an artist, to elaborate how I operate my practice and how I incorporate my own values into my work. It’s extremely encouraging how receptive people are, to art as force for good and benefit to community, not just a commercial enterprise.’

For more information on Karl and his work, please visit: Karl Rudziak Artist

At the end of May, Hotwalls Studios watched two resident artists, Hollie and Alice, as they embarked on their second collaborative project, ‘Sky and Earth: Foraging and Growing’.

Their initial collaboration in September had been met with fantastic feedback, combining weaving and ceramics to produce pieces inspired by nature and crafted from organic materials. Building upon their previous success, the second collaboration took their artistry to new levels, incorporating locally foraged clay and home-grown plants.

Hollie, a skilled potter, brought her expertise in working with locally sourced clay to the collaboration, adding an authentic and raw element to their joint creations. Alice, a talented textile artist, continued her exploration of sustainable practices by utilizing plants she had cultivated herself, which perfectly complemented Hollie’s ceramics. The union of their artistic visions resulted in a harmonious fusion of texture, color, and form, echoing their shared admiration of the natural world.

The collaborative project aligned seamlessly with Alice’s arts council project, “From Soil to Cloth,” which delves into the relationship between the earth, plant cultivation, and textile production. This thematic connection added depth and resonance to their joint exhibition, inviting viewers to reflect on the intricate interplay between art, nature, and sustainability.

The exhibition not only featured the collaborative works of Hollie and Alice but also showcased the mesmerizing artistry of Tomas Arreigota. Arreigota’s latest collection comprised sonorous artist portraits, capturing the essence and spirits of Alice and Hollie in a captivating manner. His distinct style of film enriched the exhibition, offering a multi-dimensional experience for visitors.

The collective exhibition showcased not only the artistic talent of the participating artists but also the inherent power of collaboration. The merging of different artistic disciplines and the shared vision of Hollie, Alice, and Tomas resulted in a captivating showcase that celebrated the Earth, sustainability, and the transformative nature of art itself.

Hollie exclaimed -‘ The second exhibition was an incredible success and brought people closer to the artwork, taking them back to raw materials and process. Thanks to all who visited Sky & Earth – Foraging and Growing. It was wonderful to collaborate with Alice one again and showcase our latest work and processes in weaving and ceramics.’

For more beautiful images and information on the project, please visit: sky and earth — Alice Hume (vanderhume.co.uk)

Circles, Cycles and Cylinders
The Round Tower, Hotwalls Studios, PO1 2FS
23-25 June, 10am to 4pm

Free entry

This year’s annual group exhibition by the resident artists of Hotwalls Studios.

Artists and makers from across the 13 studios will collaborate to create pieces inspired by the phrase Circles, Cycles, and Cylinders, on display in the city’s unique circular exhibition space, The Round Tower. The title is open to a wide range of interpretation and will be applied in a variety of media, including print, paint, jewellery, ceramic, and textile art.

The start of 2023 launched a year of events, exhibitions and markets to Hotwalls Studios, and saw the introduction of our guest artist programme.

Over the past four months, Hotwalls Studios has seen 4 talented artists take over the Round Tower on their monthly Open Studios. These artists have ranged from printmakers to large scale abstract painters, and have attracted over 1000 people into the 600 year-old building.

The feedback Hotwalls has had has been incredible, artists have found the days exiting and the public have found them intriguing and full of new things to try.

The Hotwalls Studios Team are proud to carry on the guest artist programme over the course of 2023, and announce each artist on the first of each month. Alongside each guest artist, all 13 studios will open their doors and two free drop in sessions/demonstrations will be available to the public each month.

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