'FACE LIFT' Art Exhibition by Steven Bemmer

"This exhibition marks my first five years of painting with Sfumato Studio, in Stoke Newington. Under the guidance of Patricia Evangelista, I started my artistic journey by copying pictures from magazines in the studio, and later broadened my reference to include works by Lucian Freud and Jenny Saville, amongst others. My style has evolved as a result of changing from a brush to a pallet knife, with which I find a freedom from the strictures of technique, and an acceptance of mistakes and accidental marks. Often it feels like I’m wrestling with the paint; colours turn and shapes twist with each stroke of the blade. The final image is a flawed reproduction of the original, but one that consciously or otherwise allows a degree of self expression. Apart from my lovely wife, brother and cat Wiggins (RIP), the faces are unknown to me, but sometimes certain expressions or characteristics resonate to the point that they feel familiar; fragments of memory awaken and live in the time it takes to paint the image." The paintings are for sale, from £20 to £650. Original Gallery Opening Hours Mon-Fri 1pm - 7pm Sat 9am - 5pm Sun 12pm - 4pm Private view 6pm – 8pm Friday 5th September.