Opening Reception Thursday 3 October, 5:30 – 8pm

Peppercanister Gallery is delighted to present a new body of work from Neil Shawcross titled Jazz.

Each painting, monotype and etching contains the word Jazz. The lettering placed in a quadrant is the starting point. The letters act as a formal structure, or composition and from there the visual music starts.

Shawcross’s continued love of colour is evident throughout the exhibition and each work creates an environment for the paint to express itself in through an assemblage of various optical dances, echoing the Charleston and Boogie Woogie.

Neil’s love of Jazz was assured through one of his oldest friends Solly Lipsitz, well known as the subject of some of Neil’s greatest portraits. Solly (who sadly died in March this year) is known as Doctor Jazz in Belfast where he influenced a multitude of artists, poets and musicians through his magical Jazz music shop Atlantic Records in Belfast in the early 1960’s.

Although this series of work began when Solly was alive and well, it is now a fitting tribute to a much loved and legendary character.

This unmissable exhibition of new work proves Shawcross’s standing as a unique and powerful figure in the landscape of contemporary Irish painting.

The artist will give a short talk about his new work on the night.