‘Hard Place’ by Ben Fearnside.

Metal on Canvas at Gallery 40 in the Fringe.

Ben Fearnside returns to Gallery 40 from 6th – 20th of May, following the success of his 2017 festival show. The exhibition is free, open every day 11am – 6 pm.

The new solo show features Ben’s unique metal-art. Taking a new direction, his geometric abstracts reflect the tensions of our time: shapes divide, collide, teeter and strive for unity. Gentler organic works suggests cityscapes, rock-strata, the view through a microscope or telescope, the inside of a machine.

Ben’s works are vibrant and colourful. He uses real gold, silver, bronze, copper, brass and iron, combined with shellacs and acrylics in a light-responsive finish.

Ben says: ‘I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2006, which explains a lot about my past and my art. My thinking moves rapidly from A to F (skipping points B to E). I combine materials that generally aren’t compatible. One artistic experiment with ammonia landed me in A&E. It also explains why my work is so varied.’

Ben sold 15 paintings from his last festival show and was Guardian Guide pick of the week. He also raised £700 for the Sussex Beacon. This year he is fundraising for MIND in Brighton and . All of proceeds from one of the 20 paintings exhibited will go to the Charity. Come to the exhibition and see which one.

Entry to the exhibition is free. Small and large-scale works are for sale, prints available. Come and meet Ben and ask about his experiments.

WHEN, WHERE AND HOW TO FIND US

BEN FEARNSIDE: METAL ON CANVAS GALLERY 40 40 Gloucester Rd (corner of Foundry Street), , Brighton BN1 4AQ 6th – 20th of May 2018. Every day 11am- 6 pm

DROP IN/ FREE ENTRY

ARTISTS OPEN HOUSE DAYS Central Trail, Venue 3 Sun 6th, Sat 12th and Sun 13th 11am- 6 pm

BEN www.benfearnsideart.co.uk GALLERY 40 www.gallery40.co.uk MIND www.mindcharity.co.uk ARTIST OPEN HOUSES www.aoh.org.uk www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/ben-fearnside-metal-on-canvas- 2018-122655

Press contact: Anita Sullivan (curator): 07981 621 309 [email protected]