Photo: Danny Evans
If you’re a tattoo fan, then you probably will have heard of Ash Lewis: a highly talented local tattoo artist, whose talent has been recognised multiple times throughout his career; most recently being crowned ‘Tastemaker’ at the Jersey Style Awards. Boasting over 140,000 Instagram followers, Ash’s gift for black and white portraiture is phenomenal, and you’d be forgiven for finding yourself fixated whilst scrolling through the reel of realistic and intricately detailed masterpieces that he creates in his St Helier based studio, Stone Rose Tattoo.
Ash’s career as a tattoo artist began after 6 year stint in the finance industry, where a longing for something more creative, coupled with the support of his family, led him to pursue his dream. To his advantage, Ash comes from a family of multi-talented creatives, and it is now through the encouragement of Ash and his close family, that three of his immediate family members are exhibiting their artwork in a joint exhibition.
Coordinated by Ash’s Mum, Trena, ‘Art Collective’ will feature the work of Ash’s Aunt, Karenne Le Goff, his cousin, Chantal Le Goff and his father, Ricky Lewis.
“My husband, Karenne and Chantal had been hiding their artistic lights under their proverbial bushels for some time,” says Trena. “The only way to get them to agree to show their work was to present them with a fait accompli, so I booked the gallery at Fort Regent and our Art Collective baby was born!”
The pieces on display will feature an eclectic mix of landscapes, portraits, wildlife and ornithology in a variety of mediums to include watercolours, oils, pastels and photography. Karenne, Chantal and Ricky are all self-taught, with each of them taking inspiration from their varied background of experience in much of their work.
Karenne took up art relatively recently after retiring from a career in Administration. She has already developed her own unique ethereal style; experimenting with a broad range of subject matter, using watercolours predominantly. Like most retirees, Karenne wonders where she found the time to work and enjoys supporting her husband, children and two grandchildren with all their activities and pursuits. Karenne’s diverse range of interests include singing within a community choir, cycling with the Jersey Breeze Cyclists, walking, travelling and meeting up with friends at the gym.
Her daughter Chantal, has recently returned to Jersey after spending 15 years working in Australia, where she travelled extensively throughout her time there. Before returning home, she travelled off the beaten track in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos, capturing much of the work that will be on display. During these latest travels, Chantal spent her time trekking in foothills and learning of each country’s rich history and culture, whilst experiencing local traditions by living with host families in home stays. From her travels, Chantal has captured a wide range of highly evocative images, and it is these coupled with her unique perspective on photographic artwork of our beautiful island that make a significant contribution to the exhibition.
Chantal leads a very busy professional life as Head of Corporate Sustainability for a global bank, which takes her far and wide. Her role has enabled her to immerse herself back into island life where she now works closely with charities, community organisations and schools.
Ricky has since taking semi retirement in recent years and finally found the time to dedicate to his passion for painting and drawing, and is constantly experimenting with several mediums including oils, pastels, charcoal and watercolour.
After a varied working life, including a career as a Car Paint Technician, Bird Keeper and Landscape Gardener at Durrell Zoo, amongst others, he is now a self employed domestic Gardener and enjoys time spent in the great outdoors. Over the years, Ricky has also successfully kept, bred and exhibited a variety of foreign birds, winning several prizes at local shows and being called upon to judge. His love of the natural world in all its forms is reflective in his portfolio at the exhibition.
His other passions include spending time with his wife and family, travelling to destinations far and wide, with Italy and the Lakes being amongst his favourite places to visit, and being another source of inspiration for his art.
“Together with the three artists, and the help of Karenne’s Husband, Guy, have all had the most fantastic time together collaborating, planning and organising the many varied aspects to ensure the success of our first exhibition,” says Trena. “We would also like to extend our thanks to Elizabeth Pryke of Grange Framing for her undoubted expertise, as well as Shannon Kelly, Event Officer at Fort Regent, whose help has been invaluable.”
The Art Collective exhibition will take place at the Fort Regent Art Gallery from 7th – 28th September, with all three artists available to meet in person on the 7th and 8th September from 2-4 pm.
Art Collective Exhibition
Fort Regent Art Gallery
7th – 28th September
Free entrance
Gallery opening times:
Mon – Fri 9am – 6pm
Sat & Sun 9am – 5pm
