Meet North Coast Asylum

North Coast Asylum was born from our desire to create a non-London based sanctuary aimed at promoting contemporary Cornish based artists and photographers. We both have had experiences dealing with galleries in the past and wanted to create more of a collaborative relationship between the artists and us. As a result, we work with a very low commission rate and do our best to support and promote the brilliant talent we have on board.

We wanted to establish an approachable and supportive platform for young artists and buyers to connect, which was something we felt was missing. Cornwall houses a wealth of creative talent and we believed strongly that if we could give some of the emerging talent the appropriate platform, they’d flourish. So far, they’ve completely outshone our expectations! Also, Cornwall is a place of endless inspiration, so it was a no brainer for us two creatives.

As a gallery, we’re drawn to expressive works that draw on movement and tones from nature. We’re based 100 yards from the ocean so you’ll see that the coast and its surrounding headlands act as a strong influencer on all our artists. This will tie the whole curation of the stand together.

After an incredibly busy summer in Cornwall, we’re very excited about what we’ve curated for Battersea and how it shapes the moods of those visiting the fair as we move into autumn. Aesthetically though, each of our artists are bringing something quite different and each piece stands out in its own right. You’ll see tones of greys surrounded by deep blues and blacks alongside stunning detailed monochrome landscapes. Elsewhere we have bright pops of colour, reminiscent of Waikiki in the 70’s, and also vibrant aquas taken from one of the best Cornish summers in living memory. So all in all, something for everyone!

Jo: I create representational landscape and portraiture art, through using my hands and fingers to apply charcoal to paper. This adds a unique and emotional quality to the works. Often these works can be mistaken to fit into the genre of realism, however I create my works through a multitude of scribbly lines. So, the closer to the artwork you move, the more abstract it becomes. I like the idea of playing with shapes to create something that appears representational on a large scale.

Ben: As a photographer, inspiration for me comes in a very physical form. I have certain places and seasons that seem to offer endless inspiration. More often than not however, these places revolve around being in and around water (in whatever form). I love the different effect light can bring on water as it reflects and refracts whilst also changing from day to day.

Always trust your gut – the chances are it will be right. Go with something you have a strong emotional reaction to, that piece that you’ll be thinking about for months if you don’t buy. If you have this reaction to a work or even an entire collection, its highly likely that many other people will too.