The Geometry of Transition

Artists

Selwyn Midgen

Ursula Kellett

A collaborative exhibition by Ursula Kellett and Selwyn Midgen

One of the many advantages of having a studio among other artists is the possibility of developing a symbiotic relationship with like-minded creatives.

Ursula Kellett and Selwyn Midgen have, for some years, enjoyed studios on the third floor of a building in Wood Green, in the London Borough of Haringey. The building, now under the management of The Trampery an organisation dedicated to serving the interests of the creative industries, is home to some 60 artists.

The creative dialogue between Ursula Kellett and Selwyn Midgen unfolds through a delicate yet compelling interplay of abstract and figurative approaches, reflecting a shared commitment to exploring the boundaries of material and form. Ursula’s work, characterised by its dynamic use of texture and colour, resonates with the organic patterns of the natural world, while Selwyn’s recent shift towards geometric abstraction introduces a dialogue between structure and fluidity. Both artists engage in a process that moves past superficial depiction of their subjects. Their respective practices, though distinct in execution, converge in a mutual exploration of space, movement and the passage of time.

Ursula’s work is primarily abstract, while Selwyn, until recently, produced predominantly figurative work, focusing on landscapes either from his home in Highgate or inspired by his extensive travels. During the lockdown, Selwyn began to experience mobility issues, and due to the layout of his home, he became intrigued by the process of climbing up and down stairs. This led him to develop a series of more abstract works, which are featured in this exhibition. His geometric forms, vivid in colour, experiment with elements like gates and fencing. Selwyn’s work, primarily in oil paint, is presented on various hardboard surfaces, MDF, and specially prepared cardboard.

Ursula Kellett is a London-based artist whose work bridges the vibrant energy of urban life with the intimate, contemplative world of personal reflection. Over the years, she has developed an innovative use of colour and texture, capturing the essence of the city’s ever-changing landscape. Her mixed media pieces often incorporate found materials, lending a tactile quality to her work that invites viewers to connect with the physicality of her creative process. Her paintings utilise the interaction between traditional art materials with natural earth, lacquers, pigments, paper and sands, collected from around the world. The nature of these contrasting materials allows their inherent properties to create fluid shapes, reminiscent of patterns found in nature. Closer inspection reveals a fragile world frozen in time.

Selwyn Midgen is a British artist raised in Sussex, surrounded by the scenic vistas of the Sea and the South Downs. Following a successful career as a surveyor, at the age of 35, he traded the art of property consultancy for the art of painting, pursuing his true passion, landscape art. He completed a Diploma in Art at Sir John Cass in 1980, followed by further studies at the British Institute in Florence and short courses at the Slade School of Art and other notable art colleges in London, before setting up his studio in 2008 at the Chocolate Factory in Wood Green, North London. Selwyn has exhibited in numerous group exhibitions in London and Spain, and his paintings are in private collections in France, Spain, Singapore, and the UK.

Selwyn having recently enjoyed a successful exhibition at the Koppel Collective, these two artists decided to collaborate in another show to coincide with the London edition of Frieze Art Fair.