About this Event
Halloween Dreams: A Portrait Workshop in the style of Surrealist Valentine Hugo
Get into the spooky spirit and join us for an intimate afternoon art workshop. Learn about the revolutionary artist and writer Valentine Hugo, let your imagination run wild for 2.5 hours while painting automatic portraits and self-portraits inspired by her artwork.
All materials (paper, gouache paint, paint brushes, pastels, charcoal and mirrors) will be provided along with tea and cakes! Meet like-minded folk, have fun and take home your portraits as well as an instant photo of you with your artwork and a pamphlet on what you have learnt about Valentine Hugo.
All Hallow's Eve is believed to be a time when the veil is the thinnest between the physical and spiritual worlds, between life and death so we would like to ask you to bring nothing but a photograph (physical or virtual) of a departed loved one to draw from or if you'd rather, your favourite gothic literary figure, to celebrate and reflect on their lives.
This is the first workshop in a series led by Manchester-based artist, curator and facilitator Fruschian Void at Saan1 Gallery which will explore and celebrate the lives and works of the revolutionary women and non-binary artists of the Surrealist Movement, particularly during the mid 1920's to late 1930's in France.
The next workshop will be focusing on the fascinating lives and styles of lovers, step-siblings and artistic collaborators, Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore.
Only 10 spaces are available at each workshop!
All sessions are funded by Fruschian Void.
Agenda
🕑: 01:30 PM - 01:45 PM
Welcome and Introduction
Info: Grab a seat and some paper and get acquainted with each other while the host introduces herself and does a quick rundown on the workshop.
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Who is Valentine Hugo?
Host: Fruschian Void
Info: Listen to a brief talk on the extraordinary life of Valentine Hugo, when she discovered her unique style, what materials she used and her significance to the Surrealist Movement. Receive a pamphlet to take home for future study and view 3 examples of her work.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:10 PM
Demonstration of materials and warm up
Info: On scrap paper, get comfortable with blending gouache paint, pastels and charcoal in Valentine's haunted way.
🕑: 02:10 PM - 02:35 PM
Self-Portraits
Info: Using the mirrors provided we will dim the lights and play the music Valentine Hugo was inspired by to get in the zone for 25 minutes to create automatic, surreal self-portraits.
🕑: 02:35 PM - 02:45 PM
Trick or Treat?
Info: Choose from a various selection of teas including chai tea or Elderflower cordial along with cake and biscuits.
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:10 PM
Portraits of each other
Info: Get back to drawing and painting for 25 minutes but this time choose the person opposite you to draw!
🕑: 03:10 PM - 03:35 PM
Portraits of your chosen loved one or gothic literary figure
Info: Here is when we will spend another 25 minutes on drawing and painting from a photograph of our dearly departed or our favourite gothic literary figure (as it is Halloween afterall) or both! Try to delve into your subconscious while incorporating images of things they loved whilst alive, as Valentine did.
🕑: 03:35 PM - 03:45 PM
Walk around the table
Info: We will spend 10 minutes looking at what the others in the group have created.
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Fixing, tidy up and photo time!
Info: We will end the session with a quick tidy up of materials, an instant photo of you each to take home and then we will take your pieces outside to spray a fixative so they don't smudge during transportation. (You can also leave them with me to look after and pick them up from my studio around the corner at a later date if you are staying out to party for Halloween.)
Event venue & nearby stays
Saan1, 5 Kelvin Street, Manchester, United Kingdom
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