JUNGLE HARPIES AND AFRICAN VISTAS
This October, myself and my wife Inma Vila Solfire invite you to join us as we open the doors to a deeply personal artistic journey with our exhibition, JUNGLE HARPIES AND AFRICAN VISTAS.
Taking place right here in Brighton at the iconic REGENCY TOWN HOUSE, this is more than an art exhibition, it’s an exploration of where we come from, the rituals that shape us, and the rites that mark moments of transformation throughout our lives.
Drawing inspiration from ancient symbolism, folklore, nature, geometry and the raw beauty of the African landscape, the exhibition brings together a collection of original artworks created around the themes of origins, ritual and rites.
“JUNGLE HARPIES is inspired by the folklore around harpies as strong female characters and my love for birds’ delicate beauty. A tribute to family and the transitional nature of life, and to the importance of rite and celebration as we oscillate, sometimes perilously, its in between stage.” Inma
“AFRICAN VISTAS is inspired by my experience of growing up in South Africa, drawing on its rich visual language and landscapes. The collection moves through themes of creation, transformation, and the infinite, using simple yet intricate geometric forms to create abstract compositions. Influenced by the traditional patterns and motifs found across textiles and pottery, the works explore how repetition, symmetry, and geometry can create a sense of movement, rhythm, and connection.” Seth
At the heart of the exhibition is the idea of the mark.
For thousands of years, humans have used marks, patterns and symbols to communicate identity, belonging, spirituality and transformation. Tattooing has been part of the story for generations, a ritual through which something temporary becomes permanent and something personal becomes visible.
This is where the artwork moves beyond the canvas.
Throughout the exhibition, there will be live tattooing, bringing the ritual of marking the body directly into the gallery environment.
The tattoo becomes more than an image. It becomes an experience, created in the moment, witnessed by others and carried forward by the person who receives it.
The process itself becomes part of the artwork.
Each tattoo carries its own story, just as every piece displayed within the exhibition carries a story of its own.
The paintings began around the time our daughter was born, a period of profound change and new beginnings in our lives. In many ways, the work grew alongside our family, reflecting ideas of origins, connection, transformation, and the cycles of life.
Alongside the paintings, the exhibition will feature a small retrospective of our careers in tattooing, together spanning more than 50 years. It is a particularly personal part of the exhibition, as tattooing is where my wife and I first met.
Bringing these two parts of our lives together, the exhibition traces a journey from our individual experiences and careers in tattooing to our life together as artists, partners, and parents.
We look forward to seeing you there.
