Star Brewery Gallery

Edge of No Control is the title of Jeremy Cunningham’s exhibition at the Star Brewery Gallery, Lewes (September 26-October 4; Tuesday-Saturday 11am-4pm; Sunday 11am-3pm; Monday closed).

Jeremy, best known as the bass player of The Levellers, will give a talk about the show on Saturday, October 3 at 2pm. Admission free.

The exhibition Edge of No Control is the visual story of a journey back to health after a mental breakdown suffered by the artist in September 2025.

“The paintings cover the ten months it took me to get back to some kind of normality. It’s the most personal exhibition I’ve ever done and I certainly hope I don’t have to do another one anytime soon! That’s what the title alludes to.

“The pictures start off chaotic and multi-layered and gradually become simpler and more confident, more immediate. Still immersive but the artist is back in some kind of control again.

“The work records not just the difficult parts of that period, but also the return of energy, clarity and confidence. Each painting became part of the process, reflecting where my head was at the time rather than trying to make everything neat or comfortable. There is no attempt to tidy up the experience. The pictures are what they are, an honest reflection of lived experience

“It’s a visual trip – a rollercoaster ride; honest, brutal and uncensored. Full of love.

“All the artwork is mixed media. Oil, Acrylic, spray paint + pens. Everything signed, dated and authenticated on the reverse.

“I did a two-year foundation course at the independent Reigate School of Art, 1982-4 then a three-year degree at Brighton Art College 1984-7. Influences range from anonymous cave painters to taggers on toilet walls today.

“I admire the unknown artists who illustrated the great medieval gospel books, like the Irish Book of Armagh (although we do actually do know the name of that scribe – Ferdomnach, who died in the mid 9th century).

“More recently I get a lot from the American abstract expressionists – especially De Kooning, and the new German expressionists like Georg Bazelitz and A R Penck.

“But I’m most inspired by the guys I work beside – my peers, The Postman, Broken Heartist, Rocio Hodson and Cassette Lord. I see myself in that same continuum of outsider art from rock carvers in the Stone Age to street artists today.”