Two Artists – Beyond The Canvas

Artists Neeta Pedersen and Hayley Brown combine for Two Artists – Beyond The Canvas at the Star Brewery Gallery, Lewes – a gallery exhibition where both artists work in situ.

It runs from October 24-November 1 (Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-4pm; Sunday, 11am-3pm; closed Monday).

As Neeta, who also runs the gallery, said: “Two female artists come together, connected by India yet approaching identity, heritage and creativity from very different directions.

“One was born in India and raised in Denmark by Danish parents. Her work is instinctive and deeply intuitive, drawing on tribal motifs, archetypal symbols and imagery that seem to emerge from somewhere beneath conscious thought. She has an innate connection to these visual languages yet cannot always explain where the inspiration comes from. Her work emerges from the inside — from the subconscious, the unknown.

“The other, British, born in England and later discovered that her brother's biological father was Indian. This unexpected discovery opened a door to a heritage she had not grown up with. Rather than having an inherited visual connection to India, she looks outward — exploring India’s vast culture, traditions, symbolism and imagery in search of inspiration that speaks across cultures.

“One looks inward to discover what is already there. The other looks outward to discover what might become part of her.

“Their journeys begin from opposite directions, yet both use art to explore identity and connection.

“For this exhibition, the artists will not only present their finished work in a carefully curated exhibition but also continue painting in the gallery throughout the show. The gallery becomes a working studio, inviting visitors to experience the creative process as it unfolds.

Visitors are invited to step inside the artists’ creative worlds — to see the work, watch it being made, hear the stories behind the paintings and discover the ideas, experiences and emotions that bring them to life.

“Rather than presenting art as something complete and untouchable, Beyond the Canvas offers a more intimate experience of what happens behind the finished painting. Visitors can see the beginnings of a work, watch it evolve and perhaps witness a painting that did not even exist when the exhibition opened.

“The gallery becomes a place of making, experimentation and conversation – where art is not simply displayed but created in front of you.”