It’s Alright That I’m Terrified To Have My First Exhibition!

Caroline Oleron’s first solo exhibition includes a painting entitled It’s Alright That I’m Terrified To Have My First Exhibition.

“That probably tells you quite a lot about me, and about the exhibition itself,” she says. “I’m excited, I’m nervous, and I’m doing it anyway!”

It’s Alright runs at The Regency Town House in Hove from October 28 to November 1, 10am-6pm daily, free entry, promising “paintings about the things we find hard to feel, admit or say out loud.”

Caroline said: “I’m an artist and florist living in Hove. I’ve spent years working with flowers, thinking about colour, shape and how things sit together. Painting has given me another way to explore those things, alongside subjects that are much more personal. I’m currently studying for an MA in creative practice, and this exhibition has become a big part of that journey.

“It’s Alright is about the things we find difficult to admit, even to ourselves. The things we think we should have sorted out by now, the feelings we’re slightly ashamed of, and the gap between the life we imagined and the one we’re actually living. There’s quite a lot to work with there!

“I’ve been inviting people to finish the sentence ‘It’s alright that I…’ and I’ve received 360 responses. Some are funny, some are very ordinary and others really stop you in your tracks. Alongside my own experiences, they’ve given me starting points for paintings and a publication that brings these different voices together.

“What interests me is how something you think is peculiar to you can turn out to be familiar to somebody else. You say it out loud, perhaps rather cautiously, and someone says, “Oh, me too.” I’d love the exhibition to make room for those moments.

“Some paintings draw on memories from when I was younger. Others are about relationships, feeling lost or accepting that I’m not where I thought I would be in life. There’s humour in the work too. These are feelings we live with alongside making tea, walking the dog and getting on with the day.

“The paintings move between recognisable figures and more abstract shapes. Sometimes a feeling comes through more clearly in a colour or an awkward mark than in a carefully explained story. I’m learning to trust that, although I can spend a surprisingly long time deciding whether one small bit needs to stay or go.

“Preparing for the exhibition has involved plenty of uncertainty. Recently I put sixteen paintings together in one room and realised I’d have to work out how they would all live together on the walls. Then there are posters, invitations and all the practical jobs that don’t involve a paintbrush. It’s a steep learning curve!

“I want people to feel welcome to come in, look, chat and bring their own interpretations. There will also be a collaborative painting workshop with Figment Arts. Making art more accessible matters to me, and I hope visitors find something they recognise, perhaps have a laugh and leave feeling a little less alone.

“For me, it’s also about opening doors as an artist. I’d love this exhibition to lead to further opportunities, particularly to connect with people and collaborate. Those conversations can take you somewhere you wouldn’t have arrived at on your own. I’ve already got a few ideas for my next body of work so although I’m very much occupied with getting this exhibition ready, I’m also excited about what might come afterwards.”