Curry meets canvas at Indian restaurant art show

GATESHEAD, U.K. - May 21, 2013 - PRLog -- THE North’s most celebrated painters have joined forces in an effort to breathe new life into the region’s art scene.

The North East Arts Campaign aims to raise awareness of work that takes its inspiration from the area’s iconic landmarks.

It brings together six highly-acclaimed painters who are seeking new ways to engage with art-lovers.

One of the campaign’s main aims is to identify new venues to exhibit artwork.

Promoter Dennis Anderson explained: “A lack of good galleries is one of the biggest stumbling blocks facing the region’s artists.

“Sadly, this means a lot of excellent work goes unnoticed. The aim of this campaign is to explore new ways of helping artists to connect with potential customers.”

The campaign is backed by six painters who specialise in capturing cityscapes in and around the River Tyne, and whose work has sold worldwide.

They are Jim Edwards, Roy Francis Kirton, John Coatsworth, Kevin Day, Ray Campbell and Anthony Marshall.

Already the campaign has won backing from an unlikely source . . . an Indian restaurant.

Raval Luxury Indian Restaurant, located just off the Tyne Bridge in Gateshead, is currently displaying paintings by all six artists.

Mr Anderson, who owns Newcastle-based Bridekirk Fine Art, which promotes 26 UK artists, said: “The six painters behind the North East Arts Campaign produce high-quality, iconic work that deserves a much wider audience.

“But the economic downturn, cuts to arts funding and a shortage of exhibition venues is making it increasingly difficult for them to connect with potential customers, even though we know they are out there.

“That’s why we’re delighted to have the backing of Raval Luxury Indian Restaurant. It might seem an unusually place for an art exhibition but, in fact, it’s ideal.

“The restaurant overlooks the Newcastle cityscape, which is the inspiration behind many of the paintings on display.

“That makes it a wonderful environment to view these great paintings with no pressure to buy.”

Raval manager Avi Malik, whose restaurant in situated between the Hilton Hotel and the Sage music centre, said: “Many of the region’s artists are having a difficult time at the moment because of the economic downturn.

“That’s why we want to do everything we can to support them.

Their work is not only wonderful, it’s also important because it captures all that is unique about our region.

“The paintings on display at Raval are for sale, and all of the money goes to the artists.

“They’ve caused something of a stir among our customers already, with many making enquiries about them.”

The works on show range from an original oil painting with a £3,800 price tag to high-quality prints from £140.

One of the artists, Newcastle-born watercolour painter Roy Francis Kirton, commented: “There is a lack of independent galleries in the North East and less of an art buying culture here than there is in the south.

“That can make life tough for artists who specialise in paintings inspired by this region.

“It’s always a struggle to get your work seen, so we’re delighted Raval is providing us with this opportunity.”

Another of the artists, retired miner Ray Campbell, of Blyth, added: “There’s not an especially big arts scene in the North East, so it’s difficult to get noticed.

“I’m always open to new ways of promoting what I do. The idea of having my work on show at an Indian restaurant might seem unusual, but I think it’s great.”