Texture, colour and craftmanship on display this May

Posted on 5 May 2023

Stop Press

Three local artists with very different styles will be exhibiting their work at Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot this May as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks. 

The three artists from southern Oxfordshire exhibiting their art are Janine Philips, Ben Hinton and Bahar Murphy.  

Janine Philips 

Janine Philips lives in Thame and has been a fulltime artist for over 10 years and is inspired by coasts and landscapes, exploring colour, texture and light in her work. 

To begin her paintings, she immerses herself in an environment that inspires her, will quickly sketch what she sees with watercolour and photographs before starting work on the larger canvases. Janine likes to revisit some of the areas she paints at different times of the year to see how the changing seasons affect the light, texture and colours. 

Ben Hinton 

Ben Hinton is a furniture designer from East Challow near Wantage. He and his wife Adelaide share a passion for simple design and attention to detail which they use to create beautiful handmade furniture. 

Ben trained at the renowned furniture college Rycotewood. He went on to work as a cabinet maker for an established workshop before setting up a+b furniture with Adelaide in 2012.  

They use native hardwoods in their designs which they combine with colour and texture to create furniture that is not only functional but brings enjoyment to those who use it. 

Bahar Murphy 

Bahar Murphy is a fine artist and interior designer based in Wantage. She started her professional art journey by studying her fine arts degree in Turkey. 

Her paintings are imagined cityscapes that pull together architectural styles and the use of symbols and motifs from history, religion and global cultures. 

Oxfordshire Artweeks is a chance to talk to artists and creatives about their work, watch demonstrations and even have a go yourself.  

If members of the public are inspired by the art displayed as part of Artweeks, Cornerstone Arts Centre exhibits work from local and national artists throughout the year.

Access to the relaxing gallery area is free anytime during the centres opening hours. 

There are also a range of art themed workshops for adults and children available to book at Cornerstone as part of the Summer season: 

• from 20 May to 8 July adults can sign up to the 90 minute “art buffet” sessions for anyone wanting to explore their creative side 
• due to its popularity earlier this year An introduction to Chinese Brush Painting is back on the 27 May 
• make your own Paper Plants for children during May half term 
• as part of Cornerstone’s Pride celebrations in June there is a drop-in Pride art workshop and Queer Life Drawing. 

The exhibitions will be available to view from Saturday 6 May to Tuesday 30 May.