Art

Jamie Hewlett: The Suggestionists

ink_d Gallery, North Road, Brighton, Saturday, February 13, to Sunday, March 13, 10am to 6pm, Sun noon to 4pm, free, 01273 645299

BEST known as the creator of Tank Girl and one half of cartoon rock band Gorillaz, Jamie Hewlett is bringing his latest work to Brighton direct from London’s Saatchi Gallery.

The Suggestionists was produced over a period of five years, focusing on universal themes of providence, sex and nature.

The three part exhibition takes its inspiration from the pines of the South of France, erotic 1970s film posters and the reconstructed Tarot de Marseille by Philippe Camoin and filmmaker Alexandre Jodrowsky.

Hewlett now lives and works in Paris.

He was born in Horsham and studied at Worthing’s Northbrook College where he created the fanzine Atomtan. The fanzine was spotted by comic book artist Brett Ewins, who offered Hewlett and collaborator Alan Martin the chance to work on his new magazine Deadline.

The pair created the comic strip Tank Girl for Deadline, which went on to be made into an ill-fated Hollywood movie in 1995.

After the closure of Deadline in 1996, Hewlett moved into advertising and designs for television, before starting the virtual pop band Gorillaz with his then flatmate Damon Albarn.

As well as creating four albums together between 2001 and 2011 – with a fifth rumoured to be in the works now - the pair collaborated on the opera Monkey: Journey To The West with Chinese actor and director Chen Shi-Zheng.

“The Suggestionists was first shown at the Saatchi Gallery at the end of last year,” says gallery manager Jenny Ogilvie.

“We are very privileged that Jamie has chosen ink_d gallery as its next location.

“The range of work on show in the gallery has been carefully chosen specifically for the space and the gallery will play host to Hewlett's idiosyncratic vision.”

More art exhibitions this week

Interventions: Northbrook College

Pallant House Gallery, North Pallant, Chichester, until Sunday, March 6, Tues to Sat 10am to 5pm, Thurs 10am to 8pm, Sun 11am to 5pm, £9/£4.50/under 16s free, 01243 774557

FINE Art degree students have created a series of imaginative interventions in the 18th century town house.

The group of full and part-time students studying for a BA (Hons) degree at the Worthing centre were encouraged to respond to the house’s location, history, design and architecture. Andrei Precup’s five wine bottles refer to original houseowner Henry Peckham’s occupation as a wine merchant, while Nikki Wilson’s Barley Grow explores the house’s site on an old malt house. A specially produced booklet will guide visitors through the house helping them find the works of art on bedside tables, window ledges and hearths.

Peter Sellers: Behind The Camera

Towner, Devonshire Park, College Road, Eastbourne, Friday, February 12, to Sunday, March 6, Tues to Sun 10am to 5pm, free, 01323 434670

FORMER Goon Peter Sellers was known for his uncanny ability to transform himself into a whole cast of different characters.

But this new exhibition at Towner explores his other life as a photographer – having sold images to the Evening Standard, The Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph and Vogue magazine.

This selection of more than 50 photographs, featuring both famous faces from the 1960s and 1970s and Sellers’ own family, was chosen by his daughter Sarah.

This weekend also sees the launch of With Art In Mind – an exhibition of work by people in the community living with mental health conditions.

Fresh AiR

Hop Gallery, Star Brewery, Castle Ditch Lane (off Fisher Street), Lewes, Saturday, February 13, to Sunday, February 28, weekends 11am to 4pm, free, 01273 487744

HOP Gallery’s 2016 programme opens with a series of three weekend artist in residence events.

Surrey artist Diana Burch takes over the space this weekend to create a series of large scale three-dimensional sculptures using lightweight materials to divide up the gallery space.

She will be followed by Sussex artists Patricia Thornton, Rachael Adams and Robert Littleford next weekend exploring the themes of narrative and journey, before London’s Andrew James projects new animations on the gallery walls on Saturday, February 27, and Sunday, February 28.

The New Immortals

Phoenix Gallery, Waterloo Place, Brighton, Saturday, February 20, to Sunday, March 20, Wed to Sun 11am to 5pm, free, 01273 603700

PART of this year’s Brighton Science Festival (see below) curator Judith Alder is exploring an age where scientists can create, manipulate and sustain life to an extent once unimaginable.

She will be joined by ten artists who are presenting new works following the theme of whether we really want to live forever.