After a buzzworthy debut that drew a wide mix of culture vultures – and even a visit from the plod – We Love What You’ve Done with the Place is back. The group exhibition, originally co-curated by local artists Kieran Flynn and Melville, returns this spring with a fresh lineup and a renewed mission to showcase some of the city’s most exciting visual artists.
Led again by Flynn, the show will transform Two & Six Micropub on Snig Hill into a celebration of collaboration, creativity and community this weekend. We caught up with him to talk about the second edition, the artists involved and why Sheff’s DIY art scene is in rude health.
This is the second We Love What You’ve Done with the Place. What made you want to do it again?
The first one was super successful. I organised it with Sheffield artist Melville and we were really pleased with how many people turned out. It got so busy the police turned up to see what was going off! Melville’s had lots on with his own artwork, but I really enjoyed putting on the last one, so I’m taking it forward by myself. I’m sure Melville will be back exhibiting again soon. He better be after his Fagan’s show – that was mint!
So, are you hoping to make this a more regular occurrence?
Absolutely! There are so many great artists working in Sheffield and making interesting and original artwork. I’m hoping to establish We Love as an art night where people know they’ll enjoy seeing something a bit different.
What’s the meaning behind the title of the show?
It was originally an ironic title that Melville and I came up with. The last show was very politically charged – it was a dig at the state of the nation. I just really like it, as I think it still applies to artists making a group show. We take over the space together and hopefully the people who come along will love what we’ve done with the place.
You’ve got some great artists exhibiting this time around. Tell us about them.
Peaches – I’m sure everyone in Sheffield is aware of her. She painted that chuffing massive and incredible mural Reverie by Pound’s Park. Her stuff is super expressive, with hints of realism all done in a bold colour palette. She often juxtaposes images of nature against stark industrial buildings, so I’m excited to see what she produces for a gallery setting. She works all over the world, from the USA to the Middle East, so I’m happy we’ve managed to get her into a little white box space on Snig Hill. I just hope her work fits!
Proper Skint is a photographer who’s primarily interested in documenting working-class life and culture. She grew up in a single-parent family on a council estate, and she’d tell you herself that this has really influenced her work. Defiance in the face of struggle is a big theme – whether that’s in the people or the places she photographs. She doesn’t just shoot Sheffield either, she explores other working-class communities all over the country. This is her first exhibition, which is a massive coup for us. You saw her here first!
Ethan Lemon – I know from Kelham Island Arts Collective, where he has his studio. His paintings are done in a graffiti or street art style. He merges landscape, portraiture and abstraction with a distinctive colour palette. He’s another one with murals all over the world, with a few now popping up in Sheffield. He draws inspiration from his travels and everyday life, often working from the photos he’s always taking. We recently got him to do us a mural on the front of the studio and it looks wicked.
Kate Burden – makes both 3D and 2D work. She deconstructs old children’s toys and rebuilds them into playful and often quite absurd sculptures. Her collages are cut from old children’s books. I love this idea – we all know what children’s books are, they’re a reference point we all have. Yet the images she creates are very bizarre and unexpected. There’s a real sense of humour and strangeness in all her work, which I really love. She’s also got a great eye for colours.
Sara Prinsloo – is a multidisciplinary artist, so I’m not sure what to expect. I know she fuses fine art with illustration in her 2D work. She’s influenced by subcultures like skateboarding and DIY culture. Her pictures are bold, energetic, youthful and fun. Themes of recklessness, mental health and chaos often run through her work – all done from a female working-class perspective. Her last Instagram art reveal was both brilliant and brutal. I urge anyone reading this to go check it out. It had me in stitches.
And what about your own work?
For my own stuff, I’m in a bit of transition with what I’m doing. I’m still painting buildings and creating my own worlds, but I’m using different materials and trying to find more narrative in it all. There’s a definite feeling of isolation in it, which is probably a reflection on how the world is currently making me feel. I’ve no idea what I’ll put in the show – which is both liberating and terrifying.
What’s next? Do you have any more shows lined up?
The next one I’ve got in the pipeline is a Pride edition of the show. I’ll be doing it at Gage Gallery in Kelham Island in conjunction with Kelham Pride. It’ll be the same alternative style artwork, with all the artists coming from the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve already got some exciting artists confirmed, so watch this space.
We Love What You’ve Done with the Place returns to The Two & Six Micropub from 9–11 May. Drop in: Friday 19.00–22.00, Saturday 12.00–22.00, Sunday 15.00–21.00.
