#jimhobbs

Tuesday 25th of September. We as a class had the privilege to go on a day trip to Hastings which is popular for it’s fascinating History of being an old Viking town, it’s buildings/architecture, the gothic style of it and the actual art community. 

I can say that was one of the best trips I have ever been on and felt extremely privileged to had so many amazing opportunities for galleries and artists to open their doors especially for us to explore. 

For starters you can feel the History of this place. It is somehow as if you have gone back in time and I do understand why artists would want to move there. The history does stimulate somethings in you. Not only that but the beach and the architecture surrounding the town. The beach is beautiful, the sea was clear blue and the air was blissful (We were lucky to have come down to visit on a warm day too) and it draws you in. The actual town and the structure of it is extremely fascinating as well. It is a typical beach side town as well as a very mountain and height orientated place. It’s got depth of all sizes and shapes. It was like a beautiful labyrinth made up of history and gothic eerie architecture. The houses were extremely dark and “creepy” they had these old school balconies and windows and roof structures that were black and really made every building feel like a Victorian church or castle. The more modern looking houses were the ones painted brighter colours. Also beautiful to see and made me think of Brighton but even the bright colours could not take away the feeling you do get when you arrive. One of the most fascinating things were the fisherman houses. The fact there little beach huts were 3 stories high so the fishermen could store more things and take up less space was so forward thinking of it’s time. They also looked like something you’d find in a Tim Burton Cartoon/film. It was a delight to explore, I felt very stimulated by the town itself.

Now, the art community. The Art Community in Hastings is bigger than people think. There’s a private Gallery next door to a Public one and next to a printing shop so there is a lot of opportunity there for your work to become public. Plenty of artists do go there and we had a blast exploring their private studios and seeing what an actual artist studio does look like. First Artist we had a pleasure to meet was Jim Hobbs. Seeing his studio (which was an old private club) was amazing. The story behind it too. It was an extremely lucky find for him for half the price he said his studio in London was and it was a massive space he could do a lot with and even had another artist who was renting out the space from him. He was a lovely man, answered all my question and was extremely interesting and fun. Seeing him and listening to him made me so much more passionate about art. 

We then saw Becky Beasley and Sophie barbers who had their studio just around the corner from Jim. Unfortunately their work has not inspired me or moved me in the same way as Jims. Their work wasn’t my cup of tea but nether the less they have done a lot of successful work which I admire their passion for.

We went to the Jerwood and had seen the art from Mark Wallinger and Wilhelima Barns-Gaham as well as their permanent collection which was a lovely experience too. Went on the funicular lifts. Absolutely terrifying experience. Kino Teatr was something else the Doug Fishbone film. I’d recommend to see if anyone understands it. 

And obviously made a trip down to the Project 78 Gallery to see Anne Parfitt show and spoke to the owners of the Gallery as well as Anne both about the Gallery and the story behind her art. Really enjoyed that though I was absolutely shattered at this point. 

Overall I had a fantastic day and had learned a lot on a personal level of art and artist and even considered moving to Hastings after getting home. 

(Underneath are pictures of Hastings, Different architecture, Jim Hobbs’ Art and everything else that happened during the day)