Last Chance To See Striking Sci-Fi Art Exhibition At Mountbatten

There are just a few weeks left to enjoy a striking sci-fi dominated art exhibition, featuring work by Island-based artist and Mountbatten Isle of Wight patient, Clive Redfern Burrows.

The show features portraits of actors Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, as well as Batman villain, the Joker (which coincides with last month’s release of the film, Joker: Folie a Deux, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga).

“We’ve got a mixture of paintings at this exhibition. I wanted to show how diverse I was,” said Clive.

"My favourite theme is Star Wars but I don't only do that. There's the tiger, mermaids, the Hindenberg —  all sorts.

"Some of the paintings are up for sale, with a third of the sale being donated to Mountbatten Isle of Wight."

Clive’s exhibition includes artwork linked to the comics which Clive produces, featuring a character called ‘Weed Whacker Woman’, who is based on his wife, Dawn.

The free show is open to the public at the Newport hospice’s art gallery, off Halberry Lane.

To see the work for yourself, enter via the John Cheverton Centre, turn left at the shop and look for the art gallery sign.

Clive was taught to paint by his father and later, by a Carisbrooke High School art teacher.

Clive used to paint pet portraits but wanted to expand and now he paints whatever inspires him.

Talking about why he decided to exhibit at Mountbatten Isle of Wight, Clive said:

"Both Dawn and I have had cancer. Thankfully Dawn has been given the all clear.

“Unfortunately, I haven't. After the support I have had from the hospice and the support Dawn was given - we like to give things back.

Clive, who paints every day, for as long as he is able, is part of an artist and writer collective called Caulkhead Comics.

In this show, his paintings of the Hindenberg Disaster and ‘The First Martians’ are among his favourites.

"Mars has always fascinated me," he said.

"When you are interested in a subject it shows, because you put so much more into the painting.

"The detail and habitat, which feature in the painting, are based on original NASA designs."

Dawn's personal favourites, meanwhile, are the Joker and an imagined scene featuring mermaids and Freshwater Bay.

Clive admits there are ‘scores more’ paintings at home, so we hope he will be back with a second show in the future.