ArtHouse Jersey announces Collins as sponsors for the newly titled ‘Collins Pop Up Exhibition Series’
First show of 2025 is with local artists Emilie Knight, Mick Humpage & Kelly Jenner Swani
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 January 2025, 10am to 5pm
ArtHouse Jersey has announced Collins are the new sponsors of the now titled Collins Pop Up Exhibition Series for 2025 and 2026. The series is a well renowned programme of intimate weekend exhibitions featured across the year at ArtHouse Jersey’s HQ at the historic Greve de Lecq Barracks studios. There are six pop ups taking place in 2025 with the first on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 January 2025, running from 10am to 5pm on both days. This collaborative exhibition 'Divergent Perspectives' will present the work of Emilie Knight, Mick Humpage and Kelly Jenner Swani.
The Collins Pop Up Exhibition Series invites the community to enjoy the work of local artists in ArtHouse Jersey’s unique exhibition space for a short ‘pop up’ time period. The series is designed to showcase emerging local talent as well as new art styles from experienced artists. The series has been a resounding success since its inception in 2020, presenting the work of dozens of painters, printmakers, sculptors, ceramicists and photographers. The programme provides artists with a professional space to showcase their work while offering the public an opportunity to meet practising artists in person and learn more about their craft.
For the first Collins Pop Up Exhibition of the year Emilie Knight will be presenting a deeply personal body of work as part of a wider series that reflects on her recent autism diagnosis. Knight defies traditional painting tools, instead using exclusively her hands, fingers and feet to create richly textured and intensely expressive abstract works. Her intrinsic connection to the canvas allows her to explore the subliminal world of abstract expressionism, using colour and form that invites viewers to feel, rather than analyse the emotions behind each piece.
Emilie Knight said, “My work is currently centred around exploring my lived experience in light of a recent autism diagnosis. I am fascinated by the psychology of mark making and aesthetics as I continue my introverted exploration of the human condition. I’m excited to have this opportunity to exhibit alongside two talented artists and present some collaborative work alongside our individual pieces.”
Mick Humpage graduated with a Fine Art degree from Birmingham’s UCE. He moved to Jersey sixteen years ago and while he maintained a practice of using sketchbooks it has only been during the last three years that he has taken his painting more seriously, in part as an effort to support his wellbeing. His recent work seeks to explore and balance dualities such as: brutalism and beauty, structure and chaos, abstraction and representation, cityscapes and dreamscapes. His paintings often incorporate photography as collage elements that anchor more abstract components created by applying acrylic paint layers.
Mick Humpage said, “Meeting Emilie and Kelly and working towards this exhibition together has been a very inspirational process. Much of the work that I will be showing has been made since getting accepted by ArtHouse Jersey for the Collins Pop Up programme and I feel my artistic practice has been greatly enhanced by connecting with other artists. I am looking forward to seeing how the work of all three of us will play together as we hang the show prior to the opening night, and the celebration of creativity as a resilience mechanism.”
Kelly Jenner Swani will be exhibiting realistic paper floral sculptures with salvaged objects, insects and birds, alongside more abstract canvases inspired by Jersey landscapes and the natural world. Her artwork captures the fleeting beauty found in the intricacy of nature using a combination of found and natural materials, with wires and crepe paper. Each piece offers an invitation to explore intricate details of the natural world, which started for her as a form of art therapy when she developed a Functional Neurological Disorder. Originally a Jewellery designer, she moved to Jersey in 2023 which has allowed her to surround herself with nature and focus on her artwork.
Kelly Jenner Swani said, “My artwork captures the fleeting beauty found in the intricacies of nature. I am so excited to exhibit some of my new and larger works, alongside two amazing artists who have inspired me on this journey and am now proud to call them friends.”
Director of ArtHouse Jersey, Tom Dingle, said of the new partnership: “I would like to express how pleased we are that Collins have come on board as the new sponsors of the Collins Pop Up Exhibition Series. These exhibitions are a valued staple of our programme and the positive feedback we have received from artists and visitors alike over the past four years is a testament to the value of the series. This sponsorship will ensure we can continue to help support local artists by giving them an opportunity to share their work in an intimate and iconic setting for the whole community to enjoy for free. We look forward to announcing all of the creatives that will be participating during 2025 via arthousejersey.je in the new year”.
Brian McKenzie, Head of Design, Marketing and Print at Collins said “Collins is delighted to partner with ArtHouse Jersey to sponsor the Collins Pop Up Exhibition Series for 2025 and 2026. Supporting local artists and fostering creativity in the community aligns closely with our values as a business rooted in Jersey’s history. This series highlights the incredible talent on the island, and we’re excited to see how these exhibitions inspire and engage audiences throughout the year .We look forward to working alongside ArtHouse Jersey to ensure these events receive the visibility and recognition they deserve, and we are proud to contribute to nurturing the next generation of artistic excellence in the Channel Islands”.
The Collins Pop Up Exhibition with Emilie Knight, Mick Humpage, Kelly Swani Jenner will take place at Greve de Lecq Barracks on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 January 2025 between 10am and 5pm both days.
