ARTEL is a group of professional artists who collaborate to exhibit their work whilst establishing a dynamic community. Working in the South Downs area, each artist has developed a unique and informed practice. The artwork from this covers a rich and diverse range of subjects and media shared through an annual show in Chichester at the Oxmarket Contemporary gallery.
2026 ++
Oxmarket Contemporary
13-25 October 2026
Opening times: 10am-4.30pm Tues-Sat; 12-4pm Sun;
(closed Mon).
St Andrews Court, off East Street, Chichester, PO19 1YH
2026 Exhibiting Artists:
2025 - THE SPACE BETWEEN
Oxmarket Contemporary Gallery
30 Sept - 12 October 2025
New work was created within the context of the artists ongoing practice that also considered this theme. Research resulted in final pieces that were provocative, playful, and profound, in drawing, sculpture, and painting.Christine Forbes B.A Fine Art (Hons). ALAM. SIAD.
Title A
Two large acrylic paintings have emerged over the summer from a collection of small, coloured pencil drawings she did many years ago. The ‘subject matter’ (or apparent lack of it) does have a figurative and philosophical root: how can an image be set, (something tangible for both viewer and artist) yet at the same time, be held at arm’s length? What, in our ever-changing world is real anymore?
It is of course the working process that has enabled this artist to transcribe her drawings; lines, marks and shapes laid out on a surface. The artist creating reality as she works whilst also referencing a particular drawing. Pen/paint/touch – hard surface: a human connection. An absolute.
Christine is a regular short course tutor at West Dean College, Chichester and also runs her own watercolour painting holiday each year in the UK. She is a published author & poet: ‘Drawing with the Brush’, Crowood publisher. Poetry (with others): ‘Random Walk’, Bookvault publisher. She has exhibited at The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London and this year at the International Watercolour Exhibition 2026, Australia. A.L.A.M (Associate of the London Academy of Dramatic Art). S.I.A.D (Society of Industrial Artists and Designers)
www.christineforbes.co.uk
Insta: @the_artbod