A major free art exhibition celebrating winter folklore and West Midlands talent is set to open in Solihull this December. 'Winter Folk' launches on 12 December at The Courtyard Gallery within The Core, showcasing an impressive collection from 21 artists across the region.
Diverse Cultural Traditions on Display
The exhibition brings together a rich tapestry of folk traditions from cultures including the UK, Denmark and Ukraine. Visitors can explore a fascinating range of artworks including handmade dolls, intricate embroidery, paintings, collages and mixed-media pieces. The participating artists have all completed a fully-funded 'Get Gallery Ready' bootcamp at Solihull College & University Centre, creating a vibrant new creative community.
Among the standout works are folkloric portraits of both real-life and mythical figures. Painter Maya Davis-Stokes draws from family photographs to tell the personal story of her parents' chance meeting in Copenhagen, beautifully intertwined with the tales of Hans Christian Andersen. "I wanted to express the warmth they found in the winter and how out of the bleak cold a family was forged," the artist explains.
Winter as Metaphor and Inspiration
The seasonal theme provides powerful metaphorical ground for several artists. Janice Rider uses self-portrait painting to reflect on periods of "long distance separation, longing and isolation" from her Egyptian husband. Meanwhile, Milly Jackson presents three digital collages featuring folkloric heroines, blending symbols and traditions with winter themes of reflection, warmth and renewal.
Jackson shares her personal connection to folk art: "I have an inherited love of folk art. My mother lovingly stitched hundreds of embroideries inspired by folk samplers rich with naïve patterns, charming distortions of scale, and human warmth. I'm drawn to the pure, often untrained artistry of folk makers."
The exhibition also features evocative winter landscapes, including Karin O'Sullivan's hazy views over Moseley Park. For artist Sam Weeks, winter brings a metaphorical darkness expressed through woodland scenes: "My intention is to give an impression of the emotional shift I feel as the days shorten. I look for the season's stark beauty to balance the sorrow, loneliness and sense of foreboding."
Light, Hope and Community Spirit
Not all artists present winter as a time of darkness. Odette Campell challenges this notion with abstracted embroidery inspired by winter sunlight reflecting on Birmingham architecture. "The glimpses of sunlight in otherwise cold, stark scenes serve as a reminder of hope and resilience," she notes.
Perhaps most compelling is Mitch Schofield's work, which uses the ancient art of encaustic to create folk-style runes symbolising self-management strategies. "Thirty years of being supported by Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Trust to successfully manage my own bipolar has taught me what to be aware of to keep my mood on track in winter," Schofield reveals. "I have infused these lessons into folk art talismans."
The exhibition also includes handcrafted dolls by Lucy Sadova, celebrating her Ukrainian heritage, and works by Crow Dillon-Parkin inspired by female archetypes and folk legends. Exhibition curator Ruth Millington expresses her enthusiasm: "It's been an honour to work with this talented group who prove there is great power in collective endeavours. I hope visitors find seasonal magic in this exhibition, which shows enchantment in everyday life."
Adding to the festive atmosphere, a free-to-visit Arts Market will run at The Core during weekends from 29 November until Christmas, making the venue a true cultural hub this winter season.
