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5 Nottinghamshire Artists You Can Support from Home

Back in mid-March, before our lives took an unexpected turn, Nottingham Contemporary hosted a fair celebrating all things print. It was my last cultural day out, and with a variety of workshops and some thirty stalls to browse, it did not disappoint. The fair introduced me to many talented makers based here in Nottingham, and now, without galleries to visit, it’s a great time to bring art into the home, while supporting Nottingham’s creative community.

Here are a few of the featured artists, whose works are available for purchase…

Letters of Constraint: How the National Justice Museum are Documenting Life in the Coronavirus Era

With the aim of encouraging people to reflect on their lockdown experiences to create a written legacy of the COVID crisis, the National Justice Museum’s new Letters of Constraint virtual exhibition is looking for your participation. We talked to Dr Martin Glynn, the museum’s writer in residence, about how you can put pen to paper and be part of Nottingham’s lockdown story... 

“All my life I’ve been taught that the police won’t help me” – Artist and activist Kay on George Floyd, police brutality and the ongoing protests in Britain…

For many, the death of George Floyd was quickly contextualised as an American problem. Stories of racial profiling and police brutality have grown to become expected from a country that seems more divided than it has been in a generation, leaving many in Britain feeling disgusted at how things are done on that side of the Atlantic. But, as the events of the last week have shown, the illusion that issues raised from Floyd’s killing are consigned to the US has been roundly smashed, with thousands taking to the streets in eighteen countries around the world (as well as all fifty US States) to support the Black Lives Matter campaign, which is now considered the largest Civil Rights campaign in history. Growing up in the projects of Alameda, California to Eritrea-born parents, artist and activist Kay – who works under the name The Rainbow Prince – has seen the way police brutality and racism takes form on both sides of the pond, having moved to Nottingham six months ago. And as Notts gets ready to play its part in the movement with a protest on Sunday 6 June, we talk to Kay about why activism is important in the UK…

Under Cover Artist: Andreas Schlechtriemen

Sieburg-based artist and regular Notts visitor Andreas Schlechtriemen fills us in on what inspired his robin-themed cover artwork…

No. Twelve's Caramel Artichoke and Truffle Risotto Recipe

To help you beat the isolation boredom, No. Twelves' Ritchie Stainsby shares his caramel artichoke and truffle risotto recipe...

Interview: Corrina Rothwell on Life as an Artist and the End of Blather

After almost two years of unleashing the manic brilliance of writer Adrian Reynolds in an illustrative fashion, our regular feature, Blather, sadly came to an end last month. Instead of getting all melancholy about things, we chose to celebrate its time between the pages by catching up (over email, of course) with the local lady behind the brushes: Corrina Rothwell. Under the spotlight we get chatting about Blather’s beginnings, the pleasures and perils of being an artist and the inspirations behind her brand of explosive abstract workings.

Notts Street Art: A Checklist for Your Daily Walk

Hands up if you're missing the whole heap of real-world culture that Notts has to offer? I think it's safe to say we all are. But while we stay safe and stay home, there is one artistic offering still available from this city. So the next time you’re on your daily walk, run or cycle, take a minute to look around at the art pieces that aren’t in galleries or on our screens, but sit on Nottingham’s walls, buildings and side streets...

Introducing Our New Art Editors...

One of the last things we did before the world went all Walking Dead was to appoint two brand-new Art Editors. But sadly for us, them and the entire artistic community in Nottingham, all of the galleries in the city closed their doors soon after. So by means of an introduction, we thought it might be nice for Laura-Jade Vaughan and Rachel Willcocks to write about an exhibition that made a big impression on them...

Under Cover Artist: Beane

We talk to competition winner Beane about the inspiration behind his beauteous cover...

Under Cover Artist: Natalie Owen

We talk to LeftLion's own Natalie Owen about the beautiful she designed for our April issue...

Art Works: Zoe Kirk

Feast your eyes on her waterfall-inspired creation... 

Art Works: Colin Anthony Robson

Painter and designer Colin Anthony Robson tells us about his work, Prelude...

Comedian Mark Thomas is Bringing His History-Themed Show to Lakeside Arts in April

Comedian, presenter, political satirist, journalist, radio personality, libertarian anarchist... There aren’t many things that Mark Thomas can’t turn his hand to. With his brand new history-themed show, 50 Things About Us, heading to Lakeside Arts for back-to-back shows in April, we caught up with the stand up legend to get his thoughts on Nottingham, touring and the British Empire...

Under Cover Artist: Agnes Pap

Regular LeftLion illustrator and all-round good egg Agnes Papp gives us the lowdown on her beautiful history-themed cover and poster art...

Art Review: Crying Shadows, Flesh and Bones at Surface Gallery

Our writer Shaw had a lot of thoughts about this...

Art Works: Leosaysays

Moonliffe is a 2D action adventure video game being developed by regular LeftLion illustrator and all-round good-egg Leosaysays.

University of Nottingham Alumni Andy Wilson Works on the Call of Duty Franchise as Part of Sledgehammer Games

As Chief Operating Officer for Sledgehammer Games, University of Nottingham alumnus Andy Wilson has overseen some of the biggest video game franchises in the history of the medium, including Call of Duty. We caught up with him to talk about the current state of the industry, the unprecedented success of COD and violence in video games…

Art Works: Kay Arefaine

Kay Arefaine talks us through his striking faux leather creation: Teenage Fever

Multi-Sensory Stimulator Flight is Coming to Lakeside Arts

Heading to the Festival of Science and Curiosity? Make sure you check out Flight. It invites audiences to step inside a 40ft shipping container – with an interior exactly resembling a plane – and take a 30-minute short-haul flight in absolute darkness. Artistic Director Glen Neath tells us why it’s out of this world… 

The New Art Exchange Open is Back and Wants Your Arty Pieces

Paints, pencils and pens at the ready folks...

Under Cover Artist: Raphael Achache

Raphael Achache talks us through his retro board game inspired cover... 

Art Review: International Postcard Show 2020

Ah, postcards. Proper nostalgia stuff that. 

Art Review: 2020 MU

Our Adrian pottered down to Surface Gallery to check out another marvellous exhibition...

9 Tips for Emerging Artists from Musicians' Union

Aiming for a career as a working musician? Forget what your parents, no-good friends or washed-up X Factor stars say – it’s possible. We had a chat with the Musicians’ Union and asked for their top tips on making your dreams come true in a realistic manner...

Snap Notts: Hopkinson's Art Centre

Every month we pair up a local poet and photographer and give them a location in Nottingham to create work around. This month, it's everyone's favourite surprise-packed antique shop...