I’ve been working on some brand new paintings and drawings recently which have been inspired by the legendary nightclub on Canvey Island… gone but not forgotten - The Goldmine.

Below are some cropped previews of some of the artwork not yet seen or shared with anyone, hope you enjoy them - let me know if they stir any memories.

You can see the brand new work irl for the first time next week when the show The Scene By The Sea by The Thames Group of Artists at The Beecroft Art Gallery opens. The private view is Friday 23rd May 6.30-8.30pm

Please do reply to this message if you’d like to come and I can add you to the guest list.

The Goldmine was a nightclub on Canvey Island between 1972 and 1989. In its hey-day it was the place to be seen, with regulars including Sade, Alison Moyet, the fashion designer Steve Linard and the band Talk Talk. People travelled in coach loads from all over the UK to attend. The resident jazz funk DJ Chris Hill is known as the UK’s first superstar club DJ.

Chris Hill had a huge following with club nights taking place throughout the week. Chris would interact with the crowd and promoted an inclusive atmosphere rather than circles or dance battles which excluded, rather bringing people together from different backgrounds through their shared love of music.

These works explore the theme of uchronia (alternate history) which is becoming ever more common with the evolution of an unregulated internet and ‘fake history’ being reported or indeed not recorded and forgotten completely.

None of the scenes pictured actually took place; the references for these paintings and drawings have been created using AI imagery derived from text prompts of The Goldmine history found online. Upon closer inspection many inaccuracies can be seen; an extra limb here, a dislocated hand there and modern DJ equipment being used by a re-envisioned DJ Chris Hill surrounded by his adoring crowd.

“Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Thames Group presents ‘The Scene By The Sea’, a multi-discipline exhibition featuring work by over 30 artists and special guests including; Billy Bragg, Phill Jupitus, Wilko Johnson, Ian Dury, Vivian Stanshall and more.

Artists such as renowned painter @simonmonkstudio, award winning sculptor @anneschwegmannfielding, portrait painter @victoriasills, photographer @deanchalkley_ and assemblage artist @catrionafaulkner have responded to locations plotted on a map created by author/musician @willbirchmusic, artist and former ‘Clash’ right-hand man, Kosmo Vinyl together with graphic artist Jules Balme.

The map and resulting exhibition is an exploration of many of the hippest clubs, pubs, discotheques, dancehalls, coffee bars, music shops and fashion boutiques that were pivotal in helping to create Southend’s rich pop culture heritage.”

@thamesgroupofartists @the.scene.by.the.sea @beecroftartgallery

#oilpainting #artexhibition #thegoldmine #canveyisland #beecroft