A REDDITCH artist is making waves by the seaside – in Plymouth.
Joe Allen from Church Hill received a first class honours degree in Fine Art from Plymouth University, went on to win the prestigious Ben Hartley Award and has been awarded free studio space and a residency in the seaport’s upmarket leisure harbour project.
Joe’s talent was spotted at primary school but things really took off when he went to Studley High School where art teacher Debbie Jones encouraged him to follow his passion and make a go at art.
“She was the one who pushed me in the right direction, who gave me the courage to go for it, and one of the things I’d like to do is have the opportunity to go into schools and really reinforce the importance of art as a means of expressing yourself, no matter how good or bad you are at it,” said Joe, aged 22.
And he is scathing at measures by central government to move the focus away from the humanities and more on to maths and science.
“It’s like they don’t see art and the humanities as an important subject – but look around you – don’t they realise that art and design is in everything? They just don’t see the importance of creativity,” he said.
Proud mum Lynda is delighted that Joe is following his dream, but admits to having mixed feelings over the career path he has followed.
“Both myself and his dad Mark have really supported him, and you never can tell how things will work out, but he’s happy and so focused on his work and he’s done well,” she said.
Joe has made Plymouth his home and is currently preparing work for a new exhibition.
“I’ve had a bizarre year, I feel so lucky to get a residency, and who knows what the future will bring?” he said.
For more on Joe, visit http://artjoeallen.wixsite.com/joe-allen-
