New Leamington shop shocases promising student’s work

Henri West’s collection, Ascension, presents works completed during his first two years of a fine art degree at Coventry University.

The 21-year-old, who has studied photography and three-dimensional design as well as his current discipline, works in a range of media, including embossed, collograph and drypoint prints, glasswork, sculpture and paintings.

He said: “Ascension includes things I’ve been looking at like little ruffles of bird’s feathers and the Renaissance paintings of angelic beings. I like to take inspiration from other ideas and artists but make it into my own by putting my personal mark on it.”

Describing his creations as abstract, Henri says he develops his style by beginning with the work of established artists and seeing how he can adapt what they have done to his own work.

He has also tried his hand at modelling, having produced a 1.25 scale model of the Priory Theatre in Kenilworth. Anthony James of the theatre wrote in the company’s newsletter shortly afterwards: “It is skills like Henri’s that keep theatres the places of magic they continue to be”.

After completing his degree, Henri hopes to find a job that gives him enough time to carry on with art projects alongside, eventually becoming an established freelance artist in his own right.

Ascension is on at Garrett Books in Clemens Street until Friday April 8.