Solo Art Exhibition: A Splash of Colour by Michelle Baharier

Centre Administrator on December 2, 2024

Venue: Bonnington Centre Community Association
Location: 11 Vauxhall Grove, London SW8 1TD
Dates: 3rd December 2024 until 20th December 
Opening Reception: Meet the Artist on 9th December 2024   5.30 pm till 9.30pm
Admission: Free

Renowned British artist Michelle Baharier is set to present her powerful solo exhibition, A Splash of Colour, at the Bonnington Centre Community Association in Vauxhall, London. This exhibition showcases Baharier’s dynamic approach to contemporary art, blending expressive colours and textures that reflect her spirited interpretation of urban life, community, and mental health awareness.

Baharier, is celebrated for her powerful emotive works, which includes acrylic Portraits that break down barriers putting disabled people in the frame and architectural photographs, bringing a unique worldview.  A Splash of Colour is an invitation to explore the intersections of mental-health and creativity, conveyed through vivid hues and spontaneous brushstrokes. The variety of inspiring works on show depict the breadth of influences from narratives on resilience, joy to the power of people, many unknown, who have shaped our society

The Bonnington Centre Community Association, located in the heart of Vauxhall, provides an inclusive community space providing a cafe, gallery and the local community. This exhibition underscores its mission to foster community through art, social events, and creativity.

Artist Bio:
Michelle Baharier is an acclaimed artist and advocate whose work addresses social issues through a compassionate, community-oriented lens. Her exhibitions have inspired audiences across the UK and beyond, resonating with those who see art as a catalyst for social change. She is a n award wining graduate form the SLADE School of fine art, her work is in private and public collections. She is a member of ‘Invisible women’ an arts council funded group of disabled women artists, the Bethlem Collective, the Colour walk, Disability Arts on line. Michelle is currently commissioned to work with the London transport museum.

Exhibition Highlights:

  • A vibrant collection of paintings that evoke the energy of urban life and community spirit.

Join us for A Splash of Colour, an exhibition that captures the essence of community and the transformative power of art.

Contact Information:
For press inquiries, interviews, and further information, please contact:
Michelle Baharier
07952481566
mbfcsra@gmail.com

Social Media:
Follow Michelle Baharier and the Bonnington Centre Community Association on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the exhibition.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bahariermichelle/ 

Dyana Zada paintings

Centre Administrator on November 4, 2024

The Bonnington centre welcomes Dyana Zada, the London-based Syrian-British artist, for November’s exhibition, Vulnerability in Self-Expression.

The exhibition opens on Saturday the 9th November from 10am to 4pm, and on display until the 30th November (Bonnington Centre usual opening hours apply).

Featured in 2021 Boomer Magazine, under the theme of Identity, Dyana’s work focuses on our inner worlds.

Inspired by both figurative and expressionist styles, Dyana “reflects the intricate journey of self-discovery, capturing the psyche’s complexities through vivid and thought-provoking imagery.

Painting has been my refuge…through my art, I express emotions that are often difficult to put into words, depicting emotional states, longings and fantasies derived from my personal experience.”

Since her arrival here in 2014, she developed a passion for acrylics on canvas, finding this medium best conveys the sharp brightness of her vision.

“It’s fascinating how art holds different meanings for different people, making it a shared journey of discovery between the artist’s intent and the viewer’s perception.”

Visit our latest art exhibition and share the journey with Dyana!

Raffle offers chance to be photographed by artist Bari Goddard in THE DRESS

Centre Administrator on March 2, 2024

(Main photo: Pippa D in THE DRESS. Copyright Bari Goddard)

A unique raffle is running until March 28th 2024 with just one prize – being photographed in a stunning white dress by Bari Goddard, the avant-garde and wonderfully controversial Welsh singer-songwriter, artist, and photographer.

Bari’s latest show, THE DRESS, is also running throughout March at both the Bonnington Centre and the Bonnington Cafe in Vauxhall, SW8 1TD. 

The show – several years in the making – features dozens of notable LGBTQ figures, including celebrities such as Holly Johnson – wearing the same beautiful white dress. Each wearer brings their own personality and emotions to their photoshoot – leading to a richly textured and emotional show.

Bari’s work as an artist encompasses film-making, painting, photography, and music. He has performed and recorded with Jimmy Somerville, Madonna, Cliff Richard, Banderas, Horse, Vinna Bee, Anarchistwood and Then Jerico.

Critic Andrija Seifried is full of praise for Bari’s new work: “Bari shows both a mischievous and sometimes grotesque sense of humour through placing before us a complex tableau of uniquely different scenarios and moods. What we wear is rarely who we are.

“You really have to know the artist to understand and journey through this bizarre carnival of characters which include Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Adele Anderson of Fascinating Aida, Charlotte Hunter of Harry Potter film fame and a myriad of other straight, gay and trans and non-binary subjects.”

Until March 28th, raffle tickets will also be on sale for £10 each featuring a remarkable prize – a photoshoot for the winner while wearing THE DRESS at a London location. The prize draw will be made at a special event at the Bonnington Centre shortly after the raffle closes, and the winner notified. 

The raffle winner will be the last ever person to be photographed in THE DRESS before Bari himself dons it for the last time, and then sets it on fire! 

Raffle tickets can be purchased for £10 each, and you can purchase as many as you’d like, using the QR code above. Please include in the Notes section your name, and THE DRESS RAFFLE. Bari has kindly decided that 50% of all proceeds from the raffle will go to the Bonnington Centre Community Association, a not for profit, community-led resource.  

While the City Sleeps: Copyright Bari Goddard

Bari Goddard’s spectacular show THE DRESS comes to the Centre and Café – March 2024

Centre Administrator on February 29, 2024

(Main picture: 21st Century Pieta, copyright Bari Goddard)

The Bonnington Centre is excited to announce that Bari Goddard, the brilliant avant-garde and wonderfully controversial Welsh singer-songwriter, artist and photographer is premiering his exhibition THE DRESS throughout March 2024 at both the Bonnington Centre and the Bonnington Cafe.

The show – several years in the making – features dozens of notable LGBTQ figures, including celebrities such as Holly Johnson, donning the same beautiful white dress. Each wearer brings their own personality and emotions to their photoshoot – leading to a richly textured and emotional show.

Bari’s work as an artist encompasses film-making, painting, photography, and music. He has performed and recorded with Jimmy Somerville, Madonna, Cliff Richard, Banderas, Horse, Vinna Bee, Anarchistwood and Then Jerico.

Critic Andrija Seifried is full of praise for Bari’s latest work: “Bari shows both a mischievous and sometimes grotesque sense of humour through placing before us a complex tableau of uniquely different scenarios and moods. What we wear is rarely who we are.

“You really have to know the artist to understand and journey through this bizarre carnival of characters which include Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Adele Anderson of Fascinating Aida, Charlotte Hunter of Harry Potter film fame and a myriad of other straight, gay and trans and non-binary subjects.”

THE DRESS opens for viewing on March 1st, and can be seen in the Top Room either by attending booked classes or events during March, or by requesting admittance. The easiest way to see Bari’s photographs in the Bonnington Café will be to eat there – with the Café now open Tuesday to Saturday evenings from 6pm to 10.30pm, and for Sunday brunch from 11am to 3pm. There’s also a Private View on Sunday 3rd March from 5pm-8pm. Please email bari.goddard@gmail.com for more information. 

Remarkable raffle

Until Thursday March 28th, raffle tickets will also be on sale for £10 each – with no limit per person – featuring a remarkable prize: a photoshoot for the winner while wearing THE DRESS at a London location. 

The raffle winner will be the last ever person to be photographed in THE DRESS before Bari himself dons it for the last time, and then sets it on fire! The raffle is now open, and tickets can be purchased for £10 each, via Paypal using the QR code below. 

Bari has kindly decided that 50% of all proceeds from the raffle will go to the Bonnington Centre Community Association, a not for profit community led resource.  

Pippa Davenport, one of the Trustees at the BCCA, who has herself also been photographed by Bari in THE DRESS, says she is delighted that the show will be in the heart of Vauxhall, which enjoys the second highest LGBTQ+ population in the UK.

“Like any member of the LGBT+ community, moving to a new area was a little daunting. But soon after arriving, I realised how special the Lambeth community is,” says Pippa. “That’s why, when I was asked to put myself forward as a trustee of the Bonnington Centre, I said I’d love to. Helping to reopen the Café – and helping to make the Centre a place where anyone can come and feel safe is even more important now.

“The artist Bari Goddard took this wonderful photo of me – which represents to myself the strong person I’ve become over the 29 years since my surgery. But also the vulnerable, unsure person that’s still inside.”

The wonderful Pippa Davenport, a BCCA trustee, in Siren of the Silent Age (copyright Bari Goddard)

A Message from the Bonnington Centre

Centre Administrator on December 10, 2021

A great deal of speculation and opinions have been voiced about the unfortunate current situation between the Bonnington Centre Community Association (BCCA) and the Café User’s Group (CUG) resulting in the temporary boarding up of the Café.

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After many years of continuous attempted negotiations initiated by the BCCA, no settlement has ever been reached between the BCCA and the CUG. This is because the CUG have always failed to recognize or respect the formal authority and legal responsibility of the BCCA who are a not-for-profit registered company, limited by guarantee with charitable aims, run by volunteers who are responsible for the entire building. The CUG have continuously avoided becoming a legal entity even though they have been a very successful, entirely private enterprise and have made a lot of money as personal profit for many years. The CUG has evolved into a small, enclosed group that has excluded local people who live in the BCCA’s area of benefit (Bonnington Square, Vauxhall Grove, Langley Lane). None of the CUG members live in this area of benefit.

The BCCA intends to reopen the Café as soon as practicable with local cooks. CUG cooks are equally welcome, subject as everyone else to the signing of the BCCA’s license and agreeing to be managed by the BCCA for the benefit of the local community

11, Vauxhall Grove SW8 1TD

bcca@btinternet.com 0207 820 7466

BCCA Benefit Night 26th November with Club Night

Centre Administrator on November 15, 2021

BCCA Benefit Night returns to dish up delicious delights in the BCCA cafe as complement to the Club Night upstairs featuring
~JAZZ in the TOP ROOM with:
Marcus Hill (piano)
Tomoko Nakahara (Clarinet)
Dave Eastham (Tenor sax)
+ Folk with: James Booth (guitar and vocals)

A Year in the Community 1- 4pm Sat and Sun 20 & 21 November

Centre Administrator on November 1, 2021

Another chance to see wonderful photographs from Geir Engene documenting different community activities and gatherings in the neighbourhood over 2021.  This exhibition follows the previous show of photographs from lockdown 2020 and the ingenuity and creativity of local residents. Calendars and photographs will be available for purchase.