A new exhibition has opened to the public at the Folk and Costume Museum, with a multi-media curated gallery celebrating the work of Caitlin Grupping. 

The woman behind Ping Studios is well known for establishing Drink and Draw, an art club with an ethos of openness, both in its welcoming nature, and through its focus on still life. 

‘Form’ is Ms Grupping’s first solo exhibition, and it comes packed with beautifully presented pieces, and has already proven popular with gallery visitors. 

Open to the public at Saumarez Park’s Folk Museum between 09:00 and 17:00 everyday, visitors can expect beautiful bold colours, sublime shapework, and a welcoming space that looks to celebrate femininity. 

“My work is intended to celebrate the strength, vulnerability, and beauty of the female form,” Ms Grupping told Express.

“I think all too often women and women’s bodies are used in a way that caters to perhaps the male gaze or to sell things.

“I think there is something just incredibly wonderful and captivating about the female form, and particularly in abstract, I didn’t want it to be identifiable of who the inspiration was.”

Pictured: Ms Grupping said she was “really trying to tie the human body in a knot” and the result was “two strings of sort of hands and legs” which she could then “weave them together to create a knot.” 

Gesturing to one piece titled ‘Celtic Hug’, Ms Grupping explained: “I’m definitely not scared of color, color will often be the first thing that I’m drawn to. 

“For example, you’ve got the sort of block work, these are more abstract and kind of capturing the form without concerning myself with detail or shading.”

Pictured: Caitlin Grupping’s work focusses on the female form, and doesn’t shy away from being bold and bright in it’s use of colour.

Ms Grupping moved to Guernsey a decade ago, and has since established “a really wonderful network”. 

Not just through her ‘Drink and Draw’, but with “people of all ages and backgrounds”. 

It was no surprise that the turnout for the private view earlier this week was a rousing success. 

Not only did it receive a warm welcome from regular attendees of the Folk Museum, but also to visitors to the island. 

“I was really touched that when the drinks were going out,” said Ms Grupping, “there was a French tourist who just happened to sort of stumble in, looked at one of my pieces, and he was like, I must have that!”

The interaction clearly meant a lot to the artist at her debut exhibition, explaining “he doesn’t care about my feelings”.

It offered her a vindication for the vulnerability inherently found in showcasing art.

“That was a wonderful start to the evening,” she said. “The overall reception has been really positive, really encouraging, really kind, and just another sort of validation that getting out of your comfort zone is never a bad idea. No matter what happens.

“I would always encourage people to do things that scare them, never let the fear of being bad hold you back. You know, I say it, I say all the time: sing badly, draw badly, dance badly. Allow yourself to have all the experiences in life, because you never know what joy it will bring you.”

Pictured: Much of the work on display makes use of a technique called “tufting”.

Bridgette Pallot, the Museum Coordinator, said: “The opening was very chilled and relaxed and vibrant, lots of positivity, lots of nice comments and feedback, which was great!” 

The Folk Museum’s gallery plays host to a number of artists throughout the year, in fact they’ve got a roster booked forward up to 2032. 

She told Express “we do all sorts of things, from willow work and pottery through to landscapes and seascapes.

“I prefer to do local artists. I don’t want to, sort of, push artists from all around the world. 

“We’ve got enough talent in the island, and also to give people who haven’t really had an opportunity.” 

The newest addition to the list of exhibiting artists showcasing their talent in Guernsey fits that bil.

Ms Grupping has had a tangible impact on Guernsey’s art scene with Drink and Draw going from strength to strength. 

Although a minority of pieces on display were created at Drink and Draw, the exhibition builds on the foundations her club has laid over the last four and a half years, and for art lovers locally ‘Form’ is well worth a look. 

With her debut exhibition proving a success, a second shouldn’t be too far away, although the artist has plenty planned, including “a really ambitious, exciting project,” which is staying a secret for now. 

Ms Grupping said she was also “looking forward to planning our drink and draw summer social, which sees life drawing on the beach,” and explained there would be chances to experience “some life drawing here in the exhibition, whilst it’s on”. 

“You know I will never skip an opportunity to invite the community to be creative.”