Helios arrives in Lyme Regis this June

by Alison Shelton Brown May 2, 2024

In Greek mythology, Helios, the Sun God, dashes daily from east to west in a chariot pulled by his galloping horses. A heartening picture as we approach the summer solstice in June looking forward to longer and sunnier days. The upcoming show ‘Helios’ at the Malthouse Gallery in Lyme Regis which opens on the Summer equinox celebrates this love for the outdoors, nature and our world.

Ceramist Jane Staniland was so inspired by the title she immediately set about drawing Helios and his horses charging around her vessels. She says, ‘The sun and searching for it warms my heart. It is the source of light and life. In the good old British summer, I am hoping my pots will encourage the sun to shine on us all in this beautiful seaside town of Lyme Regis.’ She's designed a colouring poster especially for the show to encourage our smaller visitors to get creative.

The tiniest of pin-pricks allows the full might of the sun to reveal a moment in time and this phenomenon is captured on out-of-date film using home-made pinhole cameras by Robin Shelton, then printed onto expired paper stocks in his darkroom; often with painterly, dream-like results. He will be talking about these pinhole camera techniques during the week in the gallery.

Bronwen loves living by the sea and the tideline provides a wealth of resources for making. Eroding cliffs bring richly coloured ochres to the beach which is sadly often littered with brightly coloured plastic. Bronwen turns this uncomfortable combination of natural and unnatural materials into beautiful and meaningful art and jewellery.

Curator Alison Shelton Brown has invited artists and makers from around the South West to display a wide variety of materials and techniques at a range of prices. Along with those already mentioned, there will also be painting, jewellery, leatherwork, textiles, glass, lighting and ceramic sculpture. Something for everyone to see, touch and enjoy, with artist demonstrations over the ten days.