Long-term SOURCE readers will remember Kate Shields’ stunning cover painting of a butterfly-eyed Natasha Khan for our 2009 Bat For Lashes interview, the original of which hangs in the Caroline Of Brunswick.

Since February, Kate has been the latest beneficiary of a six-month stint working within the Artist Residence hotel in Regency Square. Her residency concludes this month with the opening of her first solo show, ‘Friends And Other Animals’.

The exhibition brings together colourful, wood mounted portraits of what Kate describes as, “some of the curious and wonderful people I have encountered whilst living in Brighton”. Kate’s circle includes some familiar Brighton faces, and their portraits are augmented with elements of other animals, from Disney baiting mouse ears to more of those vibrant butterflies. Each of the gentle juxtapositions reveals further layers of the personalities of Kate’s sitters, in an attractive mix of nature and humour.

Friends And Other Animals: Nocturnal Studies Of Some Rare Species
Artist Residence July 27th – August 27th 2012

Kate Shields Website