Female artist celebrates International Women’s Day with Shropshire exhibition

To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, The Bolthole, a creative space and coffee shop in Ironbridge, Shropshire is unveiling a new exhibition of work by internationally renowned local artist, Natalie Toplass.

Known for her dynamic, realistic depictions of the natural world, Natalie’s work is usually seen gracing the walls of galleries across the World, including London, Tokyo and New York, but for the next 6 weeks only, will be on display in Shropshire.

Spanning 15 years of Natalie's creative career, this collection celebrates everything she loves and is drawn to and features oversized oil paintings of sumptuous, magnified flowers and feisty birds suspended in flight. The large scale of her work is carefully considered to draw attention to common subjects shouting ‘look at me’.

Describing her unique approach, Natalie said “Although size is important, often it’s the space around the subject which creates the visual impact. A stillness surrounding a fragile bird draws our attention to this living thing with its absolute, unequivocal determination to survive. It creates time and space to really look at the qualities, character, colours and structures of these everyday animals that we take so much for granted.”

She added, ''Spring is definitely my favourite season; it feels hopeful of the year to come and hints at rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal and re-growth so is the perfect time to be showing this collection in my home county.''

Debra Harris, founder of The Bolthole added “We have long admired Natalie’s artwork, so were thrilled when she agreed to exhibit this collection in Ironbridge. It marks a new direction for The Bolthole, which over the past 4 years has built a reputation as an incubator for local fledgling artists and designer-makers. Although we will continue to support up-and-coming talent, attracting artists of Natalie’s calibre strengthens our position as a creative venue in the Ironbridge Gorge, the birthplace of creativity.”

The ‘Awakenings’ exhibition will be on display in The Bolthole at 4 The Wharfage, Ironbridge from Friday 8 March until April 18 2024 with a preview held on Friday 8th March from 6.30-8.30pm.