TWO artists from Basingstoke will be holding an exhibition of their work which explores the close connections we have to nature and our surrounding environment.

The exhibition called Connected is a joint exhibition between artists Maria Murray, from North Waltham and Amanda Bates, from Kingsclere.

The exhibition will take place at The Lightroom in Alresford from April 22 to 24.

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The first night of the exhibition (April 22) will be a special viewing, including refreshments, music and a sealed bid auction. The artists will donate all funds received from this auction to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukraine Appeal.

The DEC brings together 15 leading UK charities raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas. The artists are also donating 10 per cent of all art sales to the DEC.

Both Amanda and Maria use their life experiences with relationships, grief, adversity, and joy to inspire their work, which is made using unusual techniques.

Amanda's work features drawings made from her own photographs, taken during walks in the Hampshire countryside. Landscapes and nature have been her focus over the years, and for Connected her pieces depict trees. She seeks out subjects with visual drama, and those that echo traditional tales.

Amanda uses a variation on traditional pen and ink and illustrators' scraper board. She uses light-fast pigment inks on a kaolin-coated board, which allows her to add and remove ink - effectively drawing in both positive and negative, black and white.

Maria’s current collections are created using scanography. She uses a flatbed scanner to scan real flowers, giving the finished images a very unique look. Many mistake them for oil paintings. Maria says it is like combining the Old Masters and modern technology.

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Her pieces for Connected, are mostly of flowers she has grown in her garden.

She added: “I am absorbed by our connections,” Maria said. “The connection we all have to each other, to ourselves, and to our partners. The floral portraits I create often illustrate a story - something that I may have experienced, heard, or something I feel strongly about or resonate with. The human condition fascinates me. Psychology weaves its way through my work.”

The exhibition is free and ticket details can be found here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/connected-private-view-tickets-292694606447.

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