Artist Talks by James Peaple and Helen Belton
James Peaple
James is passionate about using the medium to creatively explore relationships between memory, identity and place, and in so I seeks to explore how cultural connections between people and their communities develop and are communicated through image to audience.
His practice is based on experimental forms of photography, using the image to transport the viewer to different times, worlds or dimensions. Sometimes these are connected.
I James tests this concept through techniques such as the kaleidoscope and double exposure, exploring their application in the context of passion and inspiration taken from Manga, Anime, Cinema and Graphic Novels.
Drawing on related Japanese cultural influences, the representative use of colour also plays a key role in much of his photography, reflecting his belief in its importance of communicating the meaning of an image to audiences.
These passions and interests drive James to constantly challenge himself to find new and innovative ways to redefine his practice while still remaining true to the unifying and central concept of the image being the audience’s gateway to relationships and worlds they reflect on.
"It's to his further credit that he chose not only to base his work on Dylan's, but then to choose to display that work where the poet was born. That is such a real way to link James in 2023 - and therefore the rest of us - with Dylan who lived in the house from 1914 until 1937. Seeing James' images hanging here certainly is an invaluable contribution to the continuation of Dylan's story, in this, the 70th year since his death. " - Testimonial from Alun Gibbard and Geoff Haden. Dylan Thomas' Birthplace.
Helen Belton
Helen's work explores the intersection of place, atmosphere, and memory, using the landscape not as a subject to be recorded, but as a space for emotional resonance. Rather than pursuing literal representation, Helen adopts a contemporary, reductive approach—distilling the landscape into pared-back forms, muted tones, and subtle shifts in texture. Each piece aims to evoke the emotional weight of a fleeting moment, offering a quiet reflection of time, space, and light.
The work is rooted in the sensation of being present attuned to the slow unfolding of a day, the softness of light, and the stillness of early hours. These are not landscapes tied to a particular geography, but rather to a sense of atmosphere and internal space, where memory and perception converge.
Varying the scale of the work introduces a deliberate tension, the brushstrokes and marks often remain consistent regardless of size, creating a visual conflict between the physical presence of the work and the intimacy of its detail. This dissonance becomes part of the atmosphere itself, asking the viewer to reconcile the immersive with the subtle.
The drawn line is playing an ever-increasing role in this process, bringing a sense of immediacy and informality that resists over-refinement. It allows the work to remain open and exploratory, more like a sketch or a fragment of thought than a finished image, preserving the transience at the heart of the experience.
“Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or just curious to explore something new, Tides Fine Art Gallery offers a welcoming space where creativity thrives and community comes together. With its ever-evolving exhibitions, thought-provoking talks, and commitment to showcasing the rich tapestry of Welsh talent, Tides is more than just a gallery— it’s a celebration of artistic expression in all its forms. Pop in, have a browse, and let yourself be inspired” By Alice Jones, Glyn Vivian Newsletter Spring 2025 about Tides Uplands
Tim Kelly facilitates the artist talks. Tim graduated with a masters degree in Fine Art with distinction from UWTSD in 2014, and has since been a practicing artist, exhibiting at the Glyn Vivian Open, Grand Theatre, and Elysium Gallery. He has been running Tides Gallery Mumbles since January 2022 and has recently opened Tides Uplands in Dec 2024. Tim is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors at Elysium Gallery.
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