Colours that bond … our friendship
Julia Lampam and Melissa Purchase are sharing Studio 44, Chichester Open Studio exhibition (COS26), at New Park Community Centre.
Rooted in over 30 years of friendship, Julia and Melissa’s first public exhibition brings together photography, mixed media art and reflective writing in a deeply personal exploration of creativity, mindfulness and self-expression. What began during lockdown as conversations, collage-making and creative experimentation evolved into a shared journey of courage and discovery. In this interview, they share the inspiration behind their work, their creative process, and why they hope visitors leave feeling inspired to slow down, look closer and perhaps be brave enough to “make their mark”.
What brought you together to exhibit as an artist and a photographer?
Our friendship has been one of over 30 years, developed out of working together in publishing and also sharing our personal journeys outside of the work place. From lockdown we found ourselves coincidentally both facing redundancy and having to re-imagine our lives in different ways. To support us in this we met to chat and make ‘art’ (collage, mark making, journaling and playing with art materials). Independently we explored our love of all things visual and colourful – Julia engaging with the world through the lens of her camera and Melissa exploring art making, reflective writing and imagination. In the process, we both had started a new journey of self-discovery.
How would you describe your style or practice?
Julia: I use photography as a way of exploring my creativity. For me, taking photographs is just as much about patience and mindfulness as it is about observation. It gives me space to explore without knowing exactly where I’m heading, and there’s something really satisfying about connecting with my surroundings and capturing an image that feels meaningful in the moment.
Melissa: I find it bold to say I’m an artist, it takes courage to own that noun. For me, art making is an ongoing experiment in self-expression. I love to use a whole mix of medium, from collage, to water inks, to acrylics, to words – sometimes trying to capture a moment I’ve seen, other times to express a feeling I have or even to catch a dream before it evaporates. As a result, my style is somewhat whimsical.
What’s the focus of the exhibition and what drew you to explore this theme?
Julia : Having a camera in hand naturally slows me down and makes me more curious. I start to notice the quieter, more subtle details of everyday life. I enjoy playing with the camera: zooming in on colours, shapes, and light … and using it to interpret what I’m seeing rather than just record it. It’s those fleeting moments that often lead to images that feel more thoughtful and considered.
Melissa: The focus of this exhibition for me is 'What I see around and within me' - pictures, using a variety of medium, complimented by reflective writing pieces. My work is about allowing art making to support and express my inner world. I like to use reflective writing to deepen that dialogue between responding to the visual world in lines and colour.
Exhibit Chichester Open Art Studios
Letting in the Dragon
Julia Lampam and Melissa Purchase are sharing Studio 44, (COS26), at New Park
Exhibit Chichester Open Art Studios
Is there a particular piece in the exhibition that feels especially important to you and why?
Julia: “Morning Chores, Blue Sky” instantly takes me back to Marrakesh. I can still feel the warmth of the early morning sun and hear the sounds of the street below. Even though there’s movement and life around it, the image feels calm and still. It also reminds me of the friends I was travelling with; we were all quietly excited, trying not to giggle out of sheer joy as we focused on capturing such a classic moment.
Melissa: There is a piece you will discover in our exhibition called ‘Letting in the Dragon’; I did this in response to a prompt to consider where to find the spaces our dragons might enter… using the plasticity of acrylic paint and a palette knife I created this image of a dragon. For me the dragon represents the wildness of imagination and creativity – are we willing to make space for what that might open in us?
What do you hope people feel or take away after seeing your work?
Julia: I hope it encourages people to notice the beauty in everyday life; the small details, the patterns, the way light and shadow interact. More than anything, I’d like people to look a little closer and see beyond the obvious.
Melissa: I hope people might be encouraged to engage with their own creativity, be brave and ‘make their mark’.
What does exhibiting your work in this space mean to you?
Julia & Melissa: Exhibiting as part of Chichester Open Studios started as a call to each other to be brave – it’s our first time sharing our work publicly. We are excited to be sharing our work at New Park Community Centre because our story is one that calls on anyone in the community to be brave and ‘make their mark’ using whatever medium that works for them. We wanted to share what inspires us and invite you to join us in this journey of self-expression
Julia and Melissa's exhibition at New Park Centre. Café Bar, will be open from Saturday 16th May - Sunday 24th May as part of Chichester Open Art Trail
To find about more about Julia and Melissa visit :
www.blippingalong.com and www.heartofthematterartpsychotherapy.co.uk
