Together Stronger

Philippa Punchard is a trans artist, former teacher and bookseller based in South London. Her work has appeared in a Queer Direct show and its book, also at Loudest Whispers and in Tate Modern and Dulwich Picture Gallery Late Shows.

She also curated consecutive Pride Month 'Queer Arts' Shows in association with the LGBTQIA+ charity, Opening Doors.

She also runs the Hackney art group with Rod McIntosh.

Her first book, ‘Gender Pioneers’, was published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers on 18th August 2022 and contains some of the portraits and biographies, which are part of her continuing project on Instagram.

Jose Gomez is a contemporary visual artist who lives and works in London, UK. He moved to London in the year 2000. He is natural of Seville, Spain, where he studied at the Seville Art School.

His distinctive personal style expresses the vibrant spirit and atmosphere of his cultural surroundings. As a dynamic and innovation-seeking artist, he evolves in each series of work that he makes, using different materials and techniques, which allow him to explore from various perspectives with energy and expression of freedom.

He studied Sculpture at the Camberwell College of Arts, obtaining a BA in 2012.

Jenny Foley was born in Portsmouth. Is a self-taught artist creating abstract paintings in acrylic on canvas.

Previously as the performance artist, Mrs Orange. In 1997 - stories from the book “O is for Orange”. Exhibited as Mrs Orange member of Neon Sirens Lesbian Art Collective Candid Gallery.

Exhibited at Royal Free Hospital member of Hampstead School of Art 2013-2014

Joined Hackney Art Group in January 2023 and finds it an oasis of creativity and community.

When not painting Jenny is to be found drinking oat lattes and making crochet blankets.

Rowena McCarthy was born in Hackney in a Mothers Home half way through the war. They started life humbly in rooms until the moved to Hainault. Her parents were creative and she was talented at school and received praise for her work through to secondary school. Where she fell in love with her art teacher. With the desire to go to arts school, it was not possible as she was expected to get a job and she became a window dresser. What follows, she describes herself as; ‘a few wayward years’. Starting a degree in her 30’s her friend and cohorts of students were active in community work and there began a passion to support, enable advocacy and activism. She came out in her 40’s and joined Opening Doors Art Group in the beginning and is the historian of the group. She creates pastel drawings, paintings and is working on a textile piece that is an interpretation of a fellow members abstract painting.

Alan R Duke was born in Bermondsey, went to school until he was 15 and left with no qualifications, His first job was a pastry cooks assistant, worked in various factories and became a coffin maker, as he enjoyed working with wood. His path changed when he got his first equity card and became a performer at the famous Windmill Theatre. Performing naked in 1975 in cabaret shows with a number of stars and activists for LGBT rights at the time. He became a renovator of properties with his late partner in the West Country.

He is a self -taught artist, and joined the group in the early days and loves attending the group to be able to create something in the session and take home. “I have always been creative and an entertainer”, he says.

BIO

Philip Humphries was born in Reading. He was expelled from school at 14 and went to work in shops. At 17 he joined the RAF and served for 4 years, thoroughly enjoying the forces life and introduction to catering. He left and started working for the Post Office as a storeman in the catering department. He continued with several jobs between London and Kent and developed a passion for food and hospitality. Working as a Matre De in the evenings and enjoying celebrity spotting.

In 1976 he met his late husband in the RVT and were together for 44 years. Following his death Philip met George a counsellor and he persuaded him to paint. Having not painted since he was at school after someone destroyed his lovingly created painting. In 2020 he was gifted a set of paints and brushes so he began. Self-taught, working from home. He joined the group 3 years ago and; ‘paints because it makes me feel good’.

Alan Poh was born in Singapore, he came to the UK 60 years ago to become a young school teacher. He is self-taught and wish he had studied it. However as a hobby he takes every opportunity he can to attend workshops or classes at the University of the 3rd Age and on his travels.

He is interested in colour, shape and composition and paints as a form of expression. The group provides friendship. A coming together and getting to know one another. He enjoys the experience of producing something every session that increases his capabilities and confidence.

Born in 1966 in Galicia, Spain. I have always been curious and surprised by what is around in nature and in man made spaces and its materials. The combination of randomness and precision.