Ramshackle and roll images of a rejuvenating Plymouth give colour to the city where some see grey

Folk-pop-art: Steve Gribble’s art work captures the colour and energy of a regenerating Plymouth

Plymouth-based artist and musician Steve Gribble has been watching the city by the sea develop and that regeneration features in his work, which will be in an exhibition at Bistro One for six weeks from Saturday, January 15.

The energy, colour and vigour that Steve sees in the city is captured in simple sketches and bathed in colour in what’s been called folk-pop-art.

Steve is also in the Plymouth band Francis and the Drakes, and he says ‘this collection is a ramshackle and roll companion to my music and writing’. His music and his art work are intrinsically linked. Not only have his last works featured on the last two Francis album covers, but both are heavily influenced by Plymouth and what it’s like to live in the city and wider West Country.

Steve Gribble: ‘Like much of my music, these images are influenced by the city of Plymouth and it’s beautiful surroundings’

“Like much of my music, these images are influenced by the city of Plymouth and its beautiful surroundings,” he says.

“I want the pictures to capture my experience of living in such an inspiring and engaging part of the world and to express the hope I see in the growth and development of the city, both physically and culturally.”

Steve is part of that cultural growth of the city, and has featured in the first Anon exhibition, which brought together and showcased a selection of artists and photographers from the South West.

And in the build-up to the exhibition Francis and the Drakes will be performing live and chatting to John Govier on his Saturday morning Radio Devon show on January 8. Francis and the Drakes will also be performing an acoustic set live at Bistro One on Friday, January 28.

Steve is also a member of Plymouth band Francis and the Draks: ‘this collection is a ramshackle and roll companion to my music and writing

Steve told ArtsCulture: “Bistro One is renowned for its support of South West artists and I’m very proud to be featured there.

“The last five years have seen giant cranes dominate the city’s skyline. These modern symbols of regeneration and rebirth feature in several of the pictures in this collection.

“Where many people see Plymouth in the tones of the grey stone of 1950s bland architecture, I want to express the colour, life and spirit that exists in and amongst the people and places of this city by the sea.”

• Steve Gribble’s exhibition will be at Bistro One, Plymouth, from Saturday, January 15.