Alfora

Expos Collective (Listing)

Blank Canvas

This self-help group of painters is based in the Algarve and consists of four members – Alfora (Chris Alford), Charlie Holt, John Lamonby and Robert Ford. Alfora studied art at Staffordshire University with further studies to masters’ level at Wolverhampton and Manchester Metropolitan University. He taught art and design at local colleges and at Staffordshire University. Exhibitions in the UK have included prestigious locations such as Manchester Academy, The Royal West of England Academy, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican in London and many more. Charlie Holt studied at Rochdale College of Art with further studies to masters level at Loughborough , Brighton and Manchester Metropolitan Universities. He retired from the position of head of Fine Art at Liverpool in 2000. His exhibition record covers a wide spread of venues in Britain as well as well as Spain, Russia and the USA. John Lamonby studied art at Northumbria College with further studies at Northumbria University. A practicing painter for over 30 years he has exhibited widely in UK and other countries and was a member of Tynside Artists Network. Rob Ford studied art at the Sutton School of Art with further studies at Putney School of Art and the Slade in London. He ran his own design company for a number of years and exhibits regularly at the Mall Galleries in London and at other prestigious locations. Blank Canvas is in the process of setting up a network of artists and has exhibited with a number of other professionals including Jessica Dunn, Valerie Bornand, Ligia, Otelo, Costa Pinhero, Vincent de Brito, Joana Rego, Tarsilla Anink, Paul Clifford, Guilherme Parente, Pedro Pinto Coelho and José Delgado Martin. Over the past four years they have exhibited widely in the Algarve with occasional shows in other regions and countries. They are now seeking to establish a higher presence in Spain and Northern Portugal