L’Esprit de Deux exhibition, Duckett and Jeffreys Gallery , Malton, until March 31 (From York Press)

L’Esprit de Deux exhibition, Duckett and Jeffreys Gallery , Malton, until March 31

3:14pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Exhibitions

WHAT started with Facebook encounters has grown into a cross-Channel collaboration soon to be on show at Duckett and Jeffreys Gallery in Malton.

Since opening the gallery in Old Maltongate in March 2010, owners Stef and Ian Mitchell have strived to bring challenging work by international and national artists into the market town.

“In doing so, it’s been an aim to set a context in which regional artists can show and develop work,” says Stef. “With this in mind, the unique collaboration between Yorkshire artist Chris Czainski and French artist Cendrine Rovini has blossomed.”

Cendrine’s tender drawings were already a constant part of the gallery’s DJ Selections, where works on paper from around the globe are presented in the gallery in draws as “carefully selected treasures to be discovered and enjoyed”.

This led Stef to play her part in bringing the two artists together for their L’Esprit de Deux (The Spirit Of Two) . “Cendrine’s drawings have been very well received here and it was on the gallery’s Facebook page that I noticed them being liked by Chris Czaininski,” she says. “Noticing common threads in their work, I messaged both artists via Facebook and proposed a collaborative show.”

Cendrine’s initial response could not have been more enthusiastic. “I would be greatly enchanted to have a joint show with Chris Czainski!,” she wrote. “I know her here on Facebook and love her work. I enjoy every idea regarding this joint show; just let me know what are your thoughts about it and I will make it with all my heart.”

Chris was equally positive: “I would be absolutely delighted to have a show with Cendrine,” she responded. “I love her work and have been following her on Facebook. Thank you. I am up for it!”

Since then, the artists have been sending artwork back and forwards across the Channel for each other to develop. Chris has sent felted work, into which Cendrine has interwoven drawings, while Cendrine has sent drawings on Chinese paper to Yorkshire on which Chris has applied her stitching.

“We’re proud to be sharing a space between darkness and light,” the collaborators say. “We bring our dark dreams into the sunlight through our images. This is the most precious thing we have as artists.”

Both artists exhibit widely. Cendrine’s work is being shown in the Da-End gallery in Paris, while Chris has just returned from Thailand, where she took part in an international exhibition and collaborative project at Chiang Mai University.

The opening of L’Esprit de Deux on February 29 will be followed by the official launch party on March 2 from 7pm to 9pm, when Chris will be in the gallery to answer any questions. Sadly, Cendrine cannot be there that night, but she will make her artistic statement in a short film to be shown at the launch.

The exhibition will run until March 31.

DUCKETT and Jeffreys co-owner and artist Stef Mitchell will run Drypoint Etching Print Making workshops to coincide with the exhibition.

These sessions will be held on March 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31 from 11am to 4pm, and the price will be £25 per five-hour session. Please contact Stef on 01377 236008 or 07854 741910 to reserve a place.

The gallery is open from Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm, and at all other times by appointment.