Russell Scott-Skinner backs Beatbullying charity

Distracting the Colour is a striking exhibition of black and white
images displayed on white walls.

The artist is a descendant of the Scottish violinist and composer James
Scott-Skinner who once taught dancing to Queen Victoria's entire
Balmoral household.

Russell first worked as a photographer which he says was "a means to an
end" but early last year he found himself to be in his stride as an
artist.

He had lived in twelve houses before he was aged 18 but is now settled
in the Darenth Valley in Kent. He claims no affinity with its famous
artist Samuel Palmer who made the area his own.

Instead Russell admires Francis Bacon and claims to have an approach
similar to that of Henry Moore by working without any pre set idea.

"Just clear the mind and start work," said Russell at the show's opening on Thursday evening. Only once the image has evolved does Russell think about a caption.

Many of the prints and paintings on show are recent work with often a
substantial text as part of the work.

During the exhibition Russell Scott-Skinner is planning to be painting not in Kent but in the main window at gallery@oxo.

Throughout the exhibition there is an opportunity to bid for one of his
paintings via a silent auction. All proceeds from the winning bid will
go directly to the charity Beatbullying.

"Schools are such a vicious environment," says Russell who points to
friends of his age who are still affected by bullying in the past. He
praises Beatbullying for helping schools reduce incidents by as much as
80 per cent.