Simon David Eden MA Dist. (RCA)

An alumnus of the Royal College of Art, the Brighton-born artist’s life as a creative polymath began at ten years of age when he started to write and illustrate his own comics. At sixteen he became an apprentice signwriter, a skill set that enabled him to earn a living as an itinerant tradesman while developing his creative writing and abstract fine art practice.

A published playwright, author, lyricist, indie theatre director and filmmaker, Eden’s career has also spanned dance, music, and performance. He has written award-winning TV drama and features on commission for Hollywood studios, and has worked extensively as a lecturer and mentor to those from underrepresented communities. His body of work as an artist includes designing record sleeves, book jackets, film & theatre posters and stage sets, and his photomontage Flight was shortlisted for the Man Photography Prize, RCA.

Shadow Light: Songs My Brother Taught Me, is Eden’s first solo exhibition in twenty years. Encompassing collage, sculptural assemblage and limited edition photographic prints, the focal point is a treasured acoustic guitar (broken accidently) which represents both the emotional damage wrought by the tragic death of his older brother Stephen at age 20 in 1976, and the hope and salvation offered by the vibrant live music scene of Brighton in that period, in which Eden found his tribe, his true vocation, and a pathway through the darkest days of grief and bereavement through creative expression.

His abstract fine art is included in private collections the world over. Selected exhibitions include:

• The Weight of Fire / Square One Gallery, Kings Road, London
• Fragments / Cloisters, London
• Art International / Lyford Cay, Nassau, Bahamas
• 2^nd Art & Science Symposium & Exhibition, Tsinghua Academy of Arts, Beijing, China

Further information and links to his work can be found at: simondavideden.com

A link to a Different hats podcast interview with Sam Thomas can be found here…

Helena Michell (producer & co-director of Eden’s company Shiny Pin Productions) and the artist are proud to have the opportunity to use the platform of the show to help raise awareness for Rose Rowkins’ vital and inspiring Start the Conversation suicide prevention training. starttheconversation.uk

Preview: 1 May, 6-8pm