WELCOME TO
Povera is an ongoing project, consisting of the use of waste products from skips and other peoples unwanted items.
This ever-evolving work incorporates the Shed (Povera) and makes the garden the canvas to display Povera in it’s entirety. While some may appreciate the outside will look at Povera from within. Povera is art with art.
This is my way of showing appreciation for nature and my surroundings by reusing old materials and repurposing it to make something unique.
My work involves the use of many materials ranging from broken glass, wood and sash cord, basically anything that I can recycle.
I have been working in construction for over thirty years where I collect materials left over from various trades. One of my favourite sources for obtaining materials are the skips on site. I can be spotted most days on the underground stations with salvage materials for my next project.
ABOUT ME
I have always been a creative person as far back as I can remember. I studied art at Waltham Forest College then moved on to Kent Institute of Art and Design, where I studied Spatial Design. I was also a founder member of Lewisham Art House, which was a residence for Artists, based in Hillifields School.
Over the years I have done a few commission pieces and still have aspirations to do more. I’ve also decided to concentrate on building up a large body of work for future exhibitions. I look upon art as being a part of me, an extension of myself. I can be found most evenings deep in solace in my studio.
I feel it is now time for me to showcase my work to the public. My work involves the use of many materials ranging from broken glass, wood and sash cord, basically anything that I can “recycle”. I try to make my work as imaginative and creative as possible and in doing so have developed my own unique style. Although I like to create abstract work, it can also be contemporary. Being a physical person my work has no limitations in terms of size and time.
are you ready for some shed heaven?
POVERA SHED EXHIBITION
Exhibitions
3rd-4th September 2022
Open Shed Weekend
10am-6pm
Please phone Michael for location details.
9th & 10th / 16th & 17th October 2022
Catford Arts Trail
For further details visit
catfordarts.org.
9th & 10th / 16th & 17th October 2021
Catford Arts Trail
11am-6pm
For further details visit catfordarts.org.
23rd & 24th November 2019
POVERA Shed Work: The best art exhibition in London (in a shed in Catford)
Visit Michael’s latest exhibition, as featured by
Time Out London
Michael is putting his garden shed forward for the Turner Prize
LOCATION: Catford, South London. Contact Michael for the address on 07949 230913
ENTRY: Free
TIME: 11am – 6pm
Michael featured in Time Out’s Instagram page
Michael featured in Time Out’s Facebook page
May Onwards 2016
POVERA Shed Work: The best art exhibition in London (in a shed in Catford)
An insight into my private space. Recycling waste materials into art form.
LOCATION: Catford, South London. Contact Michael for the address on 07949 230913
ENTRY: Free
Watch POVERA Shed Work 2 on YouTube
22nd & 23rd August 2015
POVERA Shed Work 2: The best art exhibition in London (in a shed in Catford)
In insight into my private space. Recycling waste materials into art form
LOCATION: Catford, South London
TIMES: 10am to 6pm
ENTRY: Free
Watch POVERA Shed Work 2 on YouTube
2nd May – 24th July 2014
The Good Earth
An exhibition by artists Amanda Taylor, Michael Connell, Peter Herbert and Tim Bradford, responding to the beauties, surfaces and shapes of our world.
PREVIEW THURSDAY 1ST MAY 2014 (5.30pm – 8.30pm)
LOCATION: The Conference Centre, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, London, NW1 OPE
TIMES: 9am – 5pm (Monday to Friday)
ENTRY: Free
TRAVEL: Buses – 46 or 214 OR Tube – Mornington Crescent/Kings Cross
Like The Good Earth on Facebook HERE
Sunday 13th April 2014
Jenny From The Block
Outdoor exhibition outside Cult Mountain in Brick Lane, East London
LOCATION: Cult Mountain, 141 Bethnal Green Rd, London, E2 7DG
TIMES: 11am to 7pm
ENTRY: Free
16th & 23rd Feb 2014
L’Art De La Mode – Spirit of Africa, Asia and the Caribbean
A breathtaking showcase of must-see designs, take centre stage, in a series of theatrical shows, over three evenings.
DAY ONE (Sunday 16th Feb) – The Tabernacle, 35 Powis Square, Notting Hill, W11 2AY
Doors Open @ 5pm | Show Starts @ 6pm
Tickets: £15
DAY TWO (Sunday 23rd Feb) – Official London Fashion Week Closing Show
Yaa Asantewaa Arts, 1 Chippenham Mews, W9 2AN
Doors Open @ 6pm | Show Starts @ 7pm
Tickets: £10
26th Sept – 28th Nov 2013
EPIPHANIES!
The Conference Centre, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, London, NW1 0PE
Monday to Friday | 9am – 5pm
An international group of outsider artists from a range of backgrounds celebrate the origins of their art.
Artists Including:
Sue Adden
Claudia Benassai
Kate Bradbury
Michael Bajan Connell
Lesley ‘Darlo’ Darlington
Yvonne Mabs Francis
Joe Gagliano
Sue Kreitzman
Rosemary McLeish
Judith McNicol
Sexton Ming
Liz Parkinson
Valerie Potter
John William
& many more from the NHS Foundation Trust and beyond
CURATORS: Peter Herbert and Sue Kreitzman
Travel: Bus – 46/214 or Tube – Mornington Crescent / Kings Cross
8th June – 22nd June 2013
POVERA – In Partnership With Lewisham Police
Lewisham Police Station (Outside), 43 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 5JZ
Saturday and Sunday – 10am to 7pm and Weekdays – 3pm to 8pm
A community art exhibition where the public are invited to participate in the painting of three large structures made from polystyrene.
Title of the structures:
Jenny from the block
What the **** is it
Untitled (to be sold when completed and proceedings donated to cancer research)
Let’s unite in the name of recycling and art and make this an event to remember
12th May – 19th May 2013
A View Through The PORTAL
You are invited to participate in a group exhibition at the Vibe Gallery, The Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey.
Private view – 13th May (6pm – 10pm)
20th October – 31st October 2012
Recycling Waste Materials Into Art Form
I will be exhibiting my work at Lewisham Shopping Centre, Molesworth Street, London, SE13 7HB.
Open between 10am and 6pm.
lewishamshopping.co.uk
19th May – 6th June 2012
“POVERA” With A Touch Of Colour
Crypt Gallery, Euston Road, London, NW1 2BA
We invite you to “POVERA” with a touch of colour, an exhibition by Mixed Media Artist Michael Connell. This Art Exhibition will be held at the well
stablished Crypt Gallery in London Euston NW1 On Saturday 19th May for private viewing and then continuing through to 6th June 2012. With our city location and an enthusiastic art community and the general public we
anticipate high numbers of visitors to the nineteen day event.
22nd June 2009
Public Art Community Exhibition
Bringing a Touch of Colour to the City
One Day Public Exhibition
From 9am – 8pm 43 Lewisham High Street
SE13 5JZ
Opposite Lewisham Police Station
(Nearest train station, Lewisham DLR or British Rail)
20th October 2008
The Bringing a Touch of Colour to the City Exhibition
One Day Public Exhibition
From 10am – 5pm St Paul’s Church Yard
Opposite Saint Paul’s Cathedral
11th October 2008
The Bringing a Touch of Colour to the City Exhibition
One Day Public Exhibition
From 10am – 6pm Loampit Vale Road, Lewisham
Opposite the DLR station
November 2007
St Johns Church Emancipation Exhibition
Orchard Road, Bromley
November 2007
City Hall Emancipation Exhibition
The Queen’s Walk, More London
1st – 15th October 2007
Goldman Sachs Private Exhibitions
133 Fleet Street, London
Early 2007
The LimeLight Gallery
Lewisham Library, 199 Lewisham High Street
19th – 20th August 2006
Barbados Expo 2006
Hammersmith Road, London
19th November 2005
Catford’s Finest Artist Public Exhibition
St Laurence Hall, 37 Bromley Road, Catford
FEEDBACK
Don’t take my word for it:
I have just taken the time out to check your YouTube channel, and also looking through the collections in your gallery. I must say I wasn’t disappointed I really like your art work.
BEN MOSS
Just discovered your work when walking through Lewisham shopping centre – what an unexpected pleasure! I really liked your work – full of colour and movement!
Bernadette Latour
Picked up a postcard at the Tabernacle, and thought I would check out your site.
I love your work! I hope to get a chance to view it in real life.
Amanda Renske Mann
Fab work. thank you for our impromptu crypt tour last Monday fantastic! good luck with all your work.
LOUISE BARTLETT
I’ve just watched Shed of the Year. I love your shed and your work. I would love to see it in the flesh, as it were!
LIZ TAITT
contact information
Call, email, or contact me
on social media
07949 230913
michael_bajan@yahoo.co.uk
