Battling artists load their brushes

Aug 7 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

A NEW exhibition is seeing two Mersey artists go head to head.

Madelaina Murthwaite and D Tolley have teamed up – or, rather, drawn the battle lines – for Art Wars.

It can be seen at Next to Nowhere social club, on Bold Street, which can be found in the basement of News From Nowhere books. It’s the second exhibition in a month for Madelaina, after the success of her Beauty vs the Beast at the Liverpool Academy of Art.

A sufferer of the illness fibromyalgia, which at its worst left her unable to move her arms, she has fought back and forged herself a whole new career.

She said: “These last four weeks have been a whirlwind.

“I've been on the radio, artists have bought my work and the funds and awareness of the debilitating illness of which I suffer with are looking even healthier!

“Being approached by international artist D Tolley is such a privilege, I've admired his work for some time.

“My recent success has given me the confidence to take him on!”

Art-Wars runs until August 15 and prints of both artists’ work are available.

* NEXT to Nowhere is open Wednesday to Saturday, 12pm to 4pm (5pm weekends).