“Long live the Black Rock Swim Club! A hand drawn nautical landscape where tattooed characters float contently amongst the sharp black rocks; beehives and beards bob above sea level, with hand built rafts, flags and paper boats.”

Next week marks the launch of the Black Rock Swim Club, a collection of original paintings and screen prints by Suffolk based illustrator and character artist, Joel Millerchip.

Using reclaimed objects such as wooden paddles and panels, Millerchip brings his characters to life creating the story world that is: the Black Rock Swim Club. Promising humour and poolside drama, the show boasts a myriad of bold and often tattooed characters which float amongst the sharp black rocks. This isn’t your average swim club.

Milerchip, who has created work for Moshi Moshi Records and the National Trust is part of several collectives including Brothers of the Stripe, and the Exeter based No Guts No Glory, through which the Black Rock Swim Club is presented.

The opening event on 11 February will feature live music from surf-punk band The Red Cords and live drawing from Joel Millerchip.

The exhibition runs until the 15  March 2014 at Exeter Phoenix, Exeter.

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