“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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Brothers of the Stripe are a collective of image-makers working across the UK who work on a mixture of art, graphic design, and illustration projects. The group were shepherded together by the foresight of Joel Millerchip, illustrator and unofficially, the illustrious leader.

Rainbow Kelly by Mr Millerchip

Joel went from city to city, getting full UK coverage by selecting some of his favourite illustrators to represent their area of the country, to bring what they do to the ‘Stripe’, and to play host once their time comes.

Expo by Mr Millerchip

Sampler by Mr the Beef

Some say our name comes from Joel’s obsession with the Newcastle United Football strip design, and that he has it tattooed on his underarm… annually.  Other rumours involve Stephen Chan once hypnotizing himself by staring at a barbershop pole too long, and the collectives shared loved of a striped Jamaican beer. Whatever it is, these boys are brothers in arms and industry.

Kyoto 1 by Stephen Chan

Kyoto 2 by Stephen Chan

So far, shows have included a spot at Get a Grip Studios at the Custard Factory, Birmingham and a day long take over of Design Museum, London. Next up, the collective find themselves in residence at the Soup Kitchen in Manchester sometime in October.

The Hunt (detail) by Will Scobie

Before long, Brothers of the Stripe will have reached the four corners of the UK, with representation in Scotland, Wales and England. Expect shows in Glasgow, Nottingham Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle and London in due course.

Clouds by Cloud Commission

One by Kristian Jones

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