KINGSTEIGNTON-based artist Jayne Farleigh has an exhibition running in The Cafe, 76 Fore Street, Topsham, until the end of the month.

Her work will be familiar to anyone who enjoyed last year’s TAAG Teignmouth Lantern Parade and some of her work inspired by the parade will be included in the exhibition.

Jayne says: ‘It is so sad to think that this will not go ahead again this year potentially! 

‘Teignmouth Lantern parade November 2019 was an inspirational evening for me.

I am involved with the TAAG group in Teignmouth.

‘One of the Lanterns made by volunteers was a train made up of individual carriages built on shopping trolleys. I volunteered to help out pushing a shopping trolley carrying the end section. It was truly remarkable!

‘Being a mother I often look feel inspired when I am out and about with my children at various events.

‘My work is always a reflection of something I have experienced for myself, first hand.

‘At the time of this festival I was having a wonderful time enjoying the lights, music and atmosphere.

‘On a deeper level I had been reflecting on plastic pollution. I had started to think

about the cheap plastic toys that we buy at festivals like this. They are so pretty with their glowing

lights, but they have a more sinister side.

‘My generation has been bought up buying these items,

using them for a day or two and then throwing them in the bin.

‘I worry about the children having to deal with this massive clean up caused by the generations before them throwing away plastic.

‘You light Up The World was inspired by a boy following behind me in the lantern parade. As I

turned around to look back he almost felt like a leader of the group of people following on behind

him.

‘I felt like the world was literally on this boy’s shoulders. Surrounded by the beautiful glowing

lanterns, he represents the future for this world.

’

‘Plastic glow,’ is based on two lovely little toddlers holding a plastic light up spinning toy.

‘Don’t get me wrong, even I love the look of these toys despite the issues, I am such a magpie!

‘But, there is something about the light glowing on their faces. It reminds me of not only of plastic pollution, but of addiction to screens and lights on computer games that the current generation are only starting to understand.’

The exhibition runs until September 30, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm.