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FLUID: An Art Collection Revealed After 30 Years

The story behind FLUID — The First Art Exhibition of Andy Simler

Black Shuck Distillery, Fakenham Sunday 1st November 2026 | 11am – 3pm

A Creative Energy Revived After Thirty Years

Black Shuck Distillery will host the first public exhibition of artwork by Andy Simler on Sunday 1st November, showcasing a collection of twelve paintings created more than three decades ago. The exhibition, titled FLUID, marks a significant milestone in Andy’s life, both creatively and personally.

Painted in the early 1990s, these works have remained unseen for over thirty years. Despite the many challenges Andy has faced since their creation, the paintings have survived, carrying with them the rhythm, colour and movement of a time when creativity flowed freely. Now, at the age of 62, Andy is ready to share them with the public for the very first time.

The Meaning Behind FLUID

The name FLUID comes from a long-forgotten dream. During what Andy fondly calls his “rock ’n’ roll years”, he imagined forming a band called Fluid. The band never materialised, but the name stayed with him and today it feels perfectly suited to this collection. Each painting carries a sense of motion and musicality, with bold colours, geometric forms and repeating symbols that echo Andy’s lifelong love of rhythm and expression.

A Life Shaped by Service, Creativity and Resilience

Andy and Patrick, aka Mr Black Shuck, were childhood friends. After leaving school, Andy joined the Royal Air Force in 1980, serving for six years before discovering his vocation in social services as a play therapist. His work with young people and families shaped much of his early adult life, including time spent working with Barnardo’s.

In the years following the end of the war in Slovenia, Andy travelled there to support young people rebuilding their lives in a country recovering from conflict. It was meaningful and demanding work. During his time overseas, Andy became seriously unwell and was brought home for hospital treatment. The effects of that illness stayed with him and influenced the decades that followed.

The years after Slovenia were often difficult. Andy experienced periods of poor health, time in and out of hospital, and long stretches of isolation, particularly during the Covid lockdowns. Without regular contact or purpose, his confidence and wellbeing declined, and he relied on coping mechanisms that ultimately made life harder. Living alone in Stowmarket, far from familiar faces, he faced some of the most challenging chapters of his life.

Throughout this time, Andy was supported by Patrick’s mother, Mo. When she later developed dementia and could no longer provide the help she once had, Patrick and Sarah stepped in. Six months ago, Andy moved to Fakenham to be closer to people who care about him. The transition has not been without setbacks, but with steady support, renewed friendships and a safer environment, Andy is slowly beginning to rebuild.

Most importantly, his creativity is reawakening.

The Paintings

The works featured in FLUID are not new. They were created almost thirty years ago, yet they feel strikingly contemporary. Their bold colours and rhythmic patterns suggest music, movement and memory. Viewers are invited to explore their own interpretations within the layers of colour and form.

A Milestone in Rehabilitation

FLUID is not intended to be a grand gallery exhibition. It has been organised on a modest budget, with determination, encouragement and a belief that Andy’s work deserves to be seen. What matters is not prestige, but the opportunity to celebrate creativity, resilience and the restorative power of community.

This exhibition marks an important step in Andy’s ongoing rehabilitation. A celebration of rediscovering purpose and self respect after years of hardship, and a reminder that it is never too late for a new chapter to begin.

Limited Edition Prints & Original Works

Each of the twelve paintings will be available as limited-edition prints, individually signed by Andy. A small number of original works will also be offered for sale. Andy hopes that proceeds from the exhibition will help him purchase new materials so he can continue painting and build on the creative momentum that has returned to his life.

After more than thirty years, these works finally have an audience. And after many difficult years, Andy has the opportunity to see his creativity recognised and celebrated.

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