Here are two very different styles of painting yet both artists take us beyond the coloured surface into pockets of personal and collective memories. Stafford offers pictorial references to mythological, religious and cultural icons. Ansted presents abstract works where we can swim in our own emotions.

With his poetic titles, Stafford invites us into a strange world of European myth and Australian animals via the compilation of cultural and religious icons. For example Wings come out of the flames depicts a wise kangaroo, a Druid priest and a flaming phoenix emerging from the fire. The artist takes us through three different mythological references, or if you prefer 'languages of the gods', to remind us that we all communicate history in our own way. With that in mind, the goat with a red ribbon tied to his horn in The Thames Harbour Hotel (for He Hath Born us Across the Seas) may indeed be the biblical 'scapegoat' but as it faces a sailing ship on a foggy ocean rather then some middle-eastern desert, it could refer to England releasing all her sins and sinners onto this fatal shore.

Stafford's works employ fine drawing technique however some of his larger works reveal some unsure painted passages. Without a doubt the smaller works sing the strongest and tell the tales succinctly with a little room for personal side steps. There is I Remember Him Well - Homeless in the Galway Hotel, a reminder of how we can't deny what we are. This image depicts a herd of white swans floating together on a moonlit lake, held safely in formation by an old sheep dog. The faithful canine may be retired but can't ignore a lifetime of responsibility. Then there is The Individual (Who Flys Me to My Calling) a quiet exhibit that makes a potent comment. Here a flock of tawny pelicans glide across a darkening sky in one direction while a lone white pelican flies resolutely in the other. Both these paintings employ well chosen colours to punctuate the statement. Also much admired is a series of very well presented half face portraits of Samuel Beckett.

If Stafford's work makes you think, Ansted's exhibits ask us to feel. He drenches his canvas in layers of rich colour then glazes them to give the work a sensuous lustre. Despite the relatively small size of some exhibits, we feel we can fall into their warm wet dark blood hue with no fear; like returning to the womb. Viewing the series Eleven New Moons and the larger work Mirage feeds this basic urge, satisfying a natural human emotion. One word of advice here; as the non-verbal communication is sufficiently made with paint there really is no need for written inspirational explanations on the catalogue sheet.

I particularly like how the gallery placed coloured Hoglund glass pieces near Ansted's exhibits GM01, GM02 and Cognition as they compliment the glowing hues of the paintings to produce a bright and colour rich installation.

Both artists provide multiple layers of interpretations in their work, you will enjoy discovering something about the subjects and the self in the experience.