| Autumn 2007
Art
and more art
by Peter Kennedy
Gallery goers in Wivenhoe have been experiencing a
wondrous profusion of exhibitions in recent weeks.
Helen Lee's work shown in June at the Over-the-Sofa
Gallery was robust and mysterious at the same time.
A month later Annie Bielecka exhibited a selection of smaller works
there; lustrous textiles magically transmuted her landscapes and seascapes
of
Iceland
and of
Mexico
into wondrous realms of gold and silver.
At the private view Martin Newell read his poem "The
Whale Road" ... and the day after that Charlotte Bernays was
exhibiting her Flight of Birds
installation at the Wivenhoe Gallery — this flight of a myriad of tiny
birds of ink-stiffened fabric, strung between rods from the shipyards,
"is an evocation of our trips into the countryside with Spoke'n'Word".
And in the space opposite,
complementing
Charlotte
's installation, Adrian Moulton had his own exhibition of photographic
images, of fantastical locations in high relief, in desaturated tones,
atmospheric, dreamlike.
Shifting
Imaginations, Everard Longland's latest exhibition at the Wivenhoe
Gallery, 9 June to 5 July, was a treat for the eye and imagination.
An array of beautiful and intriguing works in deep colour —
watercolours of startling originality — lined the walls.
Fore and Aft, the
exhibition at the University Gallery from 7 to 21 July, celebrated the
awarding of an honorary degree by the
University
of
Essex
to James Dodds, in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the
local community as an artist. The
opening day was enlivened by Newell reading extracts from the "at
least five books" that the artist and the poet have published
together. Dodds' show of new
paintings was an impressive collection of vigorous images of boats — he
says "I like to see the boat as if there is light coming from inside
it" — and of the structure of boats.
"Horn Timbers 2007"
is particularly striking: Dodds, taking a detail of the timbers, has used
it to make a powerful and concrete pattern.
Wivenhoe, what a feast you provide for us.
And if I've missed some exhibitions that I should not have missed,
I'm truly sorry.
Peter Kennedy
Note: This article was first published in Wivenhoe News - Autumn 2007
Note: For other articles written by Peter
Kennedy - click here |
