The Magic of Landscape
Sarah Vivian & Izumi Omori
The Mariners Gallery, Norway Square, St Ives
16th to 29th April 2005, open 10.30 to 5.30 every day
This major exhibition by two of Cornwall’s leading ‘popular’ artists has an exciting dynamic in the similarities and contrasts of work. Both artists’ work is figurative and landscape based, exploring imaginative and intuitive responses to the land, and the earth energies or *magic* of the landscape. Their work is lively, colourful and dramatic, and both explore a wide range of subjects and palettes. In other ways too, Sarah & Izumi have many similarities; both have supplied original paintings cards and prints to numerous outlets for several years, mainly in Penwith, both have had several successful solo exhibitions, have work in international collections, and both live in St Just.
Despite these many similarities, each artists’ work is distinct, recognisable, and very dissimilar. They have a different personal response; Sarah’s is to a specific landscape location, and Izumi’s is to an imaginative blending of elements. Sarah’s work is highly detailed & hyper-real, whereas Izumi’s work has a dream-like quality, and there are extreme differences of method; Sarah uses classical techniques to achieve carefully planned results, whereas for Izumi, the creative process itself determines the outcome. To quote from both –
Sarah writes – “My painting is an expression of my love of the land here in West Penwith, a connection with the beauty and power of the landscape. I try to express the magic or earth energy, the essence, or resonance of a place, a stone, a tree. I look for the symmetries & similarities of patterns, the inherent fractals of growth & movement, and emphasise these. For the paintings to have a strong visual, emotional & spiritual impact, I paint with meticulous detail & in a heightened and intensified manner. I love the qualities of oil paint, which enable me to build up complex layers of colour and texture, combining classic technical methods of “thin to fat & dark to light”, with Pre-Raphaelite painting techniques of layers of thin translucent glazes.
Izumi writes – “Each painting is a journey, a deep and vibrant passion to express the love of my surroundings in an enthusiastic colour of learning. First I let the materials explode & riot over the surface, I endeavour to take control of their defiant ways, and then I leave the painting and reflect on it. I read the textures, I reflect on its creation & the influences that surround me. Only when the time is right and I understand what’s to translate will I commit to put focus to my expression. Sometimes I will build a painting to near completion only to tear it down and re build to what I believe to be true. I believe that art should penetrate more than just vision but should touch many other senses, and if I can communicate this with my work I will have found a true way to speak to all.”
This combination of differences of approach and method, within the overall similarities of subject, gives a unique and special character to this exhibition, and will delight anyone with a love of Landscape, both representational and expressive. The exhibition will run from 16th to 29th April, open every day 10.30 to 5.30, with later opening some evenings, and either Sarah or Izumi will be there each day. For further information if required, please contact Sarah on 01736 787522 vivianatfarwest@supanet.com. Or Izumi on 01736 787892 izumi@magicspace.co.uk