‘Forces of Nature’
19 June – 10 July 2011
Above the Blue gallery

New oil paintings by Nicola Rose & ceramic sculptures by GCSE students from Ditcham Park School.

This is the second collection of paintings Nicola has exhibited at Above the Blue following glowing praise for her powerful, dramatic compositions and her sophisticated use of colour and texture. The highly atmospheric style of her work has a richness and depth which exudes a quality many artists can only aspire to.

The focus for this body of work are the storms at sea she witnessed off the coast of Cornwall in the Autumn of last year expressing the violence and the power of water and air. This subject contrasts with paintings of the remarkable ancient yew trees at Kingley Vale (a National Nature Reserve near Chichester, West Sussex), known for its twisted and ancient yews which includes a grove of veteran trees amongst the oldest living things in Britain. She expresses the spiritual quality and incredible age of these living cathedrals through layers of paint and the building up of textured surfaces in sand.

A pupil from Ditcham Park School & Nicola Rose (on the right) at the Private View party on 18 JuneA selection of ceramic work by year 11 GCSE art students at Ditcham Park School, which sits on the Hampshire/Sussex border, will also be exhibited. These creations were inspired by a trip to Kew Gardens and the colourful and abstract results are based on the natural forms they saw there and also by the very beautiful surroundings of the school.

Ditcham Park is situated on the outskirts of Petersfield, set in the inspirational surroundings of the South Downs National Park with impressive views over Hampshire to the Isle of Wight.

Although the students all had the same starting point they have created a very varied and diverse set of sculptures. They have each interpreted the theme, ‘natural forms’ in a very individual and creative manner. Some are abstract and very sculptural, whereas some have developed their ideas into close and accurate observations. All have sensitively and subtly interpreted the colours found in nature in their use of glazes and oxides.
Enveloping Storm by Nicola Rose

Rebecca Evans

Exhibition opening hours:
Wednesday to Saturday 10.30am – 7pm
Sunday 11am – 5pm

Above the Blue
The Upper Boardwalk
Port Solent
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO6 4TP

t: 02392 377099
e: lynn@abovetheblue.co.uk
www.abovetheblue.co.uk

5 minutes from J12 of the M27, just off the A27
Easy drive from London, offers free parking.

 

About the author

Lorrie Whittington wrote 128 articles on this blog.

Lorrie Whittington is a freelance artist & designer based in Chichester, West Sussex. Lorrie is the Publishing Director and Editor of Chichester Creative Network.