Distance beckons us
Horseback ride to the mountains
Blue, crisp, winter chill
an ekphrastic peom by Shelley Thompson
in response to a painting by John Waite
The Art Gallery Visit a chance to see the wonders of the world I wander in revive my spirit a moment out of time anon | The Apple Tree asleep knarled branches ahead ... blossom time anon. |
Review of Art Show at Lake Country Gallery.
A lovely/lively art show opened on Saturday – March 7, 2020 at Lake Country Gallery. It was called “Ekphrastic Poetry” - which is a Greek expression – meaning giving words to images.
Four separate artists have work in this show. Liz Earl, Michael Griffin, John Waite and Lois Huey- Heck.
Liz was on holiday in Mexico so wasn’t actually at the opening. The others had a chance to share their experiences and the making of art.
Liz’s work was compelling and I admire the depth and perspective shown in the landscapes, as well as the facility with which she expressed the floral details.. Buildings, landscapes, people – she doesn’t shy away from any subject and the attention to detail – as is in evidence in, for example, the wrinkles in the clothing of the people in a line up at “The Lunch Counter” and the depth in perspective in the space in the Bedford Mills piece.
Michael Griffin’s work is gestural pen and ink and wash – bodies and 2 portraits. Clean and pure rendition – with an economy of expression. He gave an interesting talk about the pieces and the theory about the Ekphrastic Poem. The brochure on this show talks about making an Ekphastic poem.
- pick an artwork from the exhibition
- start a conversation with artwork – ask questions, invent a response.
- reflect on details in the work.
- tell a story
The poem can take on any form, haiku, limerick, sonnet, narrative – you decide.
Lois Huey Heck has an amazing array of work – 12 to be exact - executed on yupo paper which is a sort of synthetic base – it allows the movement of colour and is slow drying so not confined by time.
Primordial influences and as she says, “microcosm/macrocosm” – evident in the powerful images.
Her wonderful strong colourful renderings with so much energy and/or delight in the vibrant colours. The clean, spare, venue allows the work to be of utmost attention allowing each to speak its truth.
John Waite’s work is in acrylic on canvas – mostly landscapes. Interesting sense of time and the value of a work in progress. His memorable quote, “ If it feels like something I have already seen, then it is time to change direction”.
Sandra Kessler