Vanessa Worrall and Vicki Gillow met at Reading University, studying Fine Art. Meeting in Brighton, years later, found them living in the same city. Both passionate about painting, they set up studio together.
In time, the pull of Vicki’s native Cornwall meant they parted but both continued to paint. This vibrant exhibition brings both artists full circle, together again, Vanessa now in Devon, Vicki in Cornwall, both responding to their local natural surroundings, two artists, two counties, watching, recording and seeing the same sky.
Victoria Gillow
Falmouth Uni : MA.
Reading University: BA
University of Wales: PGCE
I am a Cornish painter, based in Falmouth. My practice derives from a lifetime of looking and belonging. My Cornish heritage and love of the land and sea has informed a practice of landscape and coastal paintings - generating work mainly on site. I love the transience of time and weather. Revisiting spaces time and time over, but never quite seeing the same- a unique response in paint to how I see and feel on the day.
The exhibition, See the Same Sky, for me, denotes a long term interest and synergy between two painters.
Working independently, but in a parallel, Vanessa and I having both attended college together and shared a studio in Brighton, 25 years ago, have come together again due to friendship and commonality in our practice. We see the same sky, in a literal sense, displays the connectivity of two people - we both see the same sky/sometimes paint the same sky - in different spaces.
On a spiritual level we have developed a practice that works hand in hand- the energy, the interest of different places, weather, transience and change in large and small scapes and spaces. Spaces our created on the canvas, paper, support, and also in our heads through mindful creative pursuit-the process of painting and creating outside, in location, is contemplative and allows space away from everyday life and its trials that we all currently face.
Vanessa Worrall
I am a painter working primarily in oil inspired by my local landscape and seascape. Working from my studio in the heart of the Blackdown Hills I enjoy creating pieces that reflect my love of nature.
My recent work focuses on Hedgerows. Since childhood, this border between paths and roads has always held a fascination. The transient nature of these spaces are often overlooked for its intriguing beauty, a natural firework parade of textures, shapes and colours. This year of ‘Lockdown’ has seen my local verges in Devon erupting in amazing abundance, foregoing their ‘haircuts’ and with no traffic to restrict them the wild plants have enjoyed bursting out in an incredible display.
This year also sees me collaborate with a dear friend, artist Vicki Gillow. The exhibition See the Same Sky is a celebration of our friendship, a lifetime of looking, learning and a passion for recording our natural surroundings. Both of us have been connected by this journey, working separately but with a similar goal. In a literal way seeing the same sky has us both bonded by the transience of nature and its energy, for over twenty five years our artistic lives have run parallel. It is an absolute pleasure to exhibit my work with Vicki again, and we both hope you enjoy the exhibition.
Please visit my website for further information and recent work. Studio visits welcome by appointment.
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