Four Painters and a Sculptor

A much-anticipated exhibition opened its doors at Oriel Môn on 27 April. ‘Four Painters and a Sculptor’ brings together five contemporary artists whose methods are deeply rooted in the land of Wales. The all-female cast of this pioneering exhibition all grew up in the late 70’s early 80’s, the so-called Generation X, when strong female role models and individuality were celebrated in music, fashion and art. The resulting exhibition is a cocktail of soulful and timeless art works.

Angie Hoopert, Jane Paice, Catherine Taylor Parry, Louise Morgan and Wendy Lawrence have all taken different paths throughout their careers, but by chance meetings here and there, their paths have now thankfully merged together to meet at Oriel Môn. Angie and Catherine were lucky to meet via Helfa Gelf, which led to several joint exhibitions and a firm friendship. Catherine met Wendy through Wendy’s work as a DAC mentor and admired her fabulous sculptures. Louise, Wendy and Catherine were a small group of North Wales artists who were exhibiting at Chester Art Fair, where Catherine had the opportunity to spend time with Louise and appreciate her paintings, which subsequently led to Louise inviting Catherine to exhibit in her gallery in Bangor, Galeri 45. Louise and Catherine met Jane whilst all exhibiting individually at the exhibition ‘Life Full Colour’.

Putting ‘Four Painters and Sculptor’ together was a question of finding a suitable space to exhibit, and that all five artists wanted to show in. For some in the group Oriel Môn was somewhere where they have exhibited in before, whilst for those from the Northeast of Wales it is a gallery that they admire and love to visit. Catherine, the organiser of the exhibition, stated “I applied to exhibit the groups work at Oriel Môn because the gallery holds such a fascinating range of exhibits, the influence of Kyffin Williams, and because of the excellent standard of exhibitions that are consistently shown here. All our work is deeply embedded in the Welsh landscape therefore this gallery is perfectly positioned to show the work involved in, made from, and developed from the land we live on”.

Louise Morgan RCA was born in Bangor, and now lives in Tregarth. Her work is expressive with complex mark making techniques and she has an instantly recognisable style whether she is painting a mountain landscape or a crowd of people. Her work is inspired by a myriad of influences, including the Welsh Landscape, industrial heritage, personal life experiences and current affairs. Her previous joint exhibition at Oriel Môn with artist Gilly Thomas ‘Art as Antidote’, and her solo exhibition ‘Figuratively Speaking’ in Caernarfon were both selected by Wales Arts Review Magazine as two of the Top 10 must see exhibitions by Welsh Artists in 2022 and 2023.

Angie Hoopert is constantly inspired by her surroundings, she graduated from Bristol in 1991 with a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design and Illustration. Angie has since taken on various creative roles including co-owning her own gallery. Since 2009, she has been developing her love of painting in oils from her hometown of Mold, inspired by local Welsh land and seascapes, and particularly the ever-changing skies. Her most recent body of work specially created for this exhibition draws on the relationship between weather and mood. Angie states “I am excited and honoured to be exhibiting at Oriel Môn for the first time alongside four fabulous female artists. While our work is obviously different, there is a harmonious commonality, an organic connection and respect for our Welsh environment, and I hope that this exhibition is just the first of many collaborations and joining of forces”.

Jane Paice derives her inspiration from the magnificence of the land and sea around her home on the Isle of Anglesey. She also spends hours wandering through the mountains and caverns of Snowdonia, sketching, painting and taking comfort from nature’s majestic grandeur and permanence. She says “My art takes its inspiration from all aspects of my life, from my Lancashire childhood to the surroundings of my current home on the Isle of Anglesey. For this exhibition, I have explored the rich heritage of the Welsh copper industry and its inextricable links to the coast. I have looked at the juxtaposition of stormy, dynamic seas and the restless tranquility of deep, underground caverns. If you look closely, you might see evidence of a shipwreck, abandoned tools or the ghostly images of those who have gone before us. I shall be expanding this theme for my solo exhibition, ‘Elements’, at Oriel Môn later this year”.

Wendy Lawrence, the sculptor in the group, has developed a personal style of working with ceramic, responding to qualities of landscape and geology that inspire her visually and emotionally, making pieces which attempt to capture the power of natural form and texture.

Nicola Gibson, Visitor Experience Manager, Oriel Môn stated “The work of these five artists differs greatly, but their sensitivity to the materials they use and the emotional connection they all derive from their subject matter are closely linked. This is an important exhibition which reflects innovative and exciting approaches used by female artists working in Wales today”.

As an artist living and working in North Wales, Angie is constantly inspired by her surroundings and the beautiful land, sea and skyscapes have become the subject of her paintings in recent years.

The ever-changing skies have become a particular subject, “I am often stunned by the ethereal beauty gifted to us by the weather, particularly along our coastline and feel compelled to try to capture the mood and emotions I experience. I draw upon memories and senses, as well as photographs and sketches, but frequently a painting will emerge as something very different”.

“I attempt to convey in my paintings the essence of these atmospheric events – the play of light, the dance of clouds, and the interplay of colours. Whether it’s a storm brewing over the sea or a tranquil sunset casting its warm glow, I seek to capture these fleeting moments, so they can be held onto forever. I am also heavily inspired by the sense of calm and stillness there is to be found out in the hills or along the coast. There is nothing but beauty, even in a storm. Every moment is different, from dark skies and the sounds of crashing waves and birds screeching to a silent stillness, serenity, and a subtlety of light. I can only dream that some of the feelings of peace, contemplation, escapism and hope are reflected even a tiny bit in my paintings”.

Catherine’s practice is an investigation of the North Wales landscape and the remains or evidence of industry, past and present.  She instinctively builds up layers of paint and colour changing the look and feel of the image.  The view of distant mountains can be a starting point as she captures the flash of an orange-soaked sky or the silence and stillness of shining sand or misty mountains.  Her abstract landscapes show her interest in the surface of the land and what lies beneath.Her paintings feel timeless and are infused with memories and partially remembered images.  She uses acrylics and oils as she loves the different qualities of paint, bringing the surface to life and creating a unique and individual image.She has a BA (Hons) in Fine Art and is currently studying for her Masters in Fine Art.

To paint is to go to my special place.  Painting is my escape, my passion, my joy, my grief.  It’s a way to remember … and a way to forget.I derive the inspiration for most of my work from the magnificence of the land and sea around my home on the beautiful Isle of Anglesey.I try to convey in my art the dynamic and relentless energy of the sea, be it a stormy seascape or the simple curl of a wave.I also spend hours wandering through the mountains and caverns of Snowdonia, sketching, painting and taking comfort from nature’s majestic grandeur and permanence.I often create ambiguity in my work, leaving the viewer to decide whether they’re looking at the waves, a cave or a long-forgotten, abandoned vein of wealth beneath the ground.I have collectors of my work in the UK, Canada, the USA, Ireland and Belgium.  I paint mainly in oils with some occasional mixed media work.

The further I go on my journey through art, the greater appreciation I have for the myriad of directions and diversions I have taken.  I have more than one artistic voice, and my creativity is motivated by several influences.  This collection takes the viewer on a sojourn through natural, industrial and urban light, culminating in a series of figurative crowd scenes, reflecting the meandering history of the landscape and people of North Wales.

I have developed a personal style of ceramic sculptures and making processes, responding to qualities of landscape and geology that inspire me visually and emotionally, making pieces which attempt to capture the power of natural form and texture.My work can be displayed in both the home and the garden.