Our latest guest artist exhibiting her work in the salon is Angela Clarke, who has created her new series of paintings, Sirens, around themes from Homer’s Odyssey and the name Beaucatcher.
Angela’s art will be on display from 7 April 2015 until mid-June, so do come in and admire!
Angela says about her work:
The Sirens
“‘Come here,’ they sang, ‘renowned Ulysses, honour to the Achaean name, and listen to our two voices. No one ever sailed past us without staying to hear the enchanting sweetness of our song- and he who listens will go on his way not only charmed, but wiser, for we know all the ills that the gods laid upon the Argives and Trojans before Troy, and can tell you everything that is going to happen over the whole world.
They sang these words most musically, and as I longed to hear them further I made by frowning to my men that they should set me free; but they quickened their stroke, and Eurylochus and Perimedes bound me with still stronger bonds till we had got out of hearing of the Sirens’ voices. Then my men took the wax from their ears and unbound me.’”
Homer, The Odyssey
This is a body of work that is inspired by the names of the Sirens in Homer’s story of the Odyssey.
There are thirteen names that are mentioned in the ancient texts, some of which have meaning. A connection was made between the name ‘Beaucatcher’ and The Sirens in the Odyssey and the aspect of allure.
The Sirens were creatures, which were famous for luring ships of sailors with their ethereal and beautiful voices towards the shore to be wrecked on the rocks.
The starting point for the series of Paintings and Drawings has been the name of a Siren and its calligraphic options for form.
The names and the meanings of some are the catalyst for mark – making and colouration within the painting.
The selections of work from the portfolio of drawings and paintings, has depended upon the balance of the scale of the mark, and colour and its poetic connection to the text. The options for ‘the gesture’ and touch within painting and calligraphy have been essential to their coming into being and final form.
There is a deliberate endeavour to explore the possibilities for a lyrical abstraction located in the Mediterranean.
