International artist Stella Cardew ARCA has her latest solo exhibition at the Jeannie Avent Gallery, writes Michael Holland.
The artworks, with their theme of nature, have been completed since her show here last year, although there are a few figurative pieces included that were painted earlier.
Paintings of tulips, roses and small birds surrounded by flora bring the white-walled gallery to life. There are flowers in jugs, jars and vases, as well as insects. But even though the theme is nature-based, the paintings are almost other-worldly, there is a magic-realism within them that makes the viewer want to look deeper into the pictures. It is there that they find the essence of the artist’s work; basically, Stella brings an abstract aspect to the nature that gives her the inspiration to paint.
The figurative work displays the same qualities. There is the easily recognisable human form but often the lines between life and beyond are blurred with an explosion of colour as a backdrop to the physical world. The faces are created with a few simple lines, or none at all. Her daughter Emily is the model for one painting, but you would never know.
But none of these particular characteristics disturbs the viewer; they somehow enhance the pictures and make us ask questions of them rather than merely look and move on.
Stella Cardew’s work is a product of her Royal College of Art tuition, plus the movements she followed, including Post-Impressionism and, more recently, primitive art. All those influences have come together in the creation of this rather wonderful collection of paintings.
Jeannie Avent Gallery, 14 North Cross Road, East Dulwich, SE22 9EU until June 1st. Times: Weekends 11am – 5pm. Admission: Free.