Mitey Roche

Chianciano Art Museum

Critical Analysis Artist: Mitey Roche Art Critic: Karen Lappon

ICAC

International Confederation of Art Critics

Critical Analysis Artist: Mitey Roche Art Critic: Karen Lappon

The Museum The Museum of Art of Chianciano hosts a series of collections ranging from Neolithic and Asiatic to Contemporary art.

There are approximately a thousand works on display.

Visitors are able to view paintings and sculptures by artists such as Tom Nash, Salvador Dali, Sir Henry Moore, Frances Turner, Mario Schifano, Damien Hirst, Brian Willsher and Albert Louden, drawings by the likes of Magritte, Guttuso and Munch; historical works from Royal Collections and original etchings by masters such as Dürer and Rembrandt.

The museum is known for organising annual international events, including the Chianciano International Art Award and the Biennale of Chianciano.

Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) “Joachim and the Angel” Original woodcut, circa 1504

Sir Henry Moore (1898-1986) “Head” Bronze Sculpture

ICAC

International Confederation of Art Critics

The Critic Karen Lappon, born in Santander, Spain, is an Italian art critic and essay writer that operates in London, UK. Although an expert on the Italian Renaissance period, Lappon is also great admirer of contemporary art. Karen studied at the “I Liceo Artistico in Via Ripetta” and at the “La Sapienza” University in Rome.

A book of great interest curated by Karen is the “2nd Millenium”, the publication of an important exhibition at the Lord Leighton Museum, in which the talent and art of the prominent painter, Frances Turner - selected 5 times in a row for the BP Award at the National Portrait Gallery in London - is highlighted. This artist has been spotted and appreciated by another great critic, Normal Searle, that wrote an article in the Evening Standard on one of Frances’ paintings.

“Vita e Opere di Antonio Sbrana” is a publication in which Lappon ties the activity of Sbrana and his influences on the “Macchiaioli” of the 19th century, like Natali and Fattori. A publication that illustrates the continuity of this movement and how it is still present in Italy today.

Besides being a consultant for the Chianciano Museum of Art, Karen Lappon is part of the Board that selects artists for the Biennale, a difficult task that she has undertaken since 2009, along with other curators, to choose 100 artists out of 2000 applicants that will be part of the Chianciano Biennale.

Karen is part of the jury of the London Biennale where 120 artists, selected from 40 different countries participate, and has been chosen by the organisers to accompany the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea during the opening of the biennale.

“Elephants In The Mist” oil on canvas by Mitey Roche

The Artist Mitey Roche was born in England and grew up amongst artists and writers. Her late father, the poet Paul Roche, was a longtime friend of Bloomsbury painter Duncan Grant, whose world-celebrated work was a huge influence on Mitey in her formative years. She was lucky enough, to not only observe his technique firsthand, but to work alongside him in his studio at Charleston (now a museum: The Charleston Trust).

Mitey studied at St. Martin’s School of Art (London) and Parson’s School of Design (New York), although also enjoyed a second career as a professional actress, earning roles in several BBC Television productions, and also originating the role of Dusty in the theatrical production of Party Time, written and directed by Nobel Prize-winner Harold Pinter.

Leaving the world of acting behind and, after a sixmonth sojourn in India with her father, Mitey moved to the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, where she set up a studio to paint full-time. She began a series of one-woman exhibitions inspired by her travels, including shows at Galería C’an Pinós, Gallery Max, and several at Sa Tafona Gallery, Deià. Also, L’Art Pour Tous (Cannes, France). She also works on commission.

She participated in the 2015 Florence Biennale, and her paintings have been curated for the prestigious Chianciano Biennale 2015. Her work is in several private collections, including HRH Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Sir Richard Branson, The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Sir Mick Jagger, and the famous Spanish art collector and curator, Pedro Serra. She now lives in Gascony, France, with her husband and coterie of animals, surrounded by vineyards in an old stone farmhouse they restored.

“Best Friends” oil on canvas by Mitey Roche

The Critique Mitey Roche is a wonderfully talented British expressionist painter whose upbringing among artists such as Bloomsbury painter Duncan Grant and writers such as her father, poet Paul Roche, have given her the imprint and creative freedom of expression she manages to translate into her artworks.

The formal elements of Mitey’s works have been carefully balanced to create a sense of calm that remind us of Ferdinand Hodler’s landscapes. Our view of them is restricted and simplified, as if to present us with only the essence of the scene, and composed in a rhythmic pattern of layers of colours, to evoke a pure sense of spiritual emotion.

Mitey’s highly decorative style of landscapes are composed with great delicacy and soft pastel tones and exude a moving pathos reminiscent of Peder Severin Krøyer. Her linear, smooth style and use of colours as an important element, is typical of great American expressionist Mark Rothko.

Expanses of colour float upon the canvas and the blurred edges make the colour masses appear to vibrate with a misty magical quality. An ethereal luminosity suffuses the paintings giving them an oneiric quality that is deeply evocative.

The broad bands of tone make them look like abstract works of art. But as the viewer’s eye becomes accustomed to the paintings, however, the details become apparent. The colours, which at first seem minimalistic, become richer as the eye begins to appreciate the subtle differences in tone.

Her travels around the world are reflected to perfection in the moods Mitey evokes through her economy of form and haunting landscapes, devoid of human life. Her innermost feelings are depicted in such a way as to lead us through her personal journey and share her view of places and events with beautiful artistry. Her canvases are vehicles for demonstrating emotions, portals to the subconscious that we can dive into with great pleasure.

Karen Lappon International Confederation of Art Critics

“Reflection of The Taj Mahal” oil on canvas by Mitey Roche

“Racing Reflections” oil on canvas by Mitey Roche

International Confederation of Art Critics www.international-confederation-art-critics.org