Angles of Art

By Rebecca Lawson

Art is not just about colour on canvas, as Hugo of Cowes Gallery knows very well. Although his display of paintings is as bold and eye-catching as ever, they are not the only form of artistry that can be found at this stunning Isle of Wight gallery.

Walk into Cowes Gallery and the first thing you will notice are the brilliant white walls displaying rich, bold paintings - some island-inspired. Looking around, it isn’t long before another art form captures the eye and effortlessly hones your attention with a vibrant array of reflective colours.

Glass vases, bowls and Graeme Hawes’ glittering glass slices all stand proudly on pristine pedestals, showcased to perfection. Phil Atrill’s wabi pieces surprise the viewer with their combination of density and delicacy, while the new Horizon and Opal vases sit elegantly next to Jon Danes’ cheeky ceramic wellington-booted pigs. The end effect is a dazzle of vibrant colour - both opaque and translucent - everywhere you look.

Artists from the far reaches of Britain are showcased at the gallery making the collection perfect for Island visitors and residents alike. You’ll find portraits of London’s signature red double-deckers displayed alongside windswept coastal scenes, complex glass sculptures next to intricate Aboriginal dot art.

Simon Wright says that all paintings have a ‘hook’ or vital focal point that draws a viewer into each painting. If this is the case, then Cowes Gallery’s pristine displays are the ‘hook’ that pulls this amazing collection together.

Cowes Gallery 75 High St, Cowes, PO31 7AJ Tel: 07775 875790 | www.aalondongallery.com

Cityscapes, landscapes, seascapes and portraits - British artist Simon Wright can turn his hand to any subject, so when commissioned to paint scenes for Cowes Gallery, it was no surprise that Simon created contrasting images that showcase his broad talent. His sailing paintings burst with life, the sharp salty spray of water almost tangible, while a gentle bird’s-eye view of the Needles builds a feeling of serenity and calm.

“When I approach a subject, I always take into account what would work best in terms of technique. When I painted the sailing boats, I really wanted to get a feel of movement - almost chaos - and try to create the power of the waves, so I literally threw paint at the picture, scraping and splashing colours to create waves and spray that really give it that atmosphere of wind and water.

“Whereas when I approached the scene of the Needles, I chose to do it from an aerial perspective. The thing that really drew me to the image was the sea, and how these huge circular ripples surrounded the cliffs. I really wanted to capture the depth of the ocean, so I used turquoise greens and ochre tones to achieve this. I also chose a more realistic style so I could create a tranquil feeling in the painting.”