Snowden, Exhibition Catalogue 2016

Matthew Snowden 9 – 19 February 2016

THACKERAY GALLERY Est 1968

The Westerly Edge

I have painted the Western Edge of the British coastline for over 20 years now, regularly visiting my favorite places on Anglesey, Pembrokeshire and the Scottish Islands.

This year I chose to revisit the Hebredean island of Islay spending most of my time studying & sketching the one-mile stretch of magnificent rocky white shell beach that is known as Saligo Bay.

The catalyst and inspiration for the title and theme of this exhibition, came from the observation of weather fronts streaming in from across the slate turquoise Atlantic, and marveling at the sublime light effects of cloud shadow and sunlight counterchanged by the dark rock and white crashing surf.

Although predominantly an exhibition of seascapes, also included are paintings of early spring along the magical Welsh rivers of the Afon Conwy and Afon Glaslyn. I was particularly inspired by the 'chiaroscuro effect' of the strong morning light reflected off the river and seen through the greens and yellows of the new spring leaves.

Matthew Snowden 2016

Cover: White Sands, Iona

acrylic on canvas – 50 x 60cm

Coul Point, Saligo Bay

acrylic on canvas 40 x 60cm

Crashing Waves, Anglesey

acrylic on canvas 50 x 50cm

Springtime Arisaig

acrylic on canvas 40 x 40cm

Big Sky, Islay

acrylic on canvas 40 x 40cm

Breaking Waves

acrylic on canvas 50 x 70cm

Cottage on the Shore

acrylic on canvas 60 x 80cm

Barra, Outer Hebrides

acrylic on canvas 40 x 60cm

Autumn Falls, Ogwen

acrylic on canvas 100 x 80cm

Llyn Gwynant

acrylic on canvas 50 x 60cm

Fairy Glen

acrylic on canvas 70 x 100cm

FionPort, Mull

acrylic on canvas 30 x 30cm

Turquoise Sea, Iona

acrylic on canvas 30 x 30cm

Hebridean Sky

acrylic on canvas 100 x 100cm

Highwater Saligo Bay

acrylic on canvas 70 x 100cm

Spring Afon Conwy

acrylic on canvas 70 x 70cm

Trevone, Cornwall

acrylic on canvas 60 x 60cm

White Sands, Iona

acrylic on canvas 50 x 60cm

Into Spring, Afon Glasgyn

acrylic on canvas 50 x 60cm

Saligo Bay, Islay

acrylic on canvas 90 x 130cm

Shoreline, Islay

acrylic on canvas 50 x 40cm

Singing Sands, Islay

acrylic on canvas 60 x 80cm

Spring on the River

acrylic on canvas 60 x 60cm

Westerly Winds

acrylic on canvas 80 x 80cm

Summer Green, Trearddur

acrylic on canvas 50 x 60cm

Spring Tide, Pembrokeshire

acrylic on canvas 90 x 90cm

Summer Day, Iona

acrylic on canvas 30 x 60cm

Summer Sky, Porth Nobla

acrylic on canvas 60 x 60cm

Llanberis Pass

acrylic on canvas 90 x 110cm

BIOGRAPHY

Born in 1969 in Heswall, Merseyside.

BA Hons, Industrial Design

Selected Solo Exhibitions 2013-2015 Gorstella Gallery, Chester 2010-2014 Kooywood Gallery, Wales 2009-2015 Galeri Betwsycoed, Wales 2002-2007 Dee Fine Arts, Wirral 1999-2003 Clwyd Theatre, Wales

Selected Exhibitions 2010 Galerie Archange, Paris 2002-2008 Royal Cambrian Academy, Wales 2003-2005 Bankside Gallery London, with RWS 2002-2006 Mall Galleries, London, with RI and RSMA

Public Collections National Library of Wales Williamson Art Gallery and Museum, Birkenhead

Private Collections Works in Europe, USA, China, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand

Selected Misc “Who's Who in Art”, listed in 34th and 35th editions

Matthew Snowden draws his inspiration from the rugged coastline of the UK.

His bold paintings executed exclusively with a palette knife in acrylic have attracted a wide following amongst art collectors. These paintings are in many private and prestigious collections including most recently The National Library Of Wales.

His subjects are not only about the land and sea, the weather and the light – but also about the movement, the moment, the crashing of waves onto jagged rocks, the sun as it sets over water, the feeling of being outside. Much of his painting is created ‘in situ’ and captures the essence of his subjects.

Since 1999, Matthew has exhibited in Mixed Shows around the world and in Solo Shows throughout the UK.

Published by Thackeray Gallery, 2016

Photography by Matthew Snowden, 2016 Text by Matthew Snowden, 2016