Gwen O’Neil: Over the Ridges and through the Passes
WHAT
The Los Angeles-based abstract painter is known for works that invoke the rhythms of the natural world. This first exhibition features a series of new paintings inspired by the dramatic environment of southern California. The artist employs a technique reminiscent of pointillism, using individual daubs of paint to create pulsating compositions. The works draw on natural forms, from tiny spirals inside seashells to vast murmurations of birds, capturing the dynamic interplay of light and colour.
WHY
The artist’s paintings reflect the unique weather conditions of southern California. By placing unexpected colours next to each other, the artist disrupts the illusion of distance and volume, emphasising the materiality of paint. The work captures the beauty of natural phenomena while conveying a sense of danger and unpredictability, inviting viewers to explore the complex relationship between nature and human perception.