In 'The Quintessential View', the new exhibition at Castle Gallery, Inverness (11 March to 2 April 2005), five artists share their experience of the Highlands and beyond.

These artists came together through living and working in the Highlands.  They started to explore their individual and joint reactions to the same or similar subjects and would meet and paint together – sometimes all five, sometimes two or three.

Their styles are diverse but there are common repeated themes of colour and movement.

Elizabeth Joss says that she takes inspiration form the “shifting patterns of texture and light in both wild and cultivated landscapes” and this is clearly seen in her oil painting entitled ‘Snowfield Crop’.

Clare Blois’ paintings have a powerful vitality that captures the raw energy of nature. ‘Stormcloud’ with its deep blues and thick textures does suggest the uncompromising movement of the skies.

Margaret McKay often begins a painting from the spot, responding instinctively to what she sees before here but at the same time developing a well ordered composition and work of art in its own right.  ‘Birches, Glen Affric’ demonstrates this very well.

Isabell Dickson’s works are a response to the landscape and seascape around her.  Her bold strokes and deep colour capture the grandeur of the Highlands with authoritative simplicity (see ‘Towards the Islands‘).

Suzanne Gyseman paintings such as ‘Black Isle Croft’ present a contrast to many of the other works in this exhibition as her controlled, illustrative style introduces subtle changes of warm colours and a light brush stroke.

Many of the paintings in this exhibition depict the same view but this is neither tiresome or repetitive as ‘The Quintessential View’ sets out to show how identical viewpoints can provide both complimentary and contrasting interpretations.

For further information and images please contact Denise Collins at the Castle  Gallery.
Gallery open:  Monday – Saturday  9.00 – 5.00. Admission free.