Hester Berry - HORIZONS
West Buckland School, North Devon
23rd April - 28th May 2010, Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm or by appointment
I am delighted to invite you to the first exhibition held in a brand new art centre at West Buckland School. I wanted to honour the concept and realization of this beautiful and environmentally friendly building, which will nurture and maximize the talents and potential of aspiring young artists. In my exhibition I aim to echo the sustainable nature of the building and draw attention to local and global environmental issues.
An issue of considerable controversy in Devon is the proposal for several on-shore wind farms. The plans have been met with mixed views. Nationally, we recognize the need to find alternative energy sources, but locally the situation becomes more complicated.
There are many planned wind farms in Devon, but my paintings focus on those closest to West Buckland: Fullabrook Down and, not far from Exmoor National Park, Three Moors, Bickham Moor and Batsworthy Cross.
Although most people are aware of climate change and the need to create clean power, not all agree that the 100ft turbines are the best way to do this. There are convincing arguments for and against wind farms, but much evidence from either side is biased.
The title of the show, taken from the beautiful acoustic track on Genesis' album, Foxtrot, is my acknowledgment of the impact of turbines on both the physical skyline and on changing borders where common sense, apathy and ignorance meet. I hope my paintings, which use recycled and eco-friendly materials, attain objectivity and impartiality. They show a realistic projection of how these proposed farms will appear. It is not my intention to either condemn or condone wind farms, but to foresee the reality and encourage the audience to reach their own conclusions.
150 Building, West Buckland School, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 0SX - Tel: 01598 760281 - Email: enquiries@westbuckland.devon.sch.uk hesterberry@hotmail.com - Website: www.westbuckland.devon.sch.uk, www.hesterberry.co.uk
Posted 23rd March in:
HESTER BERRY - 'IT'S ALL UP IN THE AIR'
Exhibition of paintings
Gallery 118, Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill
21st - 30th October
When I paint I am looking for ways to represent my encounters with the beauty and power of the natural landscape. My intention is to find visual equivalents for the sensual, aural, and other, primarily non-visual experiential qualities encountered. This wish to paint as a homage to the environment led me to choose recycled and eco-friendly materials, and also introduce new subject matter such as places currently threatened by environmental issues. It is important that the scenes I depict are a recollection of my experience and feelings towards an occasion which is still fresh in my memory. Consequently I am visiting areas around London and Surrey, where I am living at the moment, which either show signs of people's efforts (or lack thereof) towards sustainable projects, or occasions where the effects of climate change are visible, i.e. flooding and unusual weather.
My main case study is the proposed third runway at Heathrow. I have focused on the existing airport and the awkward way in which its machines, lights and buildings clash with the surrounding nature, and also the village of Sipson, which will be obliterated if the build goes ahead. To inform my work I am attending lectures and protests about climate change, studying artists and musicians with similar principals, and I have spoken to several members of Greenpeace, who have bought a plot of land in Sipson, with the intention of making it difficult for BAA to force a sale. My painting is therefore an attempt to connect the visual and culturally familiar experience of the landscape with its visceral, reflexive equivalent, so that the viewer can identify with the pleasures of the existing but endangered 'great outdoors', and also become more aware of issues which imperil our fragile and beautiful planet.
Posted 29th September in:
stay grounded,
When I paint I am looking for ways to represent my encounters with the beauty and power of the natural landscape. My intention is to find visual equivalents for the sensual, aural, and other, primarily non-visual experiential qualities encountered. This wish to paint as a homage to the environment led me to choose recycled and eco-friendly materials, and also introduce new subject matter such as places currently threatened by environmental issues. It is important that the scenes I depict are a recollection of my experience and feelings towards an occasion which is still fresh in my memory. Consequently for my MA project, I am visiting areas around London and Surrey, where I am living at the moment, which either show signs of people's efforts (or lack thereof) towards sustainable projects, or occasions where the effects of climate change are visible, ie. flooding and unusual weather.
My main case study is the proposed third runway at Heathrow. I have focussed on the existing airport and the awkward way in which its machines, lights and buildings clash with the surrounding nature, and also the village of Sipson, which will be obliterated if the build goes ahead. To inform my work I am attending lectures and protests about climate change, studying artists and musicians with similar principals, and I have spoken to several members of Greenpeace, who have bought a plot of land in Sipson, with the intention of making it difficult for BAA to force a sale. My painting is therefore an attempt to connect the visual and culturally familiar experience of the landscape with its visceral, reflexive equivalent, so that the viewer can identify with the pleasures of the existing but endangered 'great outdoors', and also become more aware of issues which imperil our fragile and beautiful planet.
