Yvonne Pettitt | Nature
The paintings for “Nature” were inspired by Ballinglen, Co Mayo, an ancient landscape next to the Ceide field system which invokes a sense of continuity of the ancient timeline. Yvonne Pettitt’s paintings incorporate the traditional abstract practices of painting. They are painted ‘alla prima’ and modified. The aim is to draw the viewer in though constructing non-verbal visual spaces using compositional design, form, light and colour. The landscapes are not dramatic as in the sublime awe of nature of the Romantic Period in Art but more on the Classical Beauty of nature as it still yet, exists for us in the contemporary world. This is a nature managed in terms of agriculture and cultural issues including conservation. Looking at nature now, climate change is always in the background lurking.
Speaking of her work, Yvonne says, “But I don’t want to lecture, rather to celebrate: Yellow Field is nature harnessed. I was struck by the unnaturalness of the yellow, a more recent arrival in the Irish scape. Yet it is beautiful, the field of colour lent itself to be painted large and impressionistically. Turnips for me is the opposite of status symbolising still-life but humble. Figurative paintings concern interior thought and connections.”
Yvonne taught Art History for 20 years and now is a full-time painter. “I have always been particularly interested in and drawn to ancient traditions to see how they sit in contemporary times. To be able to interact with oil paint is a passion and privilege,” she says.
Part of this exhibition will include a collaborative piece with partner poet Catherine Phil MacCarthy on the theme of Metamorphosis. Instagram: MacCarthyPettitt
Find more about Yvonne on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yvonnepettittart/