Linda Holland -
review
Richmond Regional Library is undergoing major architectural surgery and now has a wonderful new entrance and foyer, much more practical than the old winding staircase. Taking prominent pride of place in the new foyer is the glass display case which the library kindly allows us to use for members' works. The current display of three acrylic paintings and five hand painted ceramics by Linda Holland is a cheerful and colourful delight.
The painting Spring Blooms is vibrant in colour and form, a lively work in which the plants seem to burst and twist in rapid spring growth. Rose, on the other hand, is a still, quiet study of a full bloom which takes up the entire canvas and leads the viewer straight into the centre of the rose. The Vase of spiky flowers and leaves, a still life, is viewed at an unusual steep angle and, though on a stable surface, at first glance one may think it was on a slope.
I particularly liked the thrown and hand formed ceramic vessels. Colourful and quirky, they were covered in hand painted patterns of naive-like bird and flower forms, heart shapes and black squiggles. Blue vase, Flower Faces also had what looked like snakes. The platters were interesting shapes and all different, from the scallop edged Small bowl, Flowers & Birds, to Oval Platter, Flowers & Hearts. In the oblong Platter, Party Girl, a floating female with cold drink in one hand and cheese wedge in the other seemed to soar in social and gastronomical bliss (aaahhh!!!) amongst flowers and strawberries.
I thought these were delightful works and I hope you can get to see them. And the nice new-look Richmond Library.
- Cressida Fox
(Extracted from the
Contemporary Art Society Newsletter July - August
2005)
page
updated 30 March 2005
