Chapters

Sarah Wiseman Gallery is pleased to present Chapters, a group show in conjunction with International Women’s Day. This exhibition showcases the work of artists Emma Davis, Nadia Koo, Zelga Simone Miller & Letitia Thompson. Chapters investigates the artistic practise of these four artists, celebrating their journeys into art later in life, and the reinvention of self through their artistic practise.

Gallery director Sarah Wiseman says, ‘In an environment where women’s rights are constantly being challenged, it is important to use our soft power to highlight our strengths, our journeys and our voices. ‘Chapters’ highlights four artists from diverse backgrounds with strong and powerful stories, which they express through their paintings. The connection is their mid-moment in life, how they see themselves and their life journey thus far, how their art is pivotal to their identity. Exhibiting them together in ‘Chapters’ makes their stories louder and more impactful. Through its combined voice, this show is a celebration of the good we can do with art in carrying our wisdom and stories far and wide.’

Mixed media artist Emma Davis celebrates her love of colour, texture and form through her work. Emma works carefully composing vintage book covers to create balance and narrative, while also painting abstract colour compositions, radiating light and energy. She says ‘Colour has always been important to me and in this set of works I am using colour in two very different ways. I have pared back the colours in my smaller, more narrative mixed media pieces and have let rip with an explosion of bright and sometimes neon paint in my painted panels.’

Nadia Koo embraces a tactile approach to painting, working freely without a plan and often applying the paint with her fingers or sticks. Having worked in social care for 30 years, Nadia found herself during 2020 with the urge to make a large-scale painting of flowers and turned a period of grief into visual joy. For this exhibition, Nadia says ‘The act of putting paint to canvas empowers topics that deserve to be seen and heard. ‘Black Women and Their Pussy’s’ explores intimate portraits of Black women like me: women who are rarely afforded the space to let their guard down, to be soft, to be vulnerable.’

Figurative artist Zelga Simone Miller’s work has a quiet strength, examining the vulnerability and tenderness of the figure.  Zelga’s journey into art began when she was gifted a term of life drawing classes at the Ruskin School of Art. Drawing quickly gripped her and she went on to do an MFA in Fine Art practise, she has been working as an artist since. For the exhibition, Zelga said, ‘This body of work represents steps in a woman’s journey to finding freedom. She runs, reflects, shifts & pauses but always fearless & determined. The ability to regenerate her greatest weapon.’

Letitia Thompson’s paintings explore her place in the world through her work. Her daughter leaving home to go to university became a driving force for Letitia to begin exploring the transitional periods of life through the figure, each one enticing the viewer into their narrative. Letitia says, ‘I like to think that the act of painting is a constant practice of balance between control and surrender…The characters that have emerged may resonate and offer a comforting touchstone to those that encounter them.’

Chapters opens Thursday 6^th March and runs until Saturday 29^th March.