Wild West Works Gallery / Working Studio
Penlee House, Market Street, St Just, TR19 7HU, Cornwall
Hiraeth
"Hiraeth" beautifully encapsulates that bittersweet longing for moments that seem fleeting yet hold an eternal place in our hearts. It's this paradoxical feeling of cherishing the present while yearning for its permanence. The choice of berries, butterflies, and copper as mediums to convey this emotion is evocative—the vibrant life of berries and butterflies contrasted with the enduring warmth of copper echoes the transient nature of existence.
The artists' focus on capturing the essence of the fading summer light and the impending change in the air is poignant. It reminds us of the inevitable passage of time and the fragility of life, prompting reflection on our own mortality.
The juxtaposition of longing for permanence within an ever-changing world is a sentiment many can relate to. There's a certain comfort in wanting things to remain constant, rooted in the familiarity and beauty of the present moment. This yearning for the here and now speaks to the human desire for stability in the face of life's ceaseless evolution.
Art has a remarkable way of expressing emotions and thoughts that words alone might struggle to convey. "Hiraeth" seems to capture the essence of nostalgia, transience, and the desire for permanence in a world where change is inevitable.
for more narrative of the exhibition
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![Energetic blues, grey and pink scratch-like marks on black resemble the sky on which three butterflies hover over a silhouette of Rose Hip branches. The butterflies are orange, pinks and silver metallics. Simple dark brown wood frame behind perspex.]()
Fleeting Light - Rose Haw
ButtonSarah Macdonald
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![Energetic greys, pink and ochre scratch-like marks on black resemble the sky on which three butterflies hover over a silhouette of part of a rose plant with two old roses and only a couple of leaves. The butterflies are blue, purple and yellow metallics. Simple dark brown wood frame behind perspex.]()
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![A photo of two large landscape dark wood frames taken at an angle. The framed images are behind perspex and there is a reflection. The images consist of large yellow, white and blue brush trails that flow from one frame to the other. The pieces belong together as a pair as they are 'joined' by the largest yellow brush trail . The background is dark green and there are around 14 delicate grey butterflies that move amongst the brush marks.]()
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![A square copper panel pinned onto a copper coloured board. The copper is tarnished in places. There is blue with a bit of aqua painted roughly diagonally over the piece.]()
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![A square painting framed simply in black wood. Cool and warm greens and browns create brambles dappled in sunlight. Off centre is a bunch of black berries - reds, pinks, blues and purples. Two Red Admiral butterflies feature, one large, with open wings at the bottom of the berries and the other with wings closes towards the top right corner.]()
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![Large and small rectangles of copper pinned onto a copper coloured board. The copper is tarnished in places. Blues are painted with aqua diagonally over the piece.]()
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![Energetic greys, blues and a bit of light pink scratch-like marks on black resemble the sky on which three butterflies hover over a silhouette of a Yucca branch covered in seedheads. The butterflies are oranges, yellow and white metallics. Simple dark brown wood frame behind perspex.]()
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![A portrait orientated painting of branches with around a dozen pale grey / green butterflies. The branches in the foreground are an ochre glow. Towards the bottom half and top right there is forest and acid green foliage, and the butterflies are place in various positions of wings open and closed. In the top left there is light blue and light pink sky showing red pink berries on the bare branches. Framed in a simple grey wood.]()
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![Large and small rectangles of copper pinned onto a copper coloured board. The copper is tarnished in places. Blues are painted with aqua over the piece. The aqua and some of the blue look iridescent.]()
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![A square painting featuring, on a brown mottled background, robust veiny leaf shapes richly coloured purples, reds, yellows and blues. On these cabbage like leaves are two Common Blue butterflies. Framed simply in black wood.]()
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![Square painting with grey wood frame. Song Thrush with head facing to the sun, sat on a Rowan tree branch above a bunch of pink red berries. The branches are thick with yellow, orange and green foliage with a red under hue. The sky in the background is bright blue in contrast.]()
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![Around sixty large and small rectangles of copper pinned together to form a square. The rectangles of copper are tarnished with different colours - black / green and maroon purple and copper.]()
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![Square painting with orange / green bracken foreground. Above the light aqua sea sits a misty St Michael's Mount. Above is bright blue sky with light coming in from the top right corner. There is a Cabbage White Butterfly flying close above the bracken. Simply framed in white wood.]()
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![A chess set made from copper. The board is made from shinny and tarnished copper - given the two 'players' their distinct colours. The pieces are made from copper plumbing piping and brass nuts and bolts.]()
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![Six small copper squares with different coloured blobs of paint on.. white and blue, purple and white..]()
Nicky Huxham’s Hiraeth
Nicky Huxham's intimate relationship with copper is truly captivating. The description of copper as "beautiful smooth, warm-colored, exquisite to paint on" showcases the profound admiration and connection to this material. The transformation of old corroded water tanks into canvases for art, preserving the natural markings and stories within the copper itself, is a testament to Huxham's appreciation for the material's history and character.
The decision not to cover the aged and marked copper, but rather to collaborate with its inherent beauty, speaks volumes about the artist's respect for the material's narrative. It's a unique approach that celebrates the imperfections and traces of time, allowing the copper to become an integral part of the artistic expression.
The process of crafting panels from these repurposed materials and the intricate work involved in their creation—such as the cathartic act of embedding brass tacks—adds a layer of depth and individuality to each piece. It's evident that each creation holds a piece of the artist's soul and the essence of the copper itself.
The evolution from being solely a painter to venturing into the realm of a coppersmith demonstrates a profound journey and a deeper connection to this magical element. The transition signifies a further exploration of craftsmanship and a dedication to mastering the artistry of copper, finding a sense of belonging in its creation and transformation.
Huxham's journey with copper is not just about artistry; it's a narrative of discovery, respect for history, and an evolving relationship with a material that holds a special place in the artist's heart—a true embodiment of Hiraeth.
Sarah Macdonald’s Hiraeth
In this showcase, Sarah aims to capture the emotion stirred by the fading warmth of autumn—a feeling that lingers, both somber and beautiful. The soft light touching butterflies and ripe berries embodies a certain melancholy she seeks to convey on canvas.
In exploring this sentiment, Sarah came across the Welsh word 'Hiraeth,' encapsulating this elusive emotion—a longing for the ineffable and nostalgic. It's a yearning mirrored in the fading autumnal light, subtly touching butterflies and berries.
Translating this onto canvas has been a challenge for her. Balancing the beauty and sorrow in these moments is both compelling and elusive.
The fading light on butterflies and berries has become her inspiration—a dance that is both delicate and tinged with melancholy. Through these pieces, she strives to evoke the bittersweet feeling stirred by autumn's fading warmth, woven into the imagery of butterflies and berries. It's a reflection on the transient beauty found in nature's transitions—a feeling encompassed within the essence of 'Hiraeth.'
While 'Hiraeth' embodies Sarah and Nicky’s current creative synergy, Sarah looks ahead to a series of exciting collaborations lined up for 2024. These forthcoming exhibitions, featuring her work alongside other artists, promise diverse and captivating thematic explorations, offering a glimpse into the unique artistic partnerships at Wild West Works.