I am pleased to be able to show the work of all artists, however on show in SMiLE is the work of three artists that deserve particular notice; Garrick Palmer, Maggie Cross and Carolyn Wallis.
Garrick Palmer
Garrick Palmer is a Portsmouth-born artist who has been making paintings, drawings, engravings as well as taking photographs for over 60 years. His motifs are intense repeated patterns, shapes and lines, depicting plant seed heads, silhouetted against a field or the strange mechanical slightly disturbing forms, which inhabit his paintings and wood engravings. Royal Academy trained and with many years teaching at Winchester School of Art he is an award-winning artist whose work is held in many public and private collections in the UK and Europe. He has a whole page devoted to him on Wikipedia, which as we know to get on Wiki you need to be either very good or very bad and Garrick is the former; so it’s a privilege to show his work.
Maggie Cross
Maggie Cross is a Chinese watercolour artist whose work is exceptionally fine and delicate. Maggie studied the ancient art of Chinese brush painting in Hong Kong and is a member of the Chinese Brush Painting Society and the Society of Floral Painters. She regularly exhibits her work, teaches, and has published three books about the art of Chinese brush painting.
Carolyn Wallis
Carolyn Wallis specialises in silk scarves woven in complex patterns. Her 100% spun silk yarn is hand dyed and she achieves her colours with both natural and synthetic dyes. Inspiration for her designs come from the natural world – birds’ plumage, snakeskin, animal fur, flowers and trees. Her silk scarves, many of which are on show in the current exhibition, are exceptionally soft to touch with complex patterns and colour matching making them stand out as items of beauty, not only to look at but also to wear. We are very pleased to have these on display and you will not find finer anywhere.