interpretations of landscape
1st March - 6th may
Interpretations of landscape celebrates the land around Masham as depicted by Simon Palmer. Simon was one of the first artists we ever showed in Masham Gallery 30 years ago, and the selection of works reflect that. We sang in the choir together and had a mutual appreciation for the quiet beauty of the North Yorkshire landscape, the way light falls on trees and land, the connections between humans, nature and spirit. You can see many stories in Simon’s work and each time you revisit a piece that story can be slightly different.
Over the last four decades Simon Palmer has become one of Britain’s leading water colour artists. Amongst a legion of impressive achievements he has had 10 solo London exhibitions and been accepted to the Royal Academy Summer exhibition a number of times. Like other British artists before him he draws a spiritual connection from the land in a specific place. Anyone visiting Wensleydale will immediately recognise Palmer country: the narrow lanes, railway bridges, the drystone walls and winding fencing, stone churches and farms, ancient trees and new saplings and, on the horizon, the distant moors waiting to claim back this now domesticated land.
His connection with his much loved home and the world of his imagination unfettered by current trends and opinions has let him see what others do not. In this sense he is a visionary painter. From the apparently familiar he has created an illusion which hovers on the brink of reality.
Over the last four decades Simon Palmer has become one of Britain’s leading water colour artists. Amongst a legion of impressive achievements he has had 10 solo London exhibitions and been accepted to the Royal Academy Summer exhibition a number of times. Like other British artists before him he draws a spiritual connection from the land in a specific place. Anyone visiting Wensleydale will immediately recognise Palmer country: the narrow lanes, railway bridges, the drystone walls and winding fencing, stone churches and farms, ancient trees and new saplings and, on the horizon, the distant moors waiting to claim back this now domesticated land.
His connection with his much loved home and the world of his imagination unfettered by current trends and opinions has let him see what others do not. In this sense he is a visionary painter. From the apparently familiar he has created an illusion which hovers on the brink of reality.