Jean Fysh and Susan Shaw’s exhibition ‘Where the Light Fell’ has been surprising and charming visitors since it opened on 27 April at the Warwick Art Gallery.
The mother and daughter duo have only been doing their art for five years after attending a pastel workshop by Warwick artist Nicole Wood in 2011. Their fascination with working with pastels was inspired by the instant colour and the challenge of the medium.
Susan Shaw says the joy of creating the images for the exhibition will stay with her and her mother for a long time.
“Our work generally revolves around the subtle beauty of scenes from our everyday lives,” she says.
“We simply draw images that please us.
“While time and consideration is given to the composition of drawings, and we will often spend hours raiding our china cupboards, garden sheds and fruit bowls to compose a pleasing subject, or take photographs of landscapes we have lived in, or travelled through, our drawings are not meant to inspire deep emotions.
“We are simply attracted to the colour, texture and the relationship objects have between each other.”
Warwick Art Gallery director Karina Devine invited the artists to exhibit at Warwick Art Gallery after they entered in the Southern Downs Regional Artists exhibition in 2015.
“Both artists have a lovely way of composing the subjects of their pastel drawings,” Ms Devine said.
“Their subject matter is generally quite simple and understated yet they capture a piece of fruit or the patchwork of shop roofs in a way that makes that simple object shine.
“Susan and Jean have a style of working with pastel that makes it seem almost like velvet. I am so pleased that they accepted our invitation to have this exhibition though I know it has been quite daunting for them.”
‘Where the Light Fell’ will be on display until 3 June.
This is the first exhibition where Warwick Art Gallery will operate under its new weekend hours. The gallery has extended its Saturday hours until 4pm and will no longer open on Sundays.
Warwick Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.
