Kerry Souter evokes the elemental, emotional power of the sea in Time & Tide at Graystone Gallery, Edinburgh.
‘My paintings are intuitive, ethereal, multi-layered artworks, gathering memories and found objects relating to a place or moment in time; I aim to create expressive, abstract landscapes that combine the rich textures and organic pattern found in nature’. – Kerry Souter
Specialising in contemporary fine art – painting, ceramics, sculpture – Graystone Gallery often presents a small group of artists sharing a well-curated theme. In this solo show, Time and Tide, Kerry Souter’s majestic seascapes are attractively displayed around the light, bright space, drawing the eye through the Gallery to the painting on the far-end wall.
A cloud of colour with a subtle glow of light bursts off the canvas in Between the Waves and the Winds – a mesmerising, misty mash-up of the elements. The lush layering of paint – emerald green, aqua, peach and cream – and the complex pattern of swirling air and translucent water along the seashore are visually hypnotic.
Kerry blends acrylic and mixed-media for an extraordinary shimmering effect, as well as experimenting with a sprinkle of baking powder on greaseproof paper. This technique may have been used in Sea Lace to create the sense of splashing surf as the waves roll over the seaweed-carpeted beach.
Having studied Textile Design at art college, her skill in crafting materials is evident in the rich textural surface of her paintings, as she describes: ‘These are completed over a period of several weeks or months. I gradually build layers and marks, semi-transparent glazes and collage to create depth and history in each piece.’
Observed close-up, one can see the decorative detail, as in Etched by the Elements, with its precise carved lines and scratches. A series of copper ridges is like the backbone of a fish, a marine fossil engrained and etched in the cracked rocks.
Currently living in Ayr, her artwork is inspired as an emotional response to the coastline and the sea, to reflect on the natural environment and its transformation, past and present.
In Shingle and Stone, her astute naturalist study of organic structure depicts grains of golden sand, grey veins of pebbles, marks and textures left by gradual erosion through the constant movement of tidal waves.
The contour of the sandy shoreline smothered in a blue wash of water in Turquoise Tide Pools captures the rhythmic swell of the ocean. No wonder we love to stand on a tranquil beach with nothing but the soothing sound of waves and a fresh sea breeze.
Kerry Souter clearly has a passion, a sea-fever, for the natural beauty of the Scottish coastline.
‘I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky’, mused John Masefield.
Through vivid colour and textured patterns, these abstract impressionistic paintings are akin to finely embroidered tapestries and as such, would enhance the furnishings of your home – decoratively-designed artwork for quiet reflection, embracing the timeless flow of the tide in powerful yet quietly poetic seascapes.
The exhibition also features text-based artwork by Catherine Sargeant. The Gallery will be holding a talk session with Kerry and Catherine on Saturday 24th May at 2pm.
With thanks to Vivien Devlin for this review.
The Gallery supports the Own Art finance scheme, which makes purchasing artworks more affordable through payment by instalments.
