Alison Day. Botanical Studies 2011.

About

Alison Day. Botanical Studies 2011. Friday 11th May — Sunday 27th May The Gallery London, 132 Hither Green Lane, SE13 6QA About The Artist. : - Alison Day is a local artist who has been drawing and making work in her studio for over 20 years. She trained as a botanist originally and then moved into a more creative lifestyle by training at Goldsmiths College and The London Metropolitan University. Her original practice was photography but she began to draw again after a severe accident that left her house/studio bound for a considerable time. The drawings and paintings reflect a love for and understanding of the natural environment. The work demonstrates and a process of looking, reflecting and communicating the essence of the plant. This work takes time and a meditative patience. Some have commented that the process must be therapeutic, which it is But then doesn't artistic practice by its very nature perform this function? The work attempts to imbue the viewer with the same feeling of meditative peace. The artist invites the viewer to take time to look, not something we often give ourselves the pleasure of doing. Georgia O'Keeffe once said: Nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small - we haven't time - and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time...So I said to myself - I'll paint what I see - what the flower is to me, but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it - I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers." Ref. (http://www.tragsnart.co.uk/arthub/okeeffe/okeeffe.htm