'Misrana', an exhibition of new work by Susan Sands

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Misrana: an exhibition of new work by Susan Sands The subject matter of artist Susan Sands' exhibition in Tenby throughout September, falls into four categories: scenes from life in India; landscapes of Pembrokeshire; a circus theme; and figures and flowers. Susan travels to India annually and has done for many years. Here she supports a village school in XXX and has many connections in the surrounding community, regularly being invited to family celebrations and ceremonies. With her knowledge of the people and their culture she has produced authentic work, both abstract and figurative, including an interpretation of Lucknow festival, Ganges boats, Indian royalty and henna hand-painting rituals. Susan has lived and had her studio in Pembrokeshire for XXX years and the rural scenes she depicts are not the tourist hotspots of the county but places she knows intimately — the quieter backwaters of the Cleddau, a farm's lambing shed at the busiest time, lesser known buildings, woods and gardens. The circus, like the Indian theme, offers the artist the opportunity of using bright colour, embellishment and movement in each spectacle. Observant work of animals and acrobats, clowns and dancers, in the ring and the procession are the result of Susan's acrylic work. In the last group, there are strong female nude paintings, and still lifes with flowers, some of the work featuring windows being inspired by a poem by Rilke. In the exhibition the work includes acrylic painting on canvas and paper, collages and monoprints. Though formerly better known as a printmaker (being a founder member of the XXX print group) Susan Sands has developed a painting style which has the same directness and strength as her printmaking, but with the advantages of full value colour and subtle mark making. Rooted in drawing skills, Susan tackles any subject with gusto. The decorative work of ‘Kerala' is balanced against the restrained hues of ‘Gumfreston Church', the delicate treatment of a veiled woman in a window is matched by the brash exuberance of ‘Zippo the clown'. View the exhibition on the gallery website