SENSE OF PLACE: New Works by Kim Scouller

About

Public Opening (free event, all welcome): 
Friday 17th July, 7-10pm
Exhibition continues until 6pm 26th July. 

A Sense of Place is an exhibition of new drawings and paintings, which explores Kim’s experience of nature within urban, domestic and rural environments found in London and Scotland. 

In May this year Kim was awarded a two-week artist residency at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland. Having grown up in rural Ayrshire, Kim immediately connected with the identity and character of the area and quickly set about recording her direct responses to the unique qualities of this somewhat familiar place. The emergence of spring blossom, the river, walled garden and woods all provided ample subject matter and the immersive environment allowed the time and space to be involved in experimentation, reconfiguring her approach as she adapted to this new outdoor studio.

Having only really scratched the surface of the plethora of subject matter this wonderful location had to offer, Kim returned to London charged with the excitement of working directly from nature and ready to tackle a new subject. The residency acted as a catalyst for an exploration into both the wild and tamed nature close to Kim’s studio in north London and the beginnings of a new body of work. 

In exploring new ways of seeing and experiencing the urban environment, Richard Mabey’s book ‘The Unofficial Countryside’ has been a great influence giving historical context and insights into the wild land around London. While delving into the nearby woods Kim is reminded of Mabey’s musing on city parks in the 70’s and while some of what he experienced still exists today, there is reason to feel optimistic about the diversity of these urban spaces supporting all kinds of life.

This idea of the wild within the urban setting and in finding a ‘sense of place’ are not only the stimulus for this recent work but have established a dialogue between the artist and the nature which she encounters in her urban dwellings be it within the city or other more domesticated ways of experiencing nature i.e. still life.

About the Artist

Kim Scouller graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee in 2003 and then the Prince’s Drawing School, London in 2008 and has spent the past 12 years exploring a variety of approaches to representing life and the world around her.

She has exhibited widely throughout the UK including the BP Portrait Award and is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships. Most notably in 2005 Kim was the winner of the Aspect Prize, Scotland’s most prestigious painting prize for emerging artists.

Mercer Chance Gallery,
253 Hoxton Street, N1 5LG

www.mercerchance.co.uk

Gallery Opening Hours:
11am-6pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Monday to Thursday by appointment only, please call Rachel on 07715816779

For press enquires, photo/interview requests and sales, contact: info@mercerchance.co.uk
07715816779