July 10th 2024.
As summer approaches, art enthusiasts and culture lovers are eagerly anticipating the upcoming Sheila Girling exhibition in Fife. The late British abstract painter, known for her vibrant and emotionally charged pieces, is finally getting the recognition she deserves on the 100th anniversary of her birth.
Despite Girling's groundbreaking talent, she was often overlooked during her lifetime. But now, thanks to the efforts of arts organization SPACE TO BREATHE, her most comprehensive exhibition to date will be held in Fife. The event, dedicated to Girling's impressive body of work, will feature rare pieces from her collection and will be held in Bowhouse, St Monans.
Over 70 of Girling's large-scale paintings and collages will be on display, alongside sculptures by her lifelong partner, Sir Anthony Caro. Born in Birmingham, Girling honed her skills as a student at the School of Art and later at the Royal Academy Schools in London, where she received numerous awards.
Since her first solo exhibition in London in 1978, Girling's work has been showcased around the world, with exhibits in Canada, Germany, Spain, and the USA. Her paintings are a testament to her understanding of the power of emotion and the use of color to convey form. While she is primarily known for her abstract paintings, Girling also experimented with different mediums such as clay, paint, and works on paper.
Girling's work embodies the freedom and innovation of American abstraction, while also having a distinct English sensibility and classical training. She often credited her visits to North America and the influence of prominent American artists, such as Robert Motherwell and Helen Frankenthaler, for shaping her style.
Girling's marriage to fellow artist Anthony Caro in 1949 was a significant influence on both their works. She described their 64-year marriage as a continuous conversation about art, with her having a significant impact on Caro's sculptures. In fact, she often chose or changed the colors of his sculptures and even painted them herself.
As she continued to evolve as an artist, Girling began to incorporate animation and gestures into her work, adding new dimensions to her pieces. In the 1980s, she began incorporating cut, torn, and pasted papers into her canvases, allowing her to make long-term decisions about structure and color.
Her use of color and abstract form bridged British, European, and American influences, making her a central figure in the avant-garde art scene of the 1960s until her death in 2015. The upcoming exhibition in Fife will be a testament to her lasting impact on the art world.
Curated by art consultant Sophie Camu and photographer Alexander Lindsay, the exhibition will run from July 20th to August 5th, and then again from August 17th to September 1st. The organizers are excited to bring this museum-quality exhibition to Fife and provide a platform for visitors to engage with Girling's most significant works.
Girling's large canvases are a sight to behold, with their intense colors and dynamic forms evoking the natural world while expressing the medium's fluidity, whether it be acrylic on canvas or paper collage. It's a fantastic opportunity for both longtime fans and newcomers to experience Girling's art firsthand and appreciate her immense talent.
Make sure to mark your calendars for this must-see exhibition and check out more culture stories on the SPACE TO BREATHE website. And for the latest issue of Scottish Field, don't forget to subscribe.
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