Welcome Ken Messer to Artweeks with his peaceful rural and architectural scenes. First an accountant, then an airline steward, he become an artist. Self taught, he was spotted by Ruskin Spear, won a £10 painting competition run by the Daily Telegraph and never looked back. A superb craftsman, his streams and paths lead the eye beneath filigree of leafless branches into the countryside. His watercolour of Radcot Bridge reflects the oldest bridge over the River Thames, while his Oxford buildings, empty of cars and people, evoke the beauty of colleges like Hertford Bridge. From a high viewpoint, his Dreaming Spires, with the Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre and the Clarendon Building, capture the essence of this beautiful city.
In contrast Bill Bird's lively, crowded and brightly coloured Oxford panoramas, the Covered Market and At the Sheldonian, are accelerating. Neville Crowson sees drawing as paramount: his isolated Shifford Church is partially hidden behind tall grasses. Influenced by Patrick Grange he paints "en plein air", like the French expressionists. Starting early in the morning with foreground, he moves from middle to far distance covering a wide expanse of farmland as the light changes. Do see Cornfields towards Asthall and Windrush. Working nearer home, you spot his vapour trail or an electricity cable gently bringing his traditional oil scenes up to the present day. Happy to show you more work visit Blomfield House, Cote, near Aston.
Also painting in situ is Susan Wright; inspired by the rural peace near West Hanney, she brings freedom and space to her watercolours like The Ridgeway Above Wantage. Calling herself an "honest painter", Lower Slaughter Mill, with its softened pink bricks, the sound of water and the small figures is a living place. In more emotional pictures, like The Berkshire Downs, life is overwhelmed by threatening skies.
The silversmith and jeweller Patricia Hamilton is influenced by rippling water; her caviar dish pierced with tiny fish sits gracefully on its copper bowl. All her hand-forged creations are lightly frosted obviating the highly polished, mechanical look. Each individual exquisite goblet, simple spoon, jug or sugar bowl would make a gift for life. A craftsman of high quality, she lines an 18ct gold salt cellar, while another is caste from an original oyster shell. Her jewellery, like the necklace of Tahitian natural black pearls interspersed with green tourmaline rectangular spacers, is fit for a princess.
Until May 25. Tues-Sat 10.30am-4pm; Sun 2-4pm.
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