Chris Powles donates watercolour to Coastal Concern
04 July 2007
Chris Powles "Fragile Landscapes" exhibition:
The paintings in this collection express the landscape as stages of a journey of transition. Each individual painting is a resting point, trying to convey a sense of solitude, a place where one can be at peace with ones inner self and surroundings, a place for contemplations and meditation. They give the viewer a space in which to reflect on the past and what might yet be experienced by both the landscape and the viewer.
When I walked along the stretch of beach at Happisburgh I felt that I had walked out of reality and onto a film set. I was shocked at the changes in a coastline that I had grown up with and whilst visually excited I could only stand in awe of the natural elements and fear for the long term future of my native landscape.
I felt a fragility in the Norfolk landscape, that it could be irrevocably damaged. I wish to convey this fragility in these paintings, causing the viewer to question how a Govenrment can ignore the problem, to decide which parts of the UK are worth saving and which are not.
Although "Horsey Mere" and the tree paintings imply a timeless tranquility, I also hope they question the long term future of the Broads, because without defending the coast we lose a unique part of the World's natural heritage.
I hope these paintings help to keep the problem in peoples' minds as a live topic and help generate support for local pressure groups and charities, such as Coastal Concern Ltd whose sole function is to assist with the provision of coastal defences for Happisburgh.
"Fragile Landscapes" is displayed at:
the Crome Gallery
34 Elm Hill, Norwich, NR3 1HG
T: 01603 622827
E: info@cromegallery.co.uk
W: www.cromegallery.co.uk
6th July - 28th July
Opening times:
Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Closed Sunday