Reframing the Past: Historical landscapes of Spain - Dr Elizabeth Drayson
These paintings are not conventional landscapes, as they trace the history of
Spanish towns, cities and historical sites in their landscape from earliest times to
the present.
Barcelona, Historical Landscape - oil and mixed media on board
Dr E Drayson
The historical memory of each place is evoked by symbols or images of its evolution through time, allowing the viewer to piece together its history as a visual narrative. That memory of the past is highly varied, yet also has an underlying unity created by the successive generations of Christian, Muslim and Jewish peoples who inhabited the Spanish Peninsula and who have given it a unique yet ambiguous identity.
Elizabeth Drayson is a British artist whose work explores the history of places and people through portraits, landscapes and abstraction, and seeks to uncover the essential nature of historical subjects, including famous personages, significant places and events, often set in their past context, using oil paint and mixed media.
She is also an author, and she paints the history she writes about. Her work explores the close relationship between writing and art, using the profound inspiration of European history, and artistic influences both medieval and modern, to give shape to her vision. She uses tools and techniques designed to rethink the genres of portrait and landscape painting and express an interpretation of the past in the language of contemporary visual art. Her intention is to bring the past alive in the present using both traditional and innovative techniques in composition, use of colour and markmaking to create a compelling visual narrative.
Please note that this exhibition is not open all the time; it is recommended to contact the Porters' Lodge (01223 762100) in advance to confirm accessibility.