We often think of landscape art as a boring plateau of chocolate box scenery. Landscape art has become an almost negative label that is of course until you see the great works of Vanishing Point on now at Curious Duke Gallery. Photography from Toby Deveson looms with misty mountains that share a surreality of forms, as does the mixed media steel sheets of Sam Peacock.

 

Here we talk to drip painter Emmylou and Mountainscape artist Samantha Gare.

 

Emmylou, we have a few questions about landscape art and your practice.

 

Escape to by Emmylou

Are you a landscape artist?

I would say I am a landscape artist, but my current works concentrate on skies.

 

What is it that draws you to a landscape?

For me landscapes symbolise freedom. I love the endlessness feeling that I get from landscapes and the idea that it continues into the distance of limitless possibilities. I particularly like natural landscapes, as nature for me has always been an escape from reality so I am drawn to anything related to the ‘outdoors’ such as landscapes although I guess you could call my current work skyscapes!

 

The idea of what can be considered landscape art has evolved dramatically, what does that mean now?

Landscape painting is generally painting what we see around us, be it nature or urban landscapes, but as our world changes and mediums become more available to use, we are creating a diverse variety of paintings that are becoming increasingly more urban, 'trendy' and surreal. I think this is a very exciting time for artists to experiment and the viewer to see!

 

 

Samantha Gare

Arctic Circle by Samantha Gare

 

I don’t think of myself as a landscape artist, though technically that is what I draw. I’ve always been confused by my own rejection of being labeled as a landscape artist and often wondered why I am being so unfair and stubborn to the landscape discipline I find myself part off. In the dictionary landscape is ‘all the visible features of an area of land, often considered in terms of their aesthetic appeal.’ To me this is as shallow as a puddle in the desert. The word landscape leaves me wanting. My work is not just about the ‘landscape’ but what is underneath the water so to speak, and ultimately it is about what you can’t see rather than what you can see. Maybe this is where landscape is heading, more conceptual in its directions and meanings.

 

I’m fascinated by how all living creatures, including us; interact with space and how these spaces change us. I focus on interactions with the environment; the emotions, responses and the experiences of trying to survive against this wild backdrop. I also aim to explore how living in different cultures might create a differing view of the same space. There is an immense world outside my window that has power over everything – I seek to remember this space that has been forgotten in our process of taming the wild by covering it in concrete.

 

The works in Vanishing Point are all inspired by the immense spaces. These white lands create the most amazing colours. The only sound you hear is the distant crack of breaking ice, or the slow movement of the snow amongst the beautiful emptiness. They truly are unfathomable, unforgiving and beautiful lands. Life is hard in these places but life exists, is that not amazing? – The way that life strives to live in such unlivable places.

 

 

Thank you Emmylou and Sam!

The definition of landscape art is changing dramatically.

 

Vanishing Point

19th March- 11th April.

PV Thursday 19th March 6-9

Curious Duke Gallery

173 Whitecross St.

London, EC1Y 8JT

 

Written by Curious Duke Gallery blogger Sinéad Loftus.

Lover of all art and fluffy cats.