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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Art Exhibition
Martin Yeoman - India
Verdict: Paintings & sketches of India
Martin Yeoman presents oil paintings and sketches of India. Most of the paintings - on canvas, and paper - show buildings, with occasional pedestrians. The sketch-books - containing rough-edged water-colour paper - reveal studies for the paintings, and some intriguing (rather rauchy) figures; plus cows.
There are around 34 paintings, mainly attaché-case size. They're often atmospheric - the lines are soft - washed with a blue mist. This suggests variously: heat, smog, or a bad kif hangover. Ochre highlights are used occasionally for the sun's light, contrasting effectively - in a way that's hightly analagous to theatrical lighting.
There's intriguing use of shadow, both to deepen perspective and convey the mood of the time of day. This is particularly visible in two views of The Church of St Cajetan, Goa (oil on paper, 6.50 x 8.75 in, and 5.25 x 9.25 inches): in the first the building's hit full on by the risen sun; in the second, the shadow of a tree to the left covers half the wall.
The Fort At Datia (oil on canvas 15.75 x 43.75 in), the largest painting, dominates the rear gallery. Caught at late evening, it's a sweeping perspective washed out in Martin Yeoman's patent blue haze. Most of the paintings look from human eye-level - the height at which the artist hangs the exhibition. There are a couple of dramatically contrasting worm's-eye views; and a fabulous high-level shot from the ramparts of a fort.
The Golden Temple, Amritsar (oil on paper, 10 x 13.25 in) is one of the few well-known views; hence perhaps its place in the window. A fascination of the exhibition is the artist's look for places that are either un-clichéd, or shown in a new way.
The larger sketch-book (about A4 size) brims with high-precision sketches in ink and pencil. Some are line only, others augmented with smudged pencil or ink-washed shadows; many with brief notes about future colouring.
There's a stunning self-portrait in the smaller of 2 notebooks (about A5 size). A complex drawing, sharply accentuated by slashed ink lines, the artist's glasses are lowered, and he looks into the distance.
Quite what he may be looking at is revealed a few pages before in a melange of fornicating figures tucked above the pediment of an ornate classical building - showing what's missed if one doesn't look up. There's a belly-dancer too; and some excellently moody cows with the smug look of sacred protection that English cows can only aspire to.
Credits: Artist / Hung by - Martin Yeoman. Gallery Director - Indar Pasricha.
END
John Park
reviewed Thursday 15 July 04 / Indar Pasricha Fine Arts
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
