Landscapes and Light – Victoria Harrison Solo Exhibition 2010
http://www.artspace-galleries.com
Victoria Harrison captures the beauty of something, a scene, a sky or a mood and strive for creating something timeless which not oppressive nor political but thoughtful, ergonomic and soothing. Harrison often thinks of the colour pallet and tones before starting a painting then thinking though the logistics of planning the layout on the canvas before she begins. Filling in the area and creating depth with broad brush stokes and tightening the image as she builds up definition in layers. It helps to pull together a collection, so there is a logical progression. The use of spatulas is a favourite, scraping back shapes help give a real sense of depth and texture. She uses anything which may create an interesting pattern from toothbrushes to sand or mixing paints and varnishes which split and marble when painted on.
Victoria Harrison was born in northern Spain and grew up in South West England. She sailed every year to Santander and spent long summers in very remote parts of Aragon and the Spanish Pyrenees. She was mesmerised by the churning deep blue seas of the Bay of Biscay, their movement and power thumping the boat, then foaming back.
Harrison had an idyllic childhood, accompanying her parents on excavations where she could roam free outdoors and chat to volunteers from all walks of life from around the world. It was here that she began sketching landscapes with the support and encouragement of her family and friends, trying out new materials and techniques. A few years ago, an oil pastel on cartridge paper Harrison did at 16 was immortalised in print: Frontispiece, titled 'View of Majaladares' Published 2007—Majaladares (Spain). A Bronze Age Village of Farmers, Hunters and Herders.
After school Harrison attended life-drawing classes run by an artist with a contagious zest for life. He influenced her painting to be bigger, bolder and more abstract going to his classes for ten years. Following school, Harrison found herself leaning towards the mainstream corporate path working for a global bank. It was where her mentor and friend, discovered she liked to paint and commissioned her for some works for a new Head Office building, three large, framed landscapes in oils and Acrylics.
Harrison has become a member of the Saatchi Gallery, the Tate and the Hesketh Hubbard Society. She has also studied Art Law at the Sotheby’s and doing a Diploma in History of Art at the London Art College .
