Venice and Beyond, Paintings 1967 - 1972
After a tip off in a crit group session, I made a pilgrimage to Graves Gallery in Sheffield. Bridget Riley has been around for years, unbeknown to me, but after feedback on my own work I thought it time to investigate.
I went to the gallery alone; I hate going to galleries alone. Something about the deafening silence, creaking floors and the squeaking of my shoes is unnerving to me, but I'm a grown up now...
The first thing that strikes you as you walk into the room where the Riley's are kept, is the sheer scale of the paintings. They are HUGE. The combination of these huge paintings, my squeaking shoes and the deafening silence was a little too much for me, I felt as though these giant paintings were going to consume me, filling my field of vision and making my eyes go funny. It was an experience to say the least.
I was told to go and see Bridget Riley's work as it bares strong correlation to my own work at present. Repetitive line and an air of optical illusion to mess with the mind are what I'm into these days, but enough about me.
Riley's paintings are truly a wonder to behold. The satisfaction of looking at lines so perfectly straight and even brought a smile to my face. Her use of colour is excellent. Colour is something I have struggled with in my own work, ( I'm a black and white kinda girl) but after seeing how other artists manipulate colour has given me something to think about.
I didn't take any pictures of my own in the gallery, but a quick google search or EVEN BETTER a trip to Graves Gallery to see Riley's work will enlighten you on the glory of these massive paintings. A small show but a good show, highly recommend taking the time to explore.
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