Nine of the Sayle Gallery’s most popular artists have taken the theme of the ‘human condition’ and interpreted it in work that ranges from oil paintings, drawings and sculptures to textiles. Some have drawn on personal experience; others approached the theme from a more philosophical angle.
Textile artist Julie Fayle has interpreted the theme to show the passage of time and implying stories untold by accelerating the aging process on cloth. Her wall hangings show the delicate, ethereal surface of worn and mended cloth representing the wear and tear of life, and the mending and moving on which each of us does throughout life.
Brigid Stowell’s black ink paintings touch on her personal experience of living with - and recovering from - depression, and emotions from birth and throughout life are also the theme of Charlotte Jane Henry’s series of pictures.
“Although the work is personal to me,” says Charlotte, “I hope it portrays how we may choose to face difficulties, sometimes by running away but ultimately by how we cope.”
Both Rosi Robinson and Tony Kennan consider the human condition as a game. Tony’s collection is called ‘Mind Games’ – what we think about others, and what we think they are thinking about us, and how we then react to those thoughts. Rosi, on the other hand, has drawn on recent visits to some of the world’s most populated cities for her work:
“In painting ‘The Games We Play’, the New York grid system became the highlight of the piece,” says Rosi. “The title refers to the fact that although as humans, we possibly have a need to simplify and classify life into ‘boxes’ or categories, this trait often doesn’t really help us see the amazing creative potential in each one of us, and so life can become more superficial; a bit of a game.”
Bruno Cavellec’s work in this exhibition takes the words of philosopher Michel de Montaigne, "Every man bears the whole stamp of the human condition," as his inspiration, and carried this further in his oil and gesso painting ‘Better Days’ which draws on the words of Mexican poet Octavio Paz about solitude: ‘Man is the only being who knows he is alone’.
‘Human Condition’ can be seen at the Sayle Gallery, Douglas from 29 March until 14 April.
Other artists taking part in ‘Human Condition’ are: Gavin Carter, Bryony Harrison and Liana Rosa.
Location: The Sayle Gallery, Villa Marina Arcade, 1-3 Harris Promenade, Douglas, IM1 2HN
Opening times: 10am – 5pm Tue – Sat, 1.30 – 4.30pm Sundays, 1pm – 5pm Mondays
Admission: FREE
Telephone: 01624 674557
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