The first major solo exhibition by renowned artist Svetlana Cameron, sponsored by SMP Partners, has been officially opened by President of Tynwald Clare Christian, patron of Island of Culture.
Svetlana has brought together a selection of her finest works, chiefly from private collections, for the exhibition at the Sayle Gallery in Douglas, which runs until the end of the month.
It is the first time such a large collection of her work has been exhibited for a solo show, combining private and official portraits plus paintings from her new project, ‘Tynwald Day’.
The exhibition was officially opened during a preview evening on Tuesday, attended by the owners and subjects of many of the pieces on display.
Mrs Christian said Svetlana had made her mark in the Island’s cultural scene, paying tribute to the ‘amazing talent she has for capturing the person, the personality and the character’.
She added: ‘It is a great honour to officially open the exhibition, and I’m sure many of us will be popping back more than once.’
Svetlana explained the fact most of her work is produced to commission makes mounting a major exhibition a challenge, as the show cannot pay for itself through sales of the art. She said this major show was only possible thanks to the unfaltering support of her sponsor, SMP Partners.
She added: ‘I could not approach a gallery with a project like this and take space for a month without support. Any uncertainty I felt about the exhibition disappeared once I approached SMP Partners. Their immediate positive response gave me such confidence.
‘I am very grateful for this opportunity. A solo show is a big landmark and highlight in any artist’s career. I am really overwhelmed.’
SMP Partners Managing Director Mark Denton revealed he immediately became a fan of Svetlana when he first saw her work in November 2012. During an auction in aid of Manx Cancer Help in May 2013, he successfully bought one of her paintings, which is included in the new exhibition, and had the opportunity to talk to Svetlana about her career and art.
He said it was a great honour to now be supporting her exhibition.
Mr Denton added: ‘We jumped at the chance to be the sponsor, to support the Sayle Gallery and, more importantly, to showcase this exceptional artist in this, the Island of Culture year.
‘The exhibition has a fantastic choice of works for people to see, and I’d encourage everyone to take the opportunity to see Svetlana’s remarkable art for themselves.’
The exhibition continues until 30 November.
Photo - (from left) SMP Partners Managing Director Mark Denton, President of Tynwald Clare Christian and artist Svetlana Cameron. Courtesy of Marianne McCourt.
