Serious artists in our city

…emotions which I’d rather keep in the deep recesses of my mind. Through this collection the viewer will start to experience my inner psyche and spirit. I suppose I still feel safe containing these raw emotions in 2D or 3D art form. It’s fixed and inanimate.’

‘I also often had a block with words – particularly being bilingual. There was often confusion with meanings and from an early age I would draw, paint and make. I think this was the way I learned to communicate and it stayed with me. I don’t have to think about language. I can offer an open-endedness and the viewer can decide.’

‘It has actually been painful although I’ve relived many fond memories and good experiences’

‘The time is now right to “come out”, if you like, to communicate what I went through as a child and young woman. Before, I played safe. My pieces were exploring more universal themes. But this is from the gut. It has actually been painful although I’ve relived many fond memories and good experiences. I’ve reduced my teaching commitments for this collection as I wanted to really find my feet and put some things to bed.’

Included in the exhibition will be the relief installation Unspoken, a self-sculpture consisting of life sand cast body parts: knees, toes, face, hand, elbow, extremes signifying the pushing out and breaking through of barriers. Also exhibited will be a self-portrait painting as yet untitled. A young woman in headscarf and opened front green dress begins the marrow chopping ritual. The painting split in two symbolises the perpetual struggle of conflicting emotions.

The exhibition ‘Unspoken’ runs from Saturday, 18 January – Saturday, 8 February, 10 am – 2 pm and 2.30 – 5 pm at The Yarrow Gallery, Glapthorn Road, Oundle. Ten per cent of proceeds will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The exhibition will be on tour at the City Gallery at Peterborough Museum, Saturday, 22 February – Sunday,  23 March.

For more details contact Giuseppina Santoro-Elwood at Figtree Art Studio, 01733 244738; ; www.figtreeartstudio.com or Jeremy Oddie, Head of Art, Oundle School at