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Elizabeth Blackadder: Beyond Flowers
31 May
Summary
- Exhibition showcases chilly landscapes and still life.
- Works from the artist's first two decades are featured.
- Pieces offer a less familiar view of the celebrated artist.
An exhibition in Hampshire is shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of artist Elizabeth Blackadder's career, moving beyond her famous flower and cat paintings. The show focuses on her early works, specifically chilly landscapes and minimalist still life compositions from the initial two decades of her professional life. Many of these pieces are being displayed publicly for the first time, offering a fresh perspective on her artistic journey.
The exhibition includes Italian landscapes from the 1950s, created after Blackadder won a traveling scholarship and spent time in Florence. These works, painted during a harsh post-war winter, capture a palpable sense of cold, as noted by art writer Anna Brady. Additionally, the display features still life oil paintings from the 1960s and 1970s. In these later works, Blackadder demonstrates a growing confidence in simplifying her compositions to their essential elements.
Gallery director Jenna Burlingham emphasized that the exhibition is particularly exciting for illuminating the period between 1955 and 1975, revealing a quieter side of the artist. Blackadder, who passed away in 2021 at age 89, was a pioneering artist, being the first woman elected to both the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy of Arts. The gallery is especially proud of the early landscapes, noted for their soft, earthy tones and simplified forms that approach abstraction.
