Painting exhibition by Kelly Norman

Using pomegranates gathered from a local tree Kelly explores the painting process through traditional still life compositions. Using a mixed media of oil paint, charcoal and pencil the paintings appear softer than previous works whilst continuing to explore layers and washes that add depth and colour to this symbolic fruit.
In some religions the pomegranate tree was depicted in the Garden of Paradise and believed to be the forbidden fruit, the literal translation of pomegranate from Latin is seeded apple; pomme “apple” and granatus “seeded”. The pomegranate tree is thought to represent friendship and childhood innocence. Whilst red is the traditional colour used to represent life and death in many cultures, and during the bysantine period you were buried with a pomegranate in your hand.

The series of paintings are not symbolic but are more an exploration of the intense reds and purples the fruit displays through various stages of decay. Placed on a white table in the artist’s studio the high contrasts of colour made the fruit even more vivid. Through various compositions the pomegranates began to represent different social groupings; families, friends, being alone, young fresh, decaying and rotting.
The landscape series in the exhibition explores the Cyprus countryside where the Pomegranate tree can be found.

Kelly Norman graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 1998 with a BA Hons in Art Design and Media .She then went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Fine Art at The Cyprus College of Art in 2003. She lives and works in Limassol.

The exhibition will be opened by the British High Commissioner, Mr Matthew Kidd, on Monday 3rd October 2011 at 8.00 p.m.

Opening Hours
Monday: 17:00 - 20:00
Tuesday-Friday: 10:30-12:30 & 17:00 - 20:00
Saturday: 10:30-12:30