Thursday 1st July 2004
Danny Howell writes:
An inspiring exhibition of 18 watercolour paintings by Christopher Edwick are currently on show at the Newton House Studio in Wylye.
There are 12 landscapes and 6 abstract paintings, with titles such as ‘loved up crush’ and ‘we don’t need to touch, just breath on me,’ and if you want to make a purchase, the prices range from £165 to £425.
Chris Edwick is London-born but came to Wiltshire as a child, when his parents moved here, and he went to Bishop Wordsworth School in Salisbury. He returned to the capital to do a BA Honours Fine Art course, prior to pursuing a successful photography career for 15 years.
He worked as a fashion photographer for the Mail On Sunday and The Times newspapers, and also contributed to Monsoon’s retail brochure, The Company Magazine, as well as other publications. He left the world of photography last year, returning to Wiltshire, to become a full-time painter.
Because of its sensuality and fluidity, Chris prefers watercolour as his chosen medium, which combines well with his vivid imagination. His work has been compared with the two great Scottish watercolourists, John Maxwell and William Gillies, both of whom left a powerful mark on Elizabeth Blackadder, Sir Robin Philipson and many others.
Chris says his vivid use of colour brings a whole new dimension to his landscape scenes. Although he is obviously skilled in drawing, there is a minimum in his paintings, which he says allows his colours to explode on the mind. This is borne out by the comments already recorded in the visitors’ book to the exhibition.
Derrick Tilbury of Wylye notes the “stunning use of colour,†while Tara Kingrett of Chitterne describes the paintings as “tremendous, with some very good effects.†Peter Dolbear of Bratton has written “Thoroughly enjoyed. A joy to see paintings of quality.â€
The exhibition runs until Saturday 10th July and is open from 10 am to 5 pm. Newton House Studio is off the High Street, in Wylye, just a couple of doors up from the village shop and post office.