A new way of seeing

The Corner Room Gallery

10, Church Street
Framlingham
Suffolk
IP13 9BH

31st October - 5th November, 2023

www.10churchstreet.org

'The imagination is not a state: it is the human existence itself.'

William Blake

William Blake recognised the extraordinary power of the imagination - he realised that we could create anything - new worlds, new stories, new art and drama - anything in fact, with the imagination.

This work is a step into an imaginative world - yes, it is all based on the real, but it steps beyond that, into a space in which imagination is allowed to flourish and abound, and yet it is all still landscape. Some images are more 'real' than others, but I ask you to step into this world of the imagination and enjoy the journey on which it takes you.

James Maberly

Dennington, Suffolk.

October 2023

Suffolk Landscapes Reimagined

This exhibition showcases Maberly's profound reinterpretation of Suffolk's terrain.

Rooted in an intimate understanding, Maberly's work transcends traditional depictions, forming an intuitive and deeply personal connection with his subjects, whether capturing wildlife in Africa or, in this instance, the distinctive landscape surrounding his home in Suffolk. This collection pays homage to the legacy of East Anglian landscape artists and writers, echoing names like John Constable, Cedric Morris, W.G.Sebald, and Ronald Blythe.

Maberly's art straddles the realms of abstraction and illustrative observation, reminiscent of icons such as Edward Bawden, and Harry Becker who also left their mark on this gently rolling landscape. Deliberately playful distortions and dynamic perspectives evoke the celestial viewpoints of Peter Lanyon and the 'long view' mastered by Eric Ravilious in Sussex. One is reminded of medieval topographical maps, perhaps a nod towards the age and history of this magical terrain.

This body of work, mostly created in the past year, divides into two distinct groups. Some find patterns and abstract distortions within the fields and hedgerows, while others, akin to Ronald Blythe's writing, delve into the everyday ordinariness of farming life. They offer an unvarnished glimpse into the continual toil, reflecting the cyclical nature of seasons and harvests, as described in the works of John Nash.

Maberly's use of texture and a subtly heightened colour palette infuse the pieces with a powerful sense of quiet drama, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in these reimagined Suffolk landscapes.

David Baldry

Artist, curator and teacher.

October 2023