Wild landscapes filled with atmospheric light evoke changing seasons, and loose brush marks can make the viewer believe they can feel the spray of a waterfall on their face. This series of paintings by Helène Dougherty are windows of escapism – to places unlike where the artist lives. Views of the ocean and the towering waterfalls, which fascinate Helène, capture the energy of water as it moves.
These, along with the forests and skies are inspired by places in Wales, remembered and referenced from photographs, and then painted in her studio in St Helens.
The title of the exhibition, taken from TS Eliot’s poem ‘East Coker’ refers to Helène’s use of light and movement and this collection of work is part of the artist’s drive to paint more loosely and less figuratively. In order to develop as a painter she is fighting against a tendency to use tighter brush marks to paint realistically – this theme of change is also referenced in that poem:
“In order to arrive at what you are notYou must go through the way in which you are not.”
These softer, looser connections between the parts of the picture make the most of the qualities of paint and give the audience space to react emotionally to the work – placing themselves in these landscapes and allowing their memory to dance in the light.