Known for her large-scale, dramatic paintings – this new exhibition of 12 works sees Lily exploring the colours and themes of the spring blossoms she was drawn to during the last year of the pandemic – musing upon the life cycle that we cannot control. The collection captures moments in nature that are fleeting, resulting in works that feel charged with energy and optimism.
Each of Lily’s new works explore the vibrant blossoms that flourish in the springtime. Lily explains: “For the last few years I’ve been drawn to the land, the sea and the sky and have used them as a starting point for my work. After a year of great transition, I’ve been able to embrace life as a full time artist – which has given my work more time to develop. During both spring lockdowns I became fascinated with the blossoms – they are fleeting, times of change which serve as a bridge between the dark of winter and the upcoming light of spring. This reflects that we can’t control the length of life, like the length of bloom, yet we can focus on embracing and enjoying the beauty available in the present.”
The finished works are optimistic and also challenging, tapping into themes of new beginnings and vulnerability.
Lily continues: “The charged pink hues are new to my work and a big change from the brooding and moody blues I’ve been working with over the last few years. For me, pink can signify new energy and femininity – beauty, strength and empowerment. It was also important to me that the exhibition was presented in the winter. A jarring contrast to the paintings made over spring and summer. The light and dark contrast that always co-exists.”