The Great Completeness
An exhibition of work
by Vale artist Glyn Pooley

Presented at the Gate Arts Centre, Keppoch Street, Roath from Monday 27th October to Saturday
29t November. Private View Saturday 25th
October 4pm-6pm.

In my paintings the sky has been interpreted from within the context of  historical landmarks – standing stones, ancient monuments, mysterious islands.

The sky stands over us all as a symbol of the infinite and a source of secrets yet to be discovered.

Above us, the sky is an endlessly compelling and complete presence.

Awesome in scale, profound and timeless in existence, it transcends all geographical boundaries, political constraints and social barriers.

The magic of the sky is truly transcendental.

From the dawn of history, mankind has looked up at the sky and sought answers to the mystery of life.

Humans noted the signs that it offered and interpreted them as indications of God’s favour or displeasure.

In their mind’s eye, they discovered images of fantastic animals and saw terrifying omens for the future.

Making connections between aspects of landscape, and the people that live there, illuminates for me subtle differences in the sky and confirms traditions that go back at least as far as the creation of Stonehenge.

Certain of my sky images take the viewer to some pretty strange places.

‘The Elephant Greets the Prince in an African Sky’ coalesced whilst viewing a formation centred over Merthyr Dyfan Church, Barry.

The painting ‘From Eternity to the Garden of Compassion’ appeared to me while studying the sky over Flat Holm Island.

Portrayal of these amazing transformations is the central theme to my exhibition. I have tried to capture, solidify and make tangible the ethereal and transient flux of the sky.

My images will sustain close examination and change before your eyes revealing faces, animals, and vast landscapes, all elements of what I myself saw.

The sky is as a mirror to our existence and enhances our understanding and awareness.

In the words of Charlotte Bronte, perhaps we should “Try to avoid looking forward or backwards and try to keep looking upwards”.