Barbara King

Painter

Artist's Statement

Born and educated in Norwich, I studied art in Essex and Devon before graduating in Art History at the University of London. I then worked for several years in the Exhibition Department of the Arts Council of Great Britain and at the Hayward Gallery on the South Bank where I helped coordinate the ACGB touring exhibitions programme.

Now back in Norfolk I am concentrating on a career as an artist. Much of my work reflects my affinity with the county through subjects that embrace the diverse colours and shapes of the coastline, the ever-changing moods of the vast East Anglian skies and the wild beauty of the natural countryside.

The geometry of intersecting lines such as telegraph wires, ropes, masts etc are frequently used in my work to give a composition deep perspective or a more abstract quality. Looking for elements which provide a more challenging view of the literal world also engendered an absorbing interest in the shapes and patterns created by shadows and reflections. Often overlooked, these transient and intangible phenomena can, through distortion and the use of different light sources, offer virtually abstract images.

In contrast to the calm and tranquility of my seascapes and shadow paintings are the bright and vigourous paintings of folk dancers in which the action and exuberance of the dancers are caught in a moment of time. My current series of work - ?Looking Inland? focuses on the vibrant colours of the countryside and explores the naturally occuring abstract shapes and patterns to be found in the landscape.

I have exhibited and sold paintings at the Mall Gallery in London, in solo shows and galleries throughout Norfolk and directly from my website www.barbaraking.co.uk.

Contact this Artist

Email: bek@barbaraking.co.uk

Web: www.barbaraking.co.uk