PONTRHYDFENDIGAID-BASED artist Chloe Rodenhurst currently has her work exhibiting in a number of galleries across Ceredigion.
This week the artist spoke to the Herald about her art, which you can view at Cardigan Bay Gallery in Aberystwyth, the Aberaeron Tourist Information Centre, Spotty Zebra shop in Aberaeron Craft Center, Rhiannon Center in Tregaron and Elemental Arts in St Clears.
“I have always liked the sort of art that tells a story,” she told us.
“No doubt this is because when I was a child we often visited museums and art galleries and my mother would always explain the narrative and symbolism within the work on display. “I found this fascinating and understanding the language of art was as important to me as appreciating the quality of the actual painting.”
Chloe’s favourite genre of art has always been the folk art of China and India with its lovely bright colours and odd perspective.
“Having spent the first eight years of my life living in central Birmingham within a very mixed race community, the local Chinese and Asian shops were full of delicious smells, gaudy embroidered fabrics were everywhere and they had Christmas decorations up all year round. I loved them.”
She felt that the shops, and the Asian community in general, were so much more exciting and alive than the regular parts of the city where the chain stores were located.
“It’s no wonder the art from India and China has such a hold on me,” she said.
The ‘post-Renaissance obsession’ with clinical accuracies has always seemed rather irrelevant to Chloe.
“It’s story-telling, vibrant colours and patterns which excite me most and I think that this is obvious when one looks at the sort of painting I produce.”
Recent visits to China, Taiwan and Tunisia particularly stimulated the artist in Chloe.
In the afternoons when it was too hot to go out, she painted the amazing scenes she had witnessed whilst out and about among the locals. When she was home in Wales again, Chloe was still inspired by the spectacular scenery.
“I paint the rugged and subtle beauty of Wales with an emphasis on the sort of cheerful, bright and happy art that I like to live with at home. There’s usually a tale told in the painting as well,” Chloe commented.
The artist is also a member of the Ceredigion Art Trail. Talking about it, she said: “This is a great organisation which lists artists and makers in Ceredigion and its borders that are open during the summer so the general public can see local artists work and visit their studios.
“The Art Trail is now a firm favourite summer holiday activity and is also an invaluable directory of local artists and makers all year round.”
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