SO BAROQUÉ
So Baroqué
More than just a visual exploration of an artistic period, "So Baroqué" is a complex tapestry of emotions, experiences, and influences that have shaped both my art and my life. My upbringing was humble, to say the least, a far cry from the extravagance of the Baroque period; we were "b’roke." Life was tough, yet amidst the hardships, there were moments of joy. Our mother took us to art galleries, museums, op shops, and antique stores, teaching us how to search for the beauty in life and cast sunshine over difficult times.
Intertwining the grandeur of Baroque aesthetics with the understated beauty found in the most unexpected corners, "So Baroqué" is an intricate interplay between art history and personal experiences, celebrating a period that revolutionised the history of floral painting, elevating their status from decorative elements to powerful symbols of life, beauty, and mortality.
- LLEWELLYN SKYE
An exquisite collection of expressive artworks filled with emotion, decadence and nostalgia, Skye ties her deep connection to the Baroque period and her humble upbringing. Living through her art, Skye's practice spills beyond her canvasses to teaching, inspiring other artists to find beauty in chaos.
- LETHBRIDGE GALLERY
Having seen and discussed the works for this show, I think they're Skye's best yet.
- PENNYLANE SHEN
Gallery Statements
LOTS OF FLOWERS IN A PAINTING | STILL LIFE REIMAGINED
With florals serving a constant source of inspiration for Skye, Lots of Flowers in a Painting is a celebration of Abraham Brueghel's still life paintings. Through emotive and deliberate brushwork, Skye exaggerates movement and dynamism in Brueghel's Roses, Jasmine, primroses and other Flowers in an Urn on a Stone Ledge. Here, Skye uses oil, acrylic and oil stick to capture the essence of the flowers' gesture and form, breathing new life into a traditional genre
Gallery Statements
APOLLO AND DAPHNE'S GARDEN | A TALE OF UNREQUITED LOVE
In Apollo and Daphne's Garden, abstracted florals pay homage to Bernini's sculpture "Apollo and Daphne," capturing the essence of their story of unrequited love. Through dynamic forms and subtle hues, Skye's painting explores the tension between pursuit and escape echoing the metamorphosis of Daphne into a laurel Tree. Vibrant yet fleeting, it is a poignant reflection on the transience of desire and the resilience of the human spirit.
Gallery Statements
DRIPPING IN GOLD | CELEBRATING ABUNDANCE
Dripping in Gold seamlessly blends the opulence of the Baroque era with floral abstraction, creating a fusion of history and imagination. Gold tones cascade across the canvas, evoking lavish ornamentation and celebrating abundance. Decadent pink florals unfold with vibrant, contrasting colour and graceful form. This work commands attention as a majestic statement piece, blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy.
