David Maddrell

An exhibition of prints from my Artists Book ‘Carpet Pages‘ will take place at the Sayle Gallery, 11th March—3rd April.

On the face of it nothing could be further from my earlier depictions of the Manx landscape  than these collage and print explorations. However the attention to detail and texture is still very much apparent, so too are the finely tuned compositional elements and jewel like colours of my previous work.

The title references the intricately constructed and beautifully decorated carpet pages found in illuminated manuscripts. These pages contain little or no text. An intense all over patterning fills the entire space combining imagery with colour. The colour ranges from fully saturated bold areas to finely rendered subtle shading. The embellishment of gold leaf gilding is often incorporated. Carpet pages are intentionally an intoxicating experience for the viewer.

Although this artistic expression is new for me, a clear parallel can be drawn between the illuminated manuscript carpet pages and another medieval artistic medium which I have previously used – stained glass. My stained glass pieces shared a similar use of colour within  bold graphic designs.

This exhibition could be seen as a radical departure from my more usual landscape work and in many ways that is true. However this is less a departure than an excursion which will lead to a refreshed approach to my more traditional land and seascape subjects.

The carpet page structure and patterning evolved through my working process. A rich layered tapestry emerged evoking the memory of traditional carpet pages, though here the imagery is childlike and playful. Overall a positive, optimistic light prevails but this is at times interwoven with dark passages familiar to all lovers of folk lore and fairy tales.

These highly embellished pages are bound into a hand stitched book using traditional book binding methods. To create the book I combined many different painting and printing techniques including screen printing, collage, rubber stamping and stenciling.

The ‘Carpet Pages’ book will be on display while the main body of the exhibition consists of framed images, each a double page spread from the book. These are available as limited edition prints.

A soundtrack directly inspired by the art work has been created by local musician Buggane of Ballagroove Records. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to listen to this kindred work whilst viewing the carpet page prints.

A CD of the Carpet Pages soundtrack entitled ‘Buggane’s Cronnane’ will be released through Ballagroove Records. The initial release will have Carpet Page cover artwork and will be a limited edition run of 100 copies.

Sayle Gallery, Villa Marina Promenade, Douglas
Open Mon-Sat 10-5 pm, Sundays & Bank Holidays 1:30-4:30pm
Tel: 01624 674 557

www.saylegallery.com
www.ballagroove.com

All the Monotypes to date are now easy to browse in the new gallery which has been added. Check it out under “Gallery” in the navigate section on the right.

The 30 images in the monotype news posts have also been updated. Large pop up images appear by clicking on the thumbnails of each post. This gives a good idea of the quality and detail captured in the original prints.

Taking this one step further please find a close up detail from one of the prints below.

Bridge After Heavy Rain, Ballaglass Glen (Detail)

“Waterway, Glen Maye”

Monotype 1/1. Image size 400x400mm.

A little dark moss softens the stark rock and gives a strong contrast to help contain the S-shaped flow of snow white icy waters. Without the foliage of shady, water loving plants this stripped back scene of virtually bare rock and fierce flowing water has a flattened perspective; an almost Chinese traditional landscape painting feel.

Status – Available

Price – £495

“Waterfall Pool, Glen Maye 1″

Monotype 1/1. Image size 400x400mm.

A broad view of the main waterfall at Glen Maye. Light, water, vegetation and rock all contribute to the rhythm of the scene, all flowing down to finish with a flourish in the crystal clear cool waters of the pool below. The “flow” of the rock is as apparent as that of the water itself.

Status – SOLD

“Waterfall, Glen Maye 1″

Monotype 1/1. Image size 400x400mm.

The central oval of light shining through the cliffs dark cut, sun grazed shoulders tumble amongst wet blackness. Flowing, flaring downward as if illuminated from within the falls glow white.

Status – SOLD

“Waterfall, Glen Maye 2″

Monotype 1/1. Image size 400x400mm.

The sunlit sloping smooth cliff-face echoes the shape of the waterfalls cascade. Hearts tongue ferns flourish a foot from the cataracts pouring power. A tousle topped abutment muscles in on the right, helping to create the waterfalls pooling at the base of cool shadowed cliffs.

Status – SOLD

“Waterfall, Ballaglass Glen”

Monotype 1/1. Image size 400x400mm.

The land abundantly relinquishing run off water after a down pour. Aerial roots, ferns and branches hang bedraggled since being caught in the mighty deluge. A buffeting cascade of water zigzags the short distance toward the open pool below. It casts a light onto the under-cliff as it goes, illuminating the few remaining leaves.

Status – SOLD

“Waterfall Pool, Glen Maye 2″

Monotype 1/1. Image size 400x400mm.

Vertical banded but for the jutting stone point so sharply defined against the cascade. Water turning from white light into mercurial aeration, wed to the inky depths of shadow cast down by lush black wet rock.

Status – SOLD

“Waterfall Caught Branch, Glen Maye”

Monotype 1/1. Image size 400x400mm.

The black bedrock on the left carved by the passage of turned white water, punctured by a single triangle of rock. A branch is caught by this “fang” causing the water to froth and cascade into the deeper pool beyond.

Status – Available

Price – £595

“Trees, Bishops Court Glen”

Monotype 1/1. Image size 400x400mm.

Giving an appearance of eruption from the dappled forest floor, hundreds of stems sprout from the root crowns at the base of these towering trees. Branches arc over creating a vista between the great trunks, a vista curtailed by being brimful of dazzling foliage.

Status – SOLD