Emma shares details of this new exhibition at the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Ed
Bembridge artist, Georgie Donnelly, HND [Fine Arts] and photographer, Emma Myrtle are joining together for an exciting exhibition being held in Earl Mountbatten Hospice’s Art Gallery throughout August.
Their mutual love of colour, simplicity and energy makes this an interesting partnership for an exhibition.
Georgie Donnelly
Georgie was born in South Africa but has lived in Paris, New York, Vienna and London as well as on the Island for the past 30 years.
She is very influenced by her love of light and colour: what she calls ‘a congenital hangover’ from her African upbringing and living right 
next to the ever-changing sea, in a house bathed in light, has evolved her outlook on both her colour choices and subject matter in her paintings and in her vivid glazes on her ceramic sculptures.
Here she can bathe in brilliant, even harsh light and the glory of the big sky. She says the whole English Channel is her front garden occupied from time to time by distant ships, fishermen and sail boats.
The paintings, semi-abstract land and seascapes, and drawings are energetic, gestural works made with a spontaneity and sense of colour that draws the viewer into the piece. Donnelly calls them her ‘half-remembered’ landscapes influenced by memories collected over years of travel and contemplation.
Inspiration is drawn from many artists but probably the most important ones are the Impressionists: Monet, Cezanne, Matisse and Cocteau and loves Barbara Rae for her powerful palette and abstract landscapes. But whatever you look at leaves a faint footprint behind in your creative brain ready for later use.
When asked why the choice of Earl Mountbatten Hospice to exhibit her paintings, Georgie said that raising money for the hospice is a cause very close to her heart as her husband, Peter, also an Island artist, spent the last ten days of his life in the gentle care of a hospice and it made the painful process of watching a beloved husband and father die infinitely easier.
Emma Myrtle
Emma is a well-known photographer who rejoices in the accolade of being not only a fine portrait maker, but also an intrepid action woman! She travels worldwide to capture the ultimate shot whether it is a gentle picture of a nude or a skydiver leaping out of an aircraft. Perhaps being Bear Grylls’ cousin has inured her to danger.
There is an unforced, natural ‘just-happened-to-be-there-and-took-a-brilliant-shot’ quality to her photos. This time, Emma is mostly showing her ‘people’ work.
She said:
“I love photographing nudes as I want to show people that ‘every body’ is normal and beautiful. I never change the shape of somebody or photoshop them. I hate the fact that society has put such pressure on people to be perfect, with everything in the press being retouched to not be real. And plastic surgery is increasing. I truly believe that if you are happy within yourself, you shine out beautifully.”
Her straightforward approach and easy manner with her subjects creates a relaxed atmosphere which makes the photo sessions a pleasure for both the subject and the photographer. Today, she has dumped her kit after a long trip to Australia, had a strong cup of coffee and rushed off to photograph 60 children!
Emma has a sharp eye for detail and an ability and speed to take such tremendous photos that you feel a spontaneous drama in each shot. You are in the photo with her and so they are unforgettable. Emma’s work has been chosen for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and has sold very well.
The joint exhibition runs daily, 10am-5pm from Thursday, August 4th and closes on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29th.
