Three Isle of Wight artists will showcase their diverse creative practices at The Gallery, Quarr Abbey, from 27th November to 2nd December 2025.
The exhibition brings together the work of mosaic artist and printer Helen Goodman, marine painter Martin Swan, and mixed-media artist Melanie Swan.
Childhood memories inspire Helen’s prints
Helen Goodman will present a collection of original lino-cut prints featuring the circus, the funfair and the seaside, alongside two large-scale mosaics depicting Island scenes.
Helen explains,
“My latest collection of lino-cut prints was inspired by a happy childhood here in Binstead.
“It also features my recent experiences of the Goose Fair in Nottingham and the movement of the rides and coloured lights in the funfair.”
Marine artist explores palette paintings
Martin Swan, a member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, will display a selection of watercolour and oil paintings covering various subjects, mainly marine and landscape, but also including some abstracts.
The exhibition will also feature prints and cards derived from his paintings.
Martin says,
“I’m basically a representational painter, painting more or less what I see, albeit with tweaks – reality can sometimes be improved on.
“But I also enjoy painting abstracts – colours and shapes with no objective reference.”
He describes his current focus as palette paintings, where he moves paint left over on the palette after painting boats on the sea around with a palette knife or trowel, creating complex textures and colour mixes.
Ancient processes inform Melanie’s work
Melanie Swan will show charcoal and pastel drawings and textiles, with a selection from her “Small Studio” collection of original, collectable work designed for small spaces, including collage and screenprint.
Melanie reveals,
“I make my own paints and inks, following ancient and historical processes.
“Originally, a painter in egg tempera, I also work with textiles, making my own dyes from plants I gather myself.”
Her recent installation ‘Fade’, dyed from plants she foraged herself, recently featured in a London exhibition.
Exhibition details
The exhibition runs from Thursday 27th November to Tuesday 2nd December at The Gallery, Quarr Abbey, near Ryde.
The gallery opens daily from 10am to 4pm. Entrance is free.
Visitors will find free parking and wheelchair access available at the venue.
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