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Natural
Colours
Until
21st November at The Randolph Hotel
If
youre looking for a bit of time out from hectic Oxford, then
visit Owen Middletons Natural Colours exhibition at the
Randolph. This tranquil room filled with evocative photographs of
South and Central America is the perfect ecapist experience. Ancient
Skies, Palm Dusk, Desert Colours - why, even the titles are straight
out of Enya...
I
was greeted by a wonderful and rather surreal toucan eying me with
a piercing blue eye from above its bright yellow beak. The simple
primary colours of the bird are startlingly captured, and convey the
stunning vividity of nature that is rarely reproduced by any simulated
image. These appealing primary tones continue throughout the series
of photographs, the artist reducing the image down to the basic form
and thus capturing its intricacy.
Banana
Leaves is a striking bright green, so close to the leaves that the
image is transformed into something other than a leaf on a tree, and
becomes a phenomenon of incredible detail and rather strange independence.
Crystal Water Swirl is a peaceful bluey-green and combines
a calming serenity with the impression of constant natural motion.
Sunset Gull, taken when Middleton was only sixteen, shows the
solitary bird set against its immense habitat, while Ancient Skies
sets man against the backround of a vast natural landscape. All emphasise
the complex play of light and shadow upon a simple image, and again
juxtapose the tremendous proportions of nature with its astonishing
delicacy.
Other
photographs concentrate on landscapes that stretch into the distance
in the dusk or the dawn, picking up a time of day or night and playing
with the effects of light and shade and contrast. On each work is
a quotation from Gibrans The Prophet, which not only
makes each very personal, but also matches the spirit of this artists
thoughtful work.
This
small exhibition is both cheerful and soothing. It wont take
up much of your time, and youll leave feeling refreshed. And
what a wonderful toucan....
Jane
Labous, November
1999
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