Feature Articles

October Issue 2002

USC-Beaufort Art Gallery in Beaufort, SC, Features Works by Lynne Riding

Lynne Riding's exhibit Pritchards - A Barrier Island, will be at the USC-Beaufort Art Gallery, inside theUSC-Beaufort Performing Arts Center in Beaufort, SC, from Oct. 14 through Nov. 19, 2002.

Known as a printmaker, draughtsman, painter and teacher, Riding has moved continually in and out of forms: painting, drawing and printmaking, at times combining these and using whatever it takes to project her ideas. On occasion she adds collage, a drawing or a print to a painting. Her work moves between the figure and the landscape, sometimes encompassing both.

Riding says, "This work with which I am currently absorbed, is an ongoing development from drawn and painted studies made on the SC barrier island, Pritchards Island." The land/seascape of Pritchards Island made a tremendous and lasting impression on Riding. While on the island she completed smaller scale paintings (gouache) and drawings, making studies for later reference. The large pieces of work seen in the exhibit were completed in the studio and consist of monoprints, etchings, drawings and paintings.

Riding is concerned with the erosion on the windward side of the island and the resulting strong forms produced, contrasting with the atmosphere and beauty of the place as in the colors which are so muted and hazy. The tree limbs suggest strong, lean and sensual human form.

Riding enjoys working in an intuitive and spontaneous fashion, her aim is to maintain some spirit in line or paint, but also to convey a true atmosphere and a pure reaction to the subject she is working from. It is her belief that gestural integrity and emotional power are tied together and the result has been to move into larger pieces of work.

The senses on Pritchards Island are moving constantly, they are not stationary. They blend, combine and recombine, shifting positions and transforming contexts. Instead of making literal studies, Riding is engrossed with trying to instill more passion and feeling, more expression into each piece.

She says, "My work with the figure and the landscape is based on notions of the body and the physical world, i.e., what is the relation between my physical body and the landscape or space I may be inhabiting? Is the physical present or absent in these landscapes? Is this reminiscent or suggestive?" Riding believes that she reacts to each piece subconsciously concerning tensions felt when conceiving and developing the work. There is tension as to whether the work requires a figural presence or not.

A significant and rewarding part of Riding's life is her work as an adjunct professor of studio art at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. In addition, she has completed many large scale paintings for various clients in the Charleston area, both downtown and out on the islands.

Riding has lived in Charleston for the past ten years and is a native of the British Isles. A love of landscape was instilled in her while growing up surrounded by the beautiful countryside of Mid Wales.

For more information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings or call the gallery at 843/521-4144.

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