An exhibition by artist Heidi Palmer is showing at the Jessie Edwards Gallery from June 26 – July 8. ‘Island Observations’ asks us to be present to the little gems in life and to the seemingly small, every day occurrences which make up our days here. In these latest works, Palmer is focusing on anecdotal observations of the smaller things which fill us with joy and bring a sense of significance to our lives.
Those familiar with Palmer’s work know she paints with precision. Her unique views on every day life have captured an essence which are felt deeply. She paints ordinary objects which make us feel like we are in the room. Her work over the past few years has very much been about inside scenes looking out. This recent exhibition, though, is much more about being on the outside. It’s like the years of the pandemic and isolation and living indoors, dreaming about the outdoors and our old life, has given way to us moving beyond our walls and stepping back out into this world, and the landscape of this place, we hold dear.
In this exhibition the artist uses two different mediums: oil painting and monoprinting. With painting, the artist has more control and follows steps to create the image and ultimately, the painting. With monoprinting, the process is quick and spontaneous. The artist is never quite sure what will show up. In these latest works, she shares with us seven oil paintings in her iconic style, as well as five monoprints which are familiar enough that they could portray places we have been on the island. Through Palmer’s eyes, we are treated to contrasts: light and dark; inside and outside; real and imagined. She uses the way light plays on the landscape or interior to remind us of the meaning of time and just how magical certain times of day can be in the spaces we inhabit.
‘Remote Access’ feels like an early summers’ day. The way Palmer uses light to come through the windows feels so hopeful. We have journeyed from afar to drive down this road, in this place, to our island home which waits for us to unpack and leave the doing behind so we can start being here now, in the present.
The monoprint ‘Near the Cut’ elicits such a summer feel it’s like we are in the print, walking down to the cut, to fish or swim or clam or just hang out on the beach, watching the day and tides and boats pass by.
The only painting of the inside looking out in this exhibition is ‘Morning Coffee”, an oil on canvas work (18 x 14”) which truly reminds us of the simple pleasures: a chair, a view and a cup of fresh, hot coffee with all the time of the new day to enjoy the presence of this place and dream about what else will unfold.
‘Great View’ is perhaps the only painting in this show which is of an exact place we all know. While Palmer tends to stay away these days from painting the iconic scenes of the island, this one feels different. It’s beckoning us to come away from the crowded lawn and the noise that goes along with summer on Block Island, to sit in this quintessential chair to take in the quiet and calm of the view. It is asking us to turn our backs to the chaos so we can sit and ponder in peace.
Another summer activity which is on most peoples to do list is clamming. It is a simple pleasure that incorporates all our senses. In the aptly named ‘Clamming’, an 11 x 14” monoprint, we are in the pond heading towards evening and a glowing sunset as we harvest what will hopefully be dinner. We are reminded of our deep connection to the bounty of this place we love.
Please join us at the Gallery upstairs in the iconic Post Office Building in Old Harbor or online to view this beautiful collection of the everyday experiences we all so love and enjoy on Block Island. We are open every day (except Tuesdays) from 10am – 5pm and by appointment at other times. For more information, please call 401 466 5314.