AN INNER VIEW WITHIN THE MIND'S EYE

 

By: Marco Brown

 

 

The latest stunning collection of over 50 works

by cosmopolitan South African born artist Laura Witkin

is to be seen at the 'On The Lake' Agam Gallery in Raanana, Israel.

The exhibition, organized by prominent Israeli curator Guy Olami

marks the artist's grand return to the public exhibition scene

after a few years absence and what a comeback indeed

with the spectacular 'INNER VIEW', a festival of exquisite colors,

an emotional world of Zen-like reverie which floats between

tranquil inner serenity and frivolous fantasy !

 

Witkin is certainly no stranger to the arts scene

although this latest exhibition, already highly acclaimed

since its recent opening by the mayor of the city, Nahum Hofree,

does indeed mark her first major public appearance on the competitive Israeli platform.

Witkin is no ordinary artist and she is sure to leave her mark as she has elsewhere.

 

Having completed her studies in the United Kingdom

which resulted in an MA at the Royal College of Art,

Witkin was to become a teacher on the foundation course

at the Chelsea School of Art.

Her art projects gained immediate attention

and further to a highly acclaimed string of exhibitions in London

throughout the eighties she was also commissioned for

greetings cards and wrapping paper and stationery by Roger L'Abord

and renowned design consultants Clinton Smith.

The versatile artist also branched out into window design

and was specially chosen to create six window panels for displays

at top international designer Issey Miyake's  boutique in Knightsbridge.

 

The impressive portfolio continues with textile designs

sold to the Designer's Guild, panel backdrops for exercise and meditation videos,

countless illustrations for book covers and a long list of magazine articles

from Marie Claire to New Woman and The Sunday Times.

Following her family relocation to Israel, Witkin was soon approached

to design the new CD cover for popular Israeli singer Giddy Gove

who was struck by her soothing colorful tones.

Incidentally, Gove is not the only recording artist

to have been taken by the painted charms of Witkin's universe.

Further to regular private buyers in Europe and South Africa,

Witkin also counts international pop star Sting as one of her clients.

 

Seeing Witkin's works is a great feast for the eyes and an absolute must

if you delight in original top quality visual poetry!

After only a few minutes it becomes crystal clear

why there has been a constant interest in her work throughout the world so far.

In pride of place is Witkin's latest piece entitled

'Silver Chamsa' ( a traditional Israeli good luck charm ),

which she painted to bring a few extra positive vibes to her exhibition as a whole

and that it does as emotion and positivity radiates around the room,

reflecting from one painting to another.

To quote the artist herself:

'life is a mirror which looks back at you'

and that seems to be the essential theme throughout the exhibition,

a vivid tribute to the simple joys of the world around us

as seen through the mind's eye.

 

Like the artist herself the paintings exude a sense of

genuine honesty and warm approachability

without pretention and as one strolls from painting to painting,

the viewer feels calm and meditative bliss.

Essentially Witkin is a gifted and imaginative colourist

with a sharp eye for primary tones, form and movement.

Her forms blend together in perfect harmony as peaceful hues interact together,

gracing her canvas with images of sublime exoticism,

an insight into her wonderful world of global mind eye travel

and captured emotions stardusted with sultry, earthy oranges and browns,

fiery and passionate reds, draped in ethereal purples and blues

and often crowned by majestic gold's......

and even as a personal touch a scattering of real pebbles

to remind us of the natural beauties of Mother Earth.

 

The whole exhibition is full of whispers of a whole plethora of emotions,

an accessible universe of inner meditation and outward expression

as the viewer meets angels, which, like pristine, virgin brides wait patiently

beside watchful Buddha's, alongside frivolous mythological creatures

which roam side by side with real animals from the world as we know it

and all of this diversity with great panache.

Enjoying this unique experience, which has to be seen to be believed, is a must !

 

'INNER VIEW' is on display at the 'On The Lake Gallery', Raanana

until the 15th of November.