New graduates - with an eternal presence

"For every locomotive they build," vowed pre-Raphaelite painter Edward Burne-Jones, "I shall paint another angel." In spite of the diversity of sources made available in the digital age, still the eternal presence of the elemental structures: earth, wind, fire, and water, continues to muster the creative urge from so many of today's art graduates.

Lewis Matheson, like many other great artists, turns to the landscape of the Scottish Highlands to create abstract photographic images; Amy Dix uses water as both her medium and subject, a device with which to explore the depths and dimensions of femininity; Wimbledon graduate Dike Wu celebrates the humility of our basic needs: water, shelter, a good drystone wall; another Wimbledon grad, Daimi Kim, re-imagines the invisible side of the natural world making it visible.

Even when painting in the urban environment, Jasmir Creed is able to ponder our (albeit altered) relationship with the elements. And more generally Kim McElhinney is engrossed by the spontaneous fractal symmetries that are inherent in nature, her scientific inspiration produces wonderfully complex abstract roundels.

Be it in abstract, figurative, expressionist or impressionist terms, this continued connection between nature and the arts inspires me, fills me with optimism, and never fails to show new ways of seeing.

Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in any way.