Author: charlotte.iggulden

This was one of my oil painting studies in 2005, part of my art project which explored cultural identity and the intellectual legacy of indigenous cultures, as well as ‘non-western’ cultural traditions.

Painted on A3 cartridge paper (in very small brushes!), it depicts ‘Eun Ju’, after artist Andrew Tift’s ‘Alexander and Eun Ju.’

The original portrait took on new significance for me as it was Tift’s subjective take on Jan Van Eyck’s Arnolfini marriage, painted in 1422-4. Filled with symbolism, it shows both the unifying, protection and preservation of cultures, something of interest to me with my own cultural background.

Eun Ju wears a hanbok, perhaps to sustain Korean tradition. Along with language, religion and cultural patterns such as dance, food, housing and aesthetics, apparel plays a vital role in the preservation and expression of cultural identity.

My school entered my art project, titled ‘Vanishing Cultures’ into the Surrey Art Award, and I’m delighted to say it won first place.

I had begun selling my paintings to my teachers a few years before this, but around this time I began portrait commissions that continued to this day.

Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. These are work in progress oil paintings of a Mayan king and warrior, inspired by Mel Gibson’s film Apocalypto.

The Guardian Building, Detroit

Housing the Bank of America offices, The Guardian Building is a beautiful1920s Aztec inspired Art Deco skyscraper in Detroit, Michigan. The Guardian was designated a National Historic Landmark in June 1989.

The Fisher Building, Detroit

Located a few minutes’ drive from The Guardian Building, The Fisher Building boasts magnificent marble exterior, hand-painted, barrel-vaulted ceiling, mosaics, and bronze detailing and a Mayan-themed original interior inside the Fisher Theatre. Designed by architect Albert Kahn in the 1920s, this Art Deco skyscraper has been recognised as “Detroit’s Largest Art Object” and is a tribute to the American work ethic and to American artisans.

Indian Heritage Center, Michigan

In October last year, I was able to visit the Indian Heritage Center in Michigan, which showcased murals and handcrafted jewellery by local Native American artisans.

I was inspired to create this imagined scene of bluebells, ancient woodland, and a Giant Redwood tree in the early morning for the Art & Mind Dinner and Art Auction at Kensington Palace, held in memory of artist Darren Baker’s sister and in support of good mental health.

The sale of my painting contributed to the fantastic amount raised on the night for The Leanne Baker Trust and Movember, helping the charities to continue to nurture men and women’s mental health, and to prevent suicide.

My oil painting was auctioned alongside original artwork by Banksy, Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, HRH Prince of Wales, Nelson Mandela and David Hockney amongst others, including my fellow Art London Dubai artists.

Amidst the ever-changing pace of modern life, it is more important than ever to communicate and to find a deeper sense of meaning, peace and tranquility.

I believe that peaceful scenes of nature can greatly benefit the viewer’s wellbeing and good mental health. Spending time in nature and God’s creation can positively impact mental health and wellbeing, such as contemplating the beauty and symbolism of a redwood tree quietly growing, surviving and flourishing for over two thousand years.

This original piece shows a peaceful scene of ancient bluebell woods at early morning, with a giant redwood tree in the foreground to represent being deeply rooted and connected to nature. A beautiful woodland has been largely left to grow wild in an area in our garden and these delightful wildflowers have proliferated, creating an enchanting carpet of blue, white, and purple each year.

I wanted to incorporate the symbolic use of light and meaningful landscape painting that was similarly harnessed by the Hudson River School artists, whose vision was inspired by contemporary German and British Romanticism, the sense of the sublime, and God’s glory, which I believe is everpresent in our surroundings and every sunrise and sunset.

I hope the new owners are deriving much pleasure from my painting

I attended the V&A’s Digital Design weekend recently, experiencing the intersection between art, design and technology.

A few highlights included using Humanhood’s augmented reality to dance in the multiverse as well as meeting Jacqui Ramrayka, the V&A’s ceramics artist in residence, who is focusing on the significance of objects and memory to the Indo-Carribbean diaspora.

On 28 September, I explored the often humorous, daring and thought provoking modern and contemporary artworks at the British Art Fair, held at the Saatchi Gallery, before heading to the National Army Museum for an exciting collaboration..

Stay tuned for news on the collaboration!

I enjoyed an inspiring few days in Greenwich in July, visiting the gloriously baroque Painted Hall, Royal Observatory and Maritime Museum.

The Painted Hall

Known as Britain’s ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’, the breathtaking Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College was designed in the early 18th century by  Sir James Thornhill. Spanning more than 3,700 square metres, the baroque mural depicts 200 figures including kings, queens and mythological creatures. It’s worth listening to the audio to discern the various symbolic elements and the people portrayed.

It was intended to be a glorious monument to Britain’s naval power, political stability and commercial prosperity as well as the Protestant accessions to the throne of King William III and Queen Mary II in 1688 and George I in 1714.

James spent 19 years planning the painting and was the first English artist to be knighted in 1720 by George I.

Fun fact: The hall has featured in a few films, including Pirates of the Caribbean!

You might also be interested in visiting visual artist Luke Jerram’s ‘Mars’ installation at the Painted Hall this winter.

The Royal Observatory

For those that love cartography, as well as astronomical, longitudinal and timekeeping devices, particularly during Europe’s exploration of the seas, the Royal Observatory is a must visit. Make sure you stand on The Meridian Line, which is the reference point for Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

National Maritime Museum

You can easily get lost in the National Maritime Museum while discovering the Tudors and Stuart seafarers, pacific encounters, Atlantic and polar worlds. Nelson’s jacket is also on display!

The museum is also home to beautiful stained glass from the Baltic Exchange building, which was severely damaged by a terrorist bomb on 10th April 1992. John Dudley Forsyth was commissioned to design the stained glass windows after the First World War, unveiling the windows in 1922. 

It was an incredibly memorable week at Henley Royal Regatta in July this year; the sporadic rain showers didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits and the day was one of celebration, with Sir Steve Redgrave and Prince Albert II of Monaco presenting the trophies.

I’m also absolutely delighted to have sold two of my oil paintings at the Art Gallery within the Stewards’ Enclosure and hope they bring a lifetime of joy to their owners.

It’s a wonderful event to participate in and to spectate, you never know who you might meet!

Stay tuned for more exciting news from Henley over the coming months…

I’m very happy to have donated and sold this little oil painting for the Sussex Wildlife Trust at last month’s Sussex Art Fair 🌿🍃🐭

I love the fact it was a family decision, with the little girl and boy picking it out from the artworks available.

Visit the Trust’s website to find out how to support their work:

Welcome | Sussex Wildlife Trust

I’m delighted to reveal the three original oil paintings that I will be displaying for sale at Henley Royal Regatta’s Art Gallery this coming week from 2-7 July. The gallery is located within the Stewards’ Enclosure on the Berkshire side of the river and is open to Members and their Guests.

Each painting aims to evoke the timeless spirit of the event, the historic sport of rowing, and the colourful fashion.

For ‘Golden Hour at Henley’, I aimed to capture the warm pastel colours of the rowing blazers and boats, all bathed in golden hour on a sunny afternoon. I wanted to evoke a French Impressionist style and feeling.

I purposely left some of the linen canvas board exposed in this quick oil sketch, to lend contrast with the light emanating from the clouds and reflections in the water. The brown tones give the painting warmth as well as a period feel and reflect the wooden posts. I wanted to paint the rowers as if they were from any era.

I wanted to lend this scene a Caneletto feel, with the simple sky and expanse of water, drawing attention to the rowers, the riverside and the bridge providing a central point of interest.

About the Stewards’ Enclosure

[Extract from the website] Established in 1919, 80 years after the founding of Henley Regatta, the Stewards’ Enclosure was set up as a private members’ club to protect the future of the event and to provide an exclusive area for rowing supporters to enjoy the racing.

Competing at Henley Royal Regatta is considered to be a highlight in a rower’s career, and Membership of the Stewards’ Enclosure gives the best access to this prestigious event. The organisation is overseen by a self-electing body of Stewards, most of whom are renowned rowers, scullers, coaches or administrators.

Find out more.

I’m delighted to share the recently published Sussex Art Fair 2024 brochure, which features my oil painting of Polperro, Cornwall, on the front cover!

You can use the brochure to see who else is exhibiting as well as the floorplan – find me at stand 21 on May 10, 11 and 12.

Advance discounted tickets for Sussex Art Fair can now be purchased from our website. Come and meet 90 exhibitors with 3000+ original artworks available to add to your collections.

Starting at the ‘Preview Evening’ on Friday 10th May from 5.30pm until 8.30pm, come and be the first to view the works of the exhibiting artists along with a glass of fizz, before the event opens to the general public over the weekend on the 11th and 12th May. 

Opening hours:

Friday 10th May – Preview Evening – 5.30pm to 8.30pm
£10 Advance tickets online. £15 on the door
(Ticket includes complimentary fizz and unlimited weekend entry)

Saturday 11th May & Sunday 12th May – 11.00am to 5.00pm
£5 Advance tickets online – £7.50 on the door
(Free weekend entry for children under 16 and £5 weekend concessions on the door.
(Online tickets subject to Vat)

Address
Goodwood Racecourse
Selhurst Park Road
Chichester, UK
PO18 0PS

Prices of art start from as little as £50 for prints and smaller works to over £3,000 for outstanding masterpieces, so whether you are a collector or enthusiast, there will be something to suit every budget. The first floor café will be serving a selection of hot and cold food and drinks for visitors to make a day of it.

Plus, keep an eye out to see what I will be donating to the Sussex Wildlife Trust during the event…