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18 march 2024, Flor Linckens

Last chance: the vibrant landscapes of Spencer Shakespeare

Spencer Shakespeare, red kite revival, 2024, KERSGALLERY

Until 31 March, KERSGALLERY in Amsterdam is presenting a solo exhibition by Spencer Shakespeare. The works of the British artist prominently feature nature and his pieces are a vivid and semi-abstract interpretation of landscapes. Furthermore, his energetic works are marked by a striking and non-naturalistic use of colour.

Spencer Shakespeare was born in London in 1967 and spent his childhood in the countryside of Essex. But his annual family vacations to Cornwall in particular left a lasting impression on him. As a child, Shakespeare was an avid drawer, so specialising in natural history illustration at the Bournemouth College of Art and Design seemed like a natural next step. After living on the other side of the world, on Australia's Gold Coast, for twenty years, he moved to Cornwall.

Spencer Shakespeare, no title, 2023, KERSGALLERY

Despite their often vibrant colours, Shakespeare's painted worlds also exude a certain tranquility. As the title of the exhibition — 'sanctuary' — suggests, they collectively form a harmonious haven. Birds are also an important source of inspiration for Shakespeare, and the area around the Tamar Valley where he lives is, according to the artist, home to exceptional bird species. The painter is also fascinated by transitional areas, such as the edge of a forest or the place where the sea meets the coast. These are places marked by a contrast between the cultivated and the wild natural world. Shakespeare subsequently lets his imagination run free, while introducing elements of expressionism and a degree of abstraction, always in search of a hint of mystery or magic. This is also reflected in the traces of Cornwall's folklore and mythology that find their way onto his canvases.

Shakespeare's studio in Cornwall is situated in a seemingly timeless landscape: nestled in a valley between moors, with a view of ancient rock formations. In an interview with The Weekend Edition Australia, the artist said: "I’m very seduced by nature and it’s natural strength. You know, the things that will still be there if we do F up the planet one day!" However, it is not so much the large, impressive landscapes that move him most, but rather the smaller details, the flora and fauna that seem unaware of human interference. For instance, the pink in his paintings often reflects the so-called 'sea thrift,' a pink species of flower from the plumbaginaceae family that grows along the coastline of Cornwall.

Spencer Shakespeare, Messengers AKA Familiar Spirits, 2021, KERSGALLERY

For his practice, Shakespeare employs a diverse range of materials, including acrylic oil pastels, found leaves, sand and graphite, as well as traditional acrylic and oil paints. His works are often of an extraordinary size; one of the pieces currently on display at KERSGALLERY measures a substantial 220 by 660 centimeters. In 2021, Shakespeare completed a residency at Porthmeor Studio in St. Ives, located next to Tate St. Ives.

The exhibition 'Sanctuary' by Spencer Shakespeare will be on view at KERSGALLERY in Amsterdam until 31 March 2024. The gallery is open on Saturdays and by appointment on other days.

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Flor Linckens

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18 march 2024, Flor Linckens

Last chance: the vibrant landscapes of Spencer Shakespeare

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