Rebecca Hossack Gallery is proud to present Barbara Macfarlane: Mapping, a solo show featuring works by British painter Barbara Macfarlane. Capturing the essence and drama of wide-open spaces, Macfarlane has become widely known for her abstract seascapes. Macfarlane’s newest body of work moves inland, playing with the perspective, interpretation and mapping of cities such as London, New York, and most recently, Paris. Referencing and manipulating styles of antique cartography, Macfarlane’s work injects energetic lines and vibrant bursts of color into her portrayals of early modern cityscapes.

In the summer of 2012, after having gained international renown for her unique landscape paintings, Macfarlane was selected to submit work for the group exhibition titled “Londinium,” at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery (London) in celebration of the Summer Olympics. For the show Macfarlane created three large paintings styled after a 16th century map by English cartographer, William Smith. Similar to Smith’s original, Macfarlane’s “map” depicted red roofs and church spires. Macfarlane’s continued interest in antique maps has resulted in a diverse body of work. From the geometric grids of Manhattan streets to the winding walkways of Paris come bright, imaginative abstractions – some close up profiles, others broad panoramas, each highlighted by playful stick-drawn ink lines and exposed swatches of handmade paper.

“Over the years I have developed my own language of marks, color and balance of empty spaces, to the point that I Instinctively know what is right,” says Macfarlane. “I use a limited number of colors, sometimes only two or three in each painting. I see my paintings as minimal statements which represent elements that I want to record. I want my large paintings to be as immediate and condensed as a small sketch or watercolor, eliminating detail, picking out the essential elements of line, shape, color, and space. I never rework my paintings; they have to work the first time.”

All images © Barbara Macfarlane, Courtesy Rebecca Hossack Gallery

Rebecca Hossack Gallery
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