Information by Zoe Bennet and translation by Iestyn Knox
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Having grown up in Dartmoor, Devon, my love of the natural environment has always been central to my practice as a landscape painter, which has only developed since I came to Aberystwyth University to study Fine Art and Art History. My work revolves around the familiarity and sense of place of the local area.
Many of my paintings are completed en plein air (on location), while others are informed by my sketches taken while exploring the local area then worked on retrospectively in my studio. This allows me to respond to the natural forms and changing conditions of the environment. I work quickly to capture this in my acrylic paintings through the random application of flicking paint onto the surface of the support, this builds up layers of detail to provide a sense of movement, colour and light. My most recent body of work, as featured, was created on my recent opportunity as artist in residence at the Mawddach Residency in North Wales, which provided an incredible opportunity to dedicate my time to exploring my practice surrounded by the stunning scenery, providing a wealth of inspiration. I will be carrying this location study with me forward into the semester and will be forever grateful for the experience that the residency has provided me.
Arlunydd dan sylw- Zoe Bennett
Gan fy mod wedi tyfu lan yn Dartmoor, Devon, mae fy nghariad o’r byd naturiol wedi bod yn ganolog i'm ymarfer fel arlunydd tirlun sydd ond wedi datblygu ers i mi ddod i Brifysgol Aberystwyth i astudio Celfyddyd Gain a Hanes Celf. Mae fy ngwaith yn ymwneud â chynefindra ac ymdeimlad o le yn yr ardal leol.
Mae llawer o'm paentiadau wedi'u cwblhau'n en plein air (ar leoliad), tra bod eraill yn cael eu llywio gan fy mrasluniau a dynnwyd yn archwilio'r ardal leol ac yna'n gweithio arnynt yn ôl-weithredol yn fy stiwdio. Mae hyn yn fy ngalluogi i ymateb i ffurfiau naturiol ac amodau newidiol yr amgylchedd. Rwy'n gweithio'n gyflym i ddal hyn yn fy mhaentiadau acrylig trwy ddefnyddio paent fflicio ar hap ar wyneb y gefnogaeth, mae hyn yn adeiladu haenau o fanylion i ddarparu ymdeimlad o symudiad, lliw a golau. Crëwyd fy nghorff diweddaraf o waith, fel y dangoswyd, ar fy nghyfle diweddar fel arlunydd preswyl ym Mhreswyl Mawddach yng Ngogledd Cymru, a roddodd gyfle anhygoel i roi fy amser i archwilio fy ymarfer wedi’i amgylchynu gan y golygfeydd godidog, gan ddarparu ysbrydoliaeth enfawr. Byddaf yn cario'r astudiaeth leoliad hon gyda mi ymlaen i'r semester a byddaf yn ddiolchgar am byth am y profiad y rhoddwyd i mi gan y cyfnod preswyl.