EXHIBITION / 'Hello, sun in my face' at The Chapel, Jul-Sept 2021
Cornucopia (2021), pigmented plaster on fine gypsum board, 120 x 80cm
We are very excited to bring you our new exhibition of contemporary abstract fresco panels, opening THIS Thursday at The Chapel in Abergavenny (NP7 5SD) and running until the end of September. The exhibition is entitled “Hello, sun in my face.” Details below!
“Hello, sun in my face”
An Exhibition of 32 New Abstract Frescoes by Aster Muro
at The Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny
from Thursday 15th July - Thursday 30th September 2021
Tuesday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm.
Address: The Chapel, Market Street, Abergavenny. NP7 5SD.
Tel: 01873 852690 (Art Shop, open T-S, 10-5)
With the Hello Sun frescoes we wanted to celebrate summertime at its best, full of gratitude for the abundance, green, life and colour in the garden, the happiness the season brings - but also to capture a sense of re-opening and reconnecting - an unquashable and regenerative spirit. Our palette very much connects to the nature and colours of summertime - from bird eggs to flower petals, leaves, fruit and nuts. We were also inspired by the uplifting, poignant and eye-opening poetry of Mary Oliver and by Joan Mitchell and Matisse’s work, amongst others.
All of the Hello Sun frescoes will be available to buy from The Art Shop.
Tea at 4 (2021), pigmented plaster on board canvas, 160 x 140cm
After the Rain (2021), pigmented plaster on fine gypsum board, 120 x 80cm
The beginnings of ‘You Lift My Spirits’ (2021), working in The Chapel.
With a nod to the Mary Oliver poem, ‘Why I Wake Early,’ and the secluded courtyard garden outside The Chapel by Sarah Price, this new exhibition is a definite and colourful celebration of gardens, natural abundance, joy and reconnection in its myriad forms.
Painted in plaster, in a hand-mixed palette drawing on nature, with colours reminiscent of wall moss and dunnock’s eggs, albertine roses and cut grass, the frescoes assert joyfulness in a vibrant, light and expressive dance inspired broadly by foliage, flora, garden parties and high summer bounty.
Awakening, triptych (2021), pigmented plaster on board canvas, 363 x 145cm
Each fresco was created in an intense window of time, working with the setting pigmented plaster, using trowels, spatulas and blades, layering, stripping back and mark-making. Some strokes are broad and vigorous whilst others are gentle and comforting. There are lines, curves, and bursts of blossom, or splash-like, markings. Intriguing details, blends and layers can be found, and intangible, eternal landscapes are suggested.
The frescoes are being exhibited over 2 floors: in the contemplative environment upstairs in The Chapel, and downstairs in the amazing café space (which will also be open and serving). This 'living with art' in an every day space is something we are passionate about, and each of the two spaces gives the chance to be with the frescoes in different ways, amongst both quiet and bustle. The medium and smaller sized paintings came to life in our studio near Abergavenny whilst the larger pieces were actually created in The Chapel itself - it has made a rather spectacular studio!
The Hello Sun palette
Charles frescoing In the Studio
We can thoroughly recommend a visit to see the exhibition and explore Abergavenny, if you live further afield. You can stay at The Angel, visit the bakery, hike up The Sugar Loaf or Blorenge mountains and dine at the renowned Walnut Tree. Plus in September there is the famous food festival!
We will be putting a gallery of the exhibition up on our website at the end of the week and you will also be able to view the catalogue on The Art Shop & Chapel website from Thursday.
Enjoy!
Salut (2021), pigmented plaster on fine gypsum board, 120 x 80cm
““Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who made the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories...” ”
Hello Sun palette exploration and moodboarding in the studio