EXHIBITION AT THE ART HUB IN PENZANCE

I was lucky enough this year to be invited to show at the Art Hub in Penzance. This is a very large and interesting space, which reminded me of the places where we showed our work at the time we were students in the early 1980s.

I saw this as an opportunity to exhibit my latest series of painting's, made over the last three years, after an unforgettable, and without sounding too dramatic, 'near death' experience. I was suddenly in a beautiful place full of colour and light and with the anticipation of going an exciting journey. I soon recovered and was working again, but found that it was this last experience that was dominant in my mind.

It was the start of a new series work, about 18 horizon paintings, only one of which has been out of the studio at last year's previous NSA show. There will also be some figurative work too, and a small film.

I would like to invite all my NSA friends. I will be in the gallery during all the opening times mentioned and of course at the PV, to which all of you would all be very welcome. Janet.

THE ART HUB. WHARF ROAD. PENZANCE. TR18 2GB.

4-14 NOVEMBER 2025 – TUESDAY TO FRIDAY, NOON TO 4PM.

PRIVATE VIEW 5 NOVEMBER 6-8PM.

The advent of the technology that made capturing visual experiences available to everyone, impelled artists to explore different ways to express themselves.

I believe, however, that there is always a longing for narrative.

After a period of ten years when my work was entirely abstract, I felt a need to connect with the human condition and all its emotional complexities in a figurative way.

The reference to both mythological and classical subjects is because of their enduring relevance. Intrinsically, people don't change. Their behaviours, aspirations, actions for good or bad, are as they ever have been.

I was lucky enough to visit Florence earlier this year where many of the wonderful works draw on these same classical subjects. Lately I had been painting pictures with tear-streaked faces, and to my reassurance discovered a female renaissance painter who depicted the same thing. Her name was Plautilla Nelli (1524-1588 ) She is only now being researched and her works restored. Both the paintings below are taken from the story of Tobias and the Angel, and while not in the catalogue, will be in the exhibition.

YEW TREE GALLERY - 2025

The paintings in this show were chosen by my dear friend and experienced curator Gilly Wyatt Smith, for her loved and admired Yew Tree Gallery. She asked to come and explore the space I keep, for storing some of the many paintings I have made throughout the years.

Making a painting is like living and breathing to me, just a necessity for being really. Nothing special, just something that occupies my thoughts and imagination most of the time and is vital for my existence.

Of course my thoughts move on, and change, so of course, the paintings change too. Sometimes being entirely Abstract, or sometimes disturbing, making visual the cruelty and political uncertainty of the world we live in. The paintings in this exhibition though, have a common theme of pleasure and imagination. They also often reference women's friendship and support for one another. Men are present too of course, (always important in my life) but in some cases referred to in a symbolic way.

Sometimes by that ever present little dog that keeps appearing. Faithful loving friend? Or a little dangerous? I never know.

Since my childhood in India and Africa, colour and drama are vital to me and always influence me. Because of my vibrant childhood experiences, these choices always underly my work. This also is the reason I was to love all the New Mexico Birds, which delighted me when we used to visit our rustic cabin high up on Horse Mountain near Socorro. We lived and painted there for some several winters enjoying the complete solitude of living in an untouched forest with small forest creatures during the day and the wonderful stars at night.

I never make a plan when I paint, just letting the painting take me where it wants to go even if it 'goes wrong' there is always evidence of a journey which makes it interesting. The results always surprise me, and that makes me want to do more, so I often paint in series, several pictures with the same theme and subject matter, always striving for better!

Janet, 2025

My other work can be seen at

Cornwall Contemporary, Penzance

Instagram: janetlynch2138

Website: www.janetlynch.com