AMBER & BRIDGET LEAMAN

Amber and Bridget Leaman

1st - 13th February 2016

C A D O G A NC O N T E M P O R A R Y

87 Old Brompton Road

London SW7 3LDTelephone: +44 (0)20 7581 5451

www.cadogancontemporary.com

Gallery HoursMonday - Friday 10am - 6pm

Bridget and Amber, mother and daughter, have tried for most of their painting lives to draw a distinction between their work and to recognise the differences. It has to be said, to little avail.

It is no surprise that their work has evolved in the exciting way it has. They have lived within semaphoring distance of each other on the cliff edge of the most southerly outpost of Cornwall, the Lizard. Long straight horizons; the plunging vertical views of the vivid cobalt sea and the wide flat landscape of fields and moorland. How could their paintings not be inspired by this unique Cornish country and the history of painterly abstraction exemplified by artists such as Patrick Heron, Peter Lanyon and Ben Nicholson among others.

Bridget in particular has become a child of the elements. The forces of nature are powerfully evident living in her little house, perched precariously on the very edge of the Atlantic, with nothing much between her and the raging sea. With everything at the mercy of the winds, battered and blown about, and with her roof at risk of flying away, it is no wonder her paintings seethe with untamed energy.

This free spirit and its manifestation in glorious, life affirming paintings has been recognised by many distinguished clients and collectors over the 20 years we have exhibited Bridget’s work at Cadogan Contemporary.

And now, despite Bridget and Amber embracing the similarities and common sensibility to the overwhelming influence of their surroundings; subtle differences are emerging. The straight jacket of conformity seems removed and real individual differences are coming to light. What is common to both is a love of colour, an uninhibited energy, a vivaciousness and freedom to convey a vision of the land and sea around them which occupies their soul.

We are delighted to present this exhibition as our first major show of 2016.

Christopher Burness

A change in the air, oil on canvas, 53” x 60”, Bridget Leaman

Mist in the Valley,oil on canvas, 55” x 55”

Bridget Leaman

Late Summer Blues, oil on canvas, 57” x 60”Bridget Leaman

Early walk with my dog, oil on canvas, 55” x 55”

Bridget Leaman

Somewhere Special, oil on canvas, 53” x 60”Bridget Leaman

Blown Out, oil on canvas, 60” x 60”, Bridget Leaman

Soliloquey I, oil on canvas, 40” x 40”

Amber Leaman

Solilquey II, oil on canvas, 40” x 40”Amber Leaman

Soliloquey III, oil on canvas, 40” x 40”, Amber Leaman

Solo, oil on canvas, 45” x 45”

Amber Leaman

Nomad,oil on canvas, 40” x 36”Amber Leaman

Trumps, oil on canvas, 22” x 22”, Amber Leaman

BRIDGET LEAMAN studied at Bournemouth College of Art and then the West Surrey School of Art, Farnham.

Bridget started her career exhibiting at the Royal Institute of Watercolours, winning a Most Outstanding award, before regularly showing at various London, Oxfordshire and Cornish galleries, including the Royal Academy and Royal West of England Academy.

Since the mid-1990’s Cadogan Contemporary has represented Bridget, exhibiting her work in countless group and solo shows.

AMBER stayed close to home at the renowned Falmouth College of Art. After graduating she started exhibiting alongside her mother as well as regularly solo exhibitions at Lemmon Street Gallery in Truro.

Bridget and Amber’s work is part of various international private and public collections including Lloyds TSB, Uniliver, The Esmee Fairbairn Collection.

C A D O G A NC O N T E M P O R A R Y

87 Old Brompton Road

London SW7 3LDTelephone: +44 (0)20 7581 5451

www.cadogancontemporary.com