Linda Wormald
LINDA Wormald's first solo show opens this weekend at The ArtSpace in
Her exhibition notches up another first too: the inaugural show devoted to the work of only one artist at the gallery in
"We've spent the first year-and-a-half of our existence holding group 'concept' exhibitions, but we feel that we're earning our spurs - enough to offer all of our wall space to just one artist from time to time, " says gallery co-owner Greg McGee.
"The question was never 'Who do we start off with?' We'd heard Linda's name so many times, it was like she was some sort of local legendary sprite of the woods.
She's the Zorro of the
Linda, right, had attended one of the ArtSpace's Art Jamming sessions, a post-work evening of painting and wine-drinking to the accompaniment of live music.
"I'd heard of The ArtSpace on the
Two days later, Linda took round a small portfolio of her abstract work. "Greg liked them. Well, he said it in a more exciting way than that. He said they were vibrant and sexy and offered me a solo exhibition, " she says.
"When we got together over that Art Jamming session we knew that she was the artist for the job, " says Greg. "She's 100 per cent professional, she's wildly passionate and she has an army of supporters."
The invitation came at the beginning of May, and Linda was given a free rein. "What was so attractive to me about doing this show was that Greg and Ails said I could show whatever I wanted, whereas a lot of galleries like all the work to be of one type, seascapes or whatever. That's why there's such a variety of pieces."
Linda, a diminutive 4ft 11in, has felt the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, but in a positive way.
"I feel the focus on me in the sense that I don't want to let the gallery down, but over the years - and I've been painting for 40 years - I've picked up a good following and I do feel that the opening night will be very successful."
The opening night is tonight, when live music will set the mood to match Linda's increasingly colourful pieces.
"The work is beautiful, so it'll stand up for itself, " says Ails. "The Spanish flamenco guitarist tonight will be great; there'll be an exciting atmosphere, we'll all enjoy some wine - but the artwork is the real star. It comes as naturally as breathing to Linda."
Linda says her passion is for the act of painting itself: "I've never really thought about why I've done something. It's just how inspired I am at a certain time: sometimes I feel so alive that I paint in red; sometimes I'm more subdued and a seascape will come out. I can be influenced by the music I play: I love the Rolling Stones!" she says.
"To me, painting is a tonic, a form of escape. We all have things we have to deal with in life, and painting helps me to cope? and pay the bills each month.
"Now, with this solo show, I feel it's a gallery where I can be adventurous and dynamic, and as Greg said, sexy in my work."
Linda Wormald's show runs until July 7
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