Kin – Five Children in a Landscape Oil on canvas 71 x 127 cm

During the autumn of 2017, Sula embarked on a series of paintings which had been on her mind for a while. These works are the became a series with the working title of Kin.

They are about the current displacement of many people and the sadness of being away from one’s country and former security. The struggle to survive and protect one’s kin is universal. Children still play, whether they find themselves in a camp or on their own street.

The catalyst for this series was a self portrait (see above) she made in the spring of 2017. This picture was selected for the Exhibition of the Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize 2017 and exhibited at Piano Nobile, King’s Place, London.

In 2018 Mandell’s Gallery in Norwich mounted a solo exhibition of new work by artist Sula Rubens.

The show comprised a series  of paintings and drawings entitled “Kin”.

The primary focus of “Kin” is people. Although there is no direct reference in these works to current issues of the displacement and suffering of refugees, some of the people Sula paints are displaced, struggling to survive and protect their kin. Some are also making music, tending animals, sleeping, laughing or playing as people do wherever they happen to be. Children play football whether they are in a refugee camp or in their own street.

In Sula’s paintings and drawings the people are transient figures moving through spaces she creates for them on canvas, maps or book pages. In some pieces, sky, land, sea, maps or buildings show through their painted and drawn forms. They are portrayed outside and always relating to one another by talking, laughing or hand gestures. In each picture, there is one figure, even if it is a goat, who looks directly at the viewer.

The drawing is strong. The paint is laid lightly, just enough to convey their presence. The viewer can see just enough. There is no directly explained or implied back story. We view these people as they are at this moment. Their dignified presence in these paintings and drawings is at once moving and life-affirming.

For more images about the mural below , visit the post entitled SHORE FLIGHT on the Home Page.

 This self-portrait has been selected for the exhibition of the Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize 2017 at Piano Nobile Kings Place, London

18th May – 22 nd September

Sula is participating in a collaborative piece to be shown at the Hamburg Altonale 2016 – The Sea Has No Boundaries, Stories of Travellers and Dreamers

Click on link below

http://www.artrevealmagazine.com/vvm4-goes-to-hamburg-altonale-18-july-16th-17th-2016/

In 2014, Sula Rubens was appointed the first Artist in Residence at the Michaelhouse in Trinity St. Cambridge. Visit Residencies page or click on the Michaelhouse post on the Homepage for more images and information. 

 

During the past 3 years Sula has worked with the cricket figures alongside the musicians at Potton Hall, where she is Artist in Residence. The cricket figures became interesting as she began to draw at matches. At first these outdoor moving figures seemed to inhabit a completely other world to that of the interior of the concert hall. However, the batsman walks to the crease anticipating a performance much as the soloist steps onto the stage to take his place with his instrument. To see images of the Potton Hall musicians, go to the Residencies page.

The wicket is a stage where each man has a position and a role to perform. The movements of the players and umpires, seen from a distance are emphasized by the contrast of the white against the green.

Click on images to enlarge

To see more pictures click on flickr