All images © Sally Cole

Sally Cole at First Sight Gallery, Hastings Old Town

HOT journalist John Cole reviews an art exhibition that is close to his heart…

It is sometimes best to let artists speak for themselves, rather than possibly misquoting their words or misinterpreting their artwork. In the case of Sally Cole’s recent work on display at First Sight Gallery, this is especially true – because Sally Cole is my wife. So instead of demonstrating my very strong bias – which is that her work is powerful and moving – I will let her speak for herself.

“My subject is the landscape,” says Sally, “with a particular focus on the sky and the earth and how they meet. My mark-making records the certainty of this meeting point as well as the surprising and sometimes awkward man made interruptions. Being in the landscape in all weathers is crucial to my understanding and refining of the experience of being an artist and brings wonderful challenges and insights.

I studied fine art at Chelsea School of Art. My working life has been spent working with photography and photographers until the discovery of monoprinting, which has brought me back to my first love. When creating a monoprint, I try to work with a clear intention of idea and not solely rely on magical surprises. As with my painting and drawing I am looking for ways to express the layers within the landscape, seen and imagined. The shapes and marks I make when printing are usually informed by my looking and drawing whilst outside.”

See more of Sally’s work on her website.

Sally’s show is at First Sight Gallery, 34 High Street, Old Town Hastings, TN34 3ER, until the end of March.

Opening times, Friday to Sunday, 10-5.

Also in: Arts News