Jane Hedges, Duff Pearce & Ian Middleton | RHYTHM and RHYME

An exhibition of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture by Jane Hedges, Duff Pearce, and Ian Middleton shows three very individual approaches to creative endeavour and expression. Although their work and approaches appear very different, common preoccupations and concerns are evident and friendship and mutual respect have maintained the dialogue and interest in each other’s work. They have established close working relationships since the 1980s and have shown together periodically.

Jane Hedges is an abstract painter with an astute knowledge and understanding of colour, her paintings 'grow' on the canvas, each layer a complex and intuitive response to the last, an ongoing exploration of colour, structure and mark-making. These lyrical, and engaging paintings lift the spirits, an ensemble of optimism, colour and light.

Duff Pearce's work is underpinned by his exceptional draughtsmanship, a figurative painter and prolific printmaker recurring subjects include people, boats, harbours, and interiors. Usually, hard edged he works with strong geometric shapes, repeated pattern and mark making which he pushes to the point of abstraction generating movement and tensions as the compositions develop.

Ian Middleton uses 'found objects' in his sculptures and a range of processes including casting carving and assemblage. He explores relationships between the different elements in the work, evoking associations, humour, feelings of familiarity, nostalgia and sometimes foreboding.