Rebecca Merry MA (RCA)Rebecca trained in Fine Art in Bristol Polytechnic and at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London where she completed an MA in Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts in 1991. Whilst at the RCA she learnt the technique of Indian Miniature painting which she continues to use for her works on paper. In the last few years she has also taken up egg tempera painting becoming a member of the UK Society of Tempera Painters in 2003. In 2004 she worked with TV artist Rolf Harris as part of his BBC1 programme ‘Rolf on Art’ helping recreate a full size version of ‘The Birth of Venus’ by Botticelli in egg tempera. Over the last year she has also started some to produce some etchings hand coloured and inspired by Art Nouveau and the Symbolists. Rebecca’s primary influences are sacred art from East and West: Islamic Geometry, Orthodox Icons, Indian miniatures and medieval manuscripts. Subsequently she draws much from museum and gallery collections for inspiration and worked in the Education Department at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London for five years before taking up painting professionally in 2001. The pictures themselves are small, colourful, and symbolic. They are based on geometric patterns that give them a subtle harmony and carefully chosen colours, to give a sense of musical composition - an idea found in Indian painting. Recurrent themes are spiritual and romantic love, the seasons and cycles of the year and saints.
Selected Recent Group Exhibitions |