Of figures and fabrics

Inside Out will be an all-out effort by Sharjah-based artists exhibiting their works from December 7 to 15. Sculptress Gwyneth Nasr and silk-painting artist Paula Bradley's joint venture promises to be immensely interesting.

The rough, hardy clay figures by Gwyneth and the delicate flowers and birds depicted in Paula's bright paintings on silk, though contrasting complement each other.

The sculptures will be displayed in the beautiful landscaped garden while the paintings can be viewed in the cozy interior of the villa situated behind Sharjah Wanderers Club. The exhibition will be inaugurated at 1.00pm on December 7.

Gwyneth is a long-time resident of Sharjah and has had many exhibitions at galleries in the UK and UAE. Her works are also displayed and sold by a number of art shops in Dubai. Gwyneth does not like to use 'obvious symbols like camels and dhows that litter the local art scene' and finds challenges in other images that reflect the rich tradition of the Emirates. Most of her pieces are one of a kind and one rarely sees any repetition in her work.

The influence of classical Roman and Greek sculptures is clearly discernible in the majestic heads and mesmerising Medusas that Gwyneth so favours. Whether beaming suns or glaring Celts, the collection of sculptures in terracotta and porcelain is a combination of flowing forms, enigmatic expressions and earthy appeals of clay. The terracotta sculptures weather well and can be kept outdoors, says Gwyneth. She has a number of masks in her diverse collection, the haunting countenances imparting a mystical beauty to the images.

Specialising in silk

Paula Bradley has always had a passion for Art. She has a Fine Arts degree with education from Canterbury University. Living in the Emirates for almost nine years now, she taught at the Sharjah English School till recently but chose to stop full time employment and concentrate on art, specialising in silk painting and charcoal drawings.

The hypnotic effect of liquid dyes moving on shimmering silk fibers allured Paula to the medium of silk painting. "Each piece is hand painted on 100 per cent Chinese silk using silk dyes and resist," says Paula. "The finished work can be washed and ironed and is water-resistant and light fast", she adds.

The complex process results in an almost three-dimensional effect and you are transported to the tropical rainforest by the vivid colours or tranquil sunsets by the subtle hues of Paula Bradley's silk paintings.