Show focuses on beauty of everyday things

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it” – Confucius

Beauty found in everyday objects is the theme of an upcoming art exhibition by local artist Vanessa Turner. 

Her paintings go on show at the Bermuda Society of Arts on Friday. The exhibition poses the question: “Do we perceive beauty in a commonplace? Have we developed a culture in which, through familiarity, we take for granted the value and beauty of life’s most basic and fundamental offerings?.”

Speaking to the Bermuda Sun, Turner said: “I’m intrigued by what is — but rarely noticed. 

“By remaining highly sensitive to the subtleties of light and shadow, I create intimate reflections of everyday life, objects and people. 

“Finding beauty in the common place is important to me as a form of reflection, appreciation and gratitude… And that in itself… gratitude is one of life’s greatest healers.

“When I’m painting, each piece of artwork goes through numerous stages as it is built up in layers. Each layer has a different purpose and presents new challenges and struggles. At these stages I constantly remind myself not to feel defeated or give up. 

“Instead, I press on through the difficulty to reveal the end product, a beautiful painting which would not have come to be without the underlying struggle. 

“The process is interestingly reflective of life’s journeys. They often say “When you look outside, you dream. When you look within, you awaken”. My art is a voice motivating you and me to do both.

Turner will have fine art available for purchase as well as sets of notecards and an art catalogue with work from the exhibit.

The show opens at BSoA this Friday from 5pm to 7:30pm and runs until October 9.