Bold paintings – no holds barred
Stella Cardew, possibly the oldest working artist in Southwark, gave us an exclusive interview to discuss her next exhibition, writes Michael Holland.
I spoke to her after the Life Writing class she attends at Copleston Centre, close to where she lives in Peckham. Other members of the group tell me how Stella sometimes writes about the famous people that have crossed her life over the years as if she was nonchalantly talking about the local vicar. Names like Yoko Ono, William Burroughs and Alan Ginsberg crop up, as well as a multitude of big-name artists that she studied with or befriended.
There is the touch of the avant-garde about Stella, which probably comes from her years at The Royal College of Art and being married to Cornelius Cardew, the experimental composer. She could be seen as other-worldly, which is reflected in some of her art where angels sometimes dwell. She definitely has a sparkle in her eye and is always keen to talk about art. – though, coyly, not her own. But I pressed.
She tells me that she paints or draws just about every day. Now, though, with the restrictions that being 96 brings, her sketching is confined mainly to her garden or around her home. That means there will be several floral paintings, birds in trees and a few of vases, perhaps, but this year Ms Cardew has pulled out some of her old life study drawings and painted clothes on them!
I asked why, and with her finger firmly plugged into the 2020s’ Zeitgeist, replied, ‘Nobody wants nude sketches on their walls these days.’
Her old sketches, already alive with movement and verve, have been transformed into new oil paintings, the form of the figure very evident beneath the material.
I asked about her current palette and she tripped off the primary colours. She had, though, revealed in the writing class that she never wears red herself but will use it quite a lot in her work, so I predict there could be several red dresses on show soon.
I wanted to know how she would describe this upcoming show: ‘These are bold paintings, no holds barred, yet still harmonious and evocative, transporting you to a different world.’
Jeannie Avent Gallery, 14 North Cross Road, East Dulwich, London SE22 9EU (www.jeannieavent.com). Dates: 22/5/2025 to 3/6/2025. Times: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays: 11am-5pm. Admission: Free.
