About us
Linda Gunn-Russell, Judy Farrar, Ann Westley and Yanina Temple, friends for many years, work in fine art and craft with sculpture, ceramics, photography and watercolours. Between them their work has been shown in many countries of the world, including the UK and Spain, but this is the first time they have exhibited as a group. Using a wealth of diverse media and materials, the works are a celebration of the beauty of the natural world alongside expressions of deep concern for the devastating effects of climate change on all life on our planet. "Tras el vivir y el soñar..." will be at the Jardín Botánico - Histórico La Concepción from 3rd-30th March
Linda Gunn Russell
Linda Gunn-Russell was born in London in 1953. She studied ceramics at Camberwell School of Art and graduated in 1975. After leaving university she designed and produced editions of work for shops and taught in different universities and night classes. In 1980 she explored working on one off pieces using sheets of clay and built a new body of work to exhibit. Since then she has shown in many cities of the world, including London, Oslo and New York and has work in public and private collections.
“Nature has informed and inspired my work, drawing on animal, plant and human forms throughout my creative life. The birds in this exhibition first came to life when we lost our freedom of movement during the pandemic. Trapped on the ground, we could see them fly high and apparently free. Just as in the past the canaries detected gases in the mining operations, now the birds alert and show the changes that humanity has caused in world as their numbers decrease due to the scarcity of food, and they fight for the survival of their young in extreme temperatures”.
Judy Farrar
Judy Farrar was born in London and lives in Malaga city. She has a degree in Sociology and Economics and a postgraduate degree in Art Psychotherapy, both from the University of London. She has worked as a theatre designer, illustrator, community artist, teacher, journalist and research manager. Her sculptures have been exhibited in England and Spain.
"My sculptures explore the human form, specifically how a person's inner life can be seen through posture, gesture and physical expression. I work with a variety of materials - paper, concrete, wire, fabric and natural materials - and the structure and texture of the material are integral to the final piece. The sculptures in this exhibition explore the inextricable relationship between humans and the natural world, and how they are expressed symbolically in our dreams, and sometimes also in our nightmares."
Ann Westley
Ann Westley was born in 1948. She graduated in Sculpture (Fine Art) and was awarded a Gulbenkian Foundation scholarship in sculpture in Rome in 1970; she published the book "Relief Printmaking" in 2000 and has exhibited widely in the UK, Europe and the USA. Ann lives in Cútar, Malaga province.
“Until a decade ago, I worked extensively in sculpture and printmaking. Now I prefer to paint exclusively in the watercolour medium this being an ecologically empathetic process compatible with my deep concerns for the natural environment, issues which I represent in my paintings.In several paintings I pay homage to certain indigenous artists, people in the Amazon, Australia and the Polar regions, people whose lives and homes are being eroded as trees are cut down, fires burn and ice melts. However, I want to create images that display an optimism and joy, essential counter balances to heal the extremes of damage all about us”
Yanina Temple
Yanina Temple graduated in Textiles from Loughborough College of Art and Design, Leicestershire, in 1978. Since then she has taught at art schools and universities, but has continued with her own practice, which has ranged from creating textile work, papier-mâché, collage, jewellery and photography, with colour as a constant factor. She has taught workshops, exhibited and sold her work throughout the UK.
“We all know that the natural world is in peril and this beautiful planet has become my absolute focus through the vehicle of creative photography. Travelling the world is a constant source of inspiration for me. I photograph combinations of colour, plants and light, experimenting with the limitations of analogous and contrasting colour juxtaposed with the texture and intricacy of blooms.
A recent trip to Bali and Australia offered me the opportunity to photograph some indigenous plants as well as more familiar species. I photographed the plants where I found them, but created a specific sunlit colour environment for them, to display the intensity and beauty of individual flowers and to attract attention to one particular aspect of our incredible planet. “