Beth louella - oystercatcher
Beth’s art often explores emotional, social, spiritual and physical themes. ‘Oystercatcher’ focuses on and celebrates spiritual and physical homes alongside reoccurring topics of heritage, identity, connection and strength.
Beth has been struck by the number of people who feel ‘called’ to the Isle of Man and heard people describe visiting here for the first time and immediately feeling like they were home. She grew up on and off the Isle of Man and after living in and around Birmingham and near London for many years, the pull to the Isle of Man became stronger and went beyond the benefits of having family here and the physical space. She has always had a close relationship with and appreciation of nature and her mixed heritage consists of cultures with deep spirituality and connection to ‘the land’. Beth finds this connection feels especially strong here. Living in the Isle of Man, based in the countryside, near the coast, she feels a profound sense of home and connection which she explores and celebrates in this painting.
The shapes on the young woman’s top represent our Celtic heritage and history here in the Isle of Man, the spirals and curved shapes also relate to nature and indicate continuity, comfort and peace. Her hair blows in the coastal wind, echoing the curved shapes on her top and also signifying the spiritual themes in addition to other elements such as the use of gold throughout the painting.
The focus on the flying oystercatcher comes from the presence of them on local beaches in the Isle of Man, their movement, spiritual associations and symbolism. As well as being a familiar bird in the Isle of Man, oystercatchers can travel great distances and have multiple homes. Exploring the topic of home as someone who has mixed heritage, with close family in different continents, Beth appreciates the connection and symbolism the bird and the focus on nature represents in this painting.
Medium: paint on stretched canvas
Dimensions: 61 x 91.5 cm
Beth has been struck by the number of people who feel ‘called’ to the Isle of Man and heard people describe visiting here for the first time and immediately feeling like they were home. She grew up on and off the Isle of Man and after living in and around Birmingham and near London for many years, the pull to the Isle of Man became stronger and went beyond the benefits of having family here and the physical space. She has always had a close relationship with and appreciation of nature and her mixed heritage consists of cultures with deep spirituality and connection to ‘the land’. Beth finds this connection feels especially strong here. Living in the Isle of Man, based in the countryside, near the coast, she feels a profound sense of home and connection which she explores and celebrates in this painting.
The shapes on the young woman’s top represent our Celtic heritage and history here in the Isle of Man, the spirals and curved shapes also relate to nature and indicate continuity, comfort and peace. Her hair blows in the coastal wind, echoing the curved shapes on her top and also signifying the spiritual themes in addition to other elements such as the use of gold throughout the painting.
The focus on the flying oystercatcher comes from the presence of them on local beaches in the Isle of Man, their movement, spiritual associations and symbolism. As well as being a familiar bird in the Isle of Man, oystercatchers can travel great distances and have multiple homes. Exploring the topic of home as someone who has mixed heritage, with close family in different continents, Beth appreciates the connection and symbolism the bird and the focus on nature represents in this painting.
Medium: paint on stretched canvas
Dimensions: 61 x 91.5 cm