The private view of the exhibition of Louis Turpin’s paintings was held at Great Dixter House, on Saturday October 8. The exhibition, entitled Visiting Dixter, was made up of 22 works in all, 20 oil on canvas and two Indian ink drawings, mainly work of the last two years.
Turpin has been painting gardens for over 30 years, and was drawn to Dixter in the 1970s. In fact, his first picture of Walking Through Dixter, an image of a mother and daughter in a topiary garden, is on display at the show. It is in a different style from the recent paintings, and provides a fascinating view of the topiary and the green lawn, contrasted by a bright blanket.
Held in the magnificent medieval Great Hall and the smaller Parlour, the vibrant paintings lit up the wonderful space, seen as soon as the door of the Great Hall opened. The eye was immediately drawn to A Hot Summers Day and, in the corner, Rose Hips, (see main picture, above). Other works, including the very popular Indian ink drawings, Fatsia Japonica and Veg Patch, Upper Garden, were displayed in Christopher Lloyd’s favourite room, the parlour.
The private view was a resounding success, with about 150 people attending, and at the end of the day, a total of ten paintings had been sold, including both Indian ink drawings. One of the first to sell, Cold Frames, (pictured right), was purchased by collectors of Turpin’s work and this was the same with other sales. However, a number of new purchasers were also in evidence, with the Veg Patch, Upper Garden and Abundance, a beautiful picture of white cosmos, two examples of this.
Turpin’s paintings, dealing with colour and form, are ideally suited to the energy of the garden, vivid and abundant, carefully planned whilst bursting with exuberance. He captures the different light as the seasons progress, and is an expert in describing in paint the movement and shapes within the plant forms. His interest in the topiary that provides a structure and background to the garden, is in evidence in these recent paintings.
Seeing the exhibition can only reinforce the 2013 opinion of Fergus Garrett, Head Gardener and Chief Executive of the Charitable Trust, “ Louis Turpin, with his broad brushstrokes, vivid use of colour that captures the spirit of Dixter, and the depths of his paintings, brings floral tapestries alive on the canvas”
Great Dixter House and Gardens are open until October 30, 2016. Gardens open 11am to 5pm, House and Exhibition open 2pm to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday. Ticket price: House and Gardens Day ticket: Adult entry £11.55 gift aid (£10.50) Child entry £1.10 gift aid (£1.00) See website for full details.
Photos courtesy Louis Turpin and Great Dixter