Uplands: Group Exhibition

Moving beyond mere representations of the natural world, the exhibition highlights how artists today use landscape to express intricate mental and emotional experiences, forging a deeper connection between art and the environment. By juxtaposing traditional and modern approaches, Uplands creates a platform for dialogue on how our relationship with landscapes, both artistic and real, has evolved over time.

The exhibition presents landscape not just as an aesthetic subject but as a means to promote mental positivity. Uplands, as a concept, refers both to physical higher ground—characterised by rugged hills, moors, and mountains—and to the uplifting experience that can be derived from nature. This duality in meaning reinforces the exhibition’s aim: to emphasise the therapeutic value of nature in enhancing mental well-being. Uplands addresses the growing importance of both mental health and environmental preservation in today’s world, urging viewers to reflect on their interaction with nature through contemporary art.

One of the featured artists is Eddie Jones, winner of the Freelands Painting Prize 2023 and the Gilchrist-Fisher Award 2024. From North-West England, Jones grew up near Snowdonia, and his work is influenced by his deep connection to this landscape. His paintings are characterised by dark, layered tones that evoke ambiguous light, imbuing his depictions of nature with a sense of introspection. Jones’s reimagined landscapes prompt viewers to experience emotional resonance rather than mere visual beauty.

German painter Raffael Bader brings an abstract approach to landscape art, exploring the mirrored relationships between humanity and nature. His work examines how natural events often reflect internal human experiences, encouraging viewers to consider the parallels between environmental and personal change.

Canadian artist Gavin Lynch draws on his experiences in British Columbia, where natural disasters such as forest fires and floods deeply affected the landscape. Using a combination of traditional and digital techniques, Lynch reconstructs these altered environments, blending historical and modern references to examine the fragility of nature.

Christina Giuffrida, an Australian artist, critiques the exploitation of her country’s landscapes through surreal compositions that incorporate vivid colours and nude female figures. Her works reflect on the connection between human form and nature, offering a vision of harmony and liberation.

Robert Minervini, a Californian artist, explores the dynamic relationship between nature and culture through hyperreal landscapes. His works combine organic and geometric forms, reflecting the tension between human intervention and the natural world.

J. Carino, uses abstract male figures to explore non-heteronormativity through natural landscapes. His surreal palette highlights freedom and individuality, celebrating the connection between personal expression and wild, uncontrolled environments.

Finally, Anthony Padilla, a New York-based muralist, combines abstraction, surrealism, and realism to create vibrant murals that explore the mysteries of nature. His landscapes incorporate natural forms in unexpected ways, encouraging viewers to question their relationship with untamed environments.

Through these diverse artistic perspectives, Uplands offers a nuanced reflection on how contemporary landscape art can inspire, heal, and transform our understanding of the natural world.

For more information or to register your interest, please email info@rhodescontemporaryart.com