If you were lucky enough to see the Threadneedle Prize exhibition earlier this month, you witnessed a treat. Among the many talented artists on display, you may have spotted a vibrant and colourful scene of London life painted by Emma Haworth.
Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery is putting on a solo show of her work that promises to contain more of the same. Haworth's use of bright colours gives London and New York an almost exotic feel and captures the vibrancy of cities packed with people either going about their daily routines or trying to escape the frantic pace of the city.
Despite the artist drawing inspiration from these cities, her style is more realistic than idyllic — a view of the sun setting is obstructed by electricity pylons, while people relaxing in the park are accompanied by overflowing bins. This grounds the paintings in the reality we're all familiar with, yet still allows for a slightly romanticised vision of city life.
It's the contrasting scenes of the parks and the concrete jungle of London that will be the major draw for many visitors and Haworth's attention to the little details ensures these works are full of goings on that demand lengthy inspections of each painting by the viewer.
Emma Haworth: Secret Places in the City is on display at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, 28 Charlotte St, W1T 2NA from 5-30 November. Admission is free.
