Judith Cain 4th – 21st March 2014
T H A C K E R AY G A L L E RY E ST. 1968
after india My recent paintings are influenced by a research trip to India, somewhere I have long wanted to visit. In fact, time and again people have said to me ‘you should go to India’. I now understand why. The trip was specifically focussed on the Royal Palaces and textile industries of Rajasthan and the remote craft villages, mostly situated in the desert regions of northern Gujarat. The following aspects of Indian society and culture were particularly influential in my work: the unfairness of the cast system which still seems to be the norm in many parts of the country, despite being illegal; the opulence and wealth of some, in contrast to the abject poverty of the majority; the over-powering beauty of the palaces, richly decorated interiors with exquisite frescoes and miniature paintings, often situated adjacent to the squalor and detritus of life in the city; the calm and peace in the beautiful remote villages where people rarely stray beyond their small community; the vast areas of flat empty desert and distant mountains scattered with small groups of people and animals trekking to unknown destinations. But, above all, their amazing use of colour and pattern, and the consequent intensity of the fabrics and saris. The drawings, notes and photographs I made during the trip aided my visual memory once I had returned home to my studio. I do feel privileged to have had the opportunity to experience such a visually rich country, and I hope that you feel something of this when looking at my paintings. Judith Cain November 2013 left India – Egrets Setting acrylic on panel 80x80cms (31.5x31.5ins)
page one The Journey – Camels acrylic on paper 84x87cms (33x34ins)
India – Contrasts I acrylic on panel 60x66cms (24x26ins)
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Yellow Flowers, Blue Birds acrylic on panel 76x81cms (30x32ins)
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India – Contrasts II acrylic on panel 60x66cms (24x26ins)
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India – the Bowls of Fruit II acrylic on panel 76x87cms (32x34ins)
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The Journey – Distant Mountains acrylic on panel 76x81cms (30x32ins)
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India – The Royal Palaces II acrylic on birch ply 38x40cms (15x16ins)
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Acacia – Two Red Birds and Pink Flowers acrylic on panel 30x30cms (12x12ins)
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The Black Kites acrylic on panel 60x66cms (24x26ins)
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Memories of the Amber Palace II acrylic on panel 46x47cms (18x18.5ins)
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Bowls of Fruit with Blue Vase acrylic on birch ply 38x40cms (15x16ins)
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India – the Textile Villages I gesso on birch ply 48x50cms (19x20ins)
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India – in the Shadows acrylic on panel 30x30cms (12x12ins)
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The Ancient Tree by the Water acrylic on birch ply 38x43cms (15x17ins)
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Scavengers acrylic on panel 37x38cms (14.5x15ins)
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The Village Workshops – around Bhuj I acrylic on panel 37x38cm (14.5x15ins)
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BIOGRAPHY Judith Cain was born in Yorkshire. She studied Painting at Leeds College of Art, A.T.C. at London University – Goldsmiths College. Until August 2006 Judy taught Fine Art at Leeds Metropolitan University. She continues to live and work in Leeds today.
selected mixed shows 1993 1994 1995
1996 1997 1998 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010
Oxford Gallery, Oxford – Two Person show Linton Court Gallery, Settle – Two Person show Royal Academy – ‘Summer Exhibition’ Terrace Gallery – ‘Harewood Landscape Open’ (Prize Winner) Mercer Gallery, Harrogate – ‘Laing Open’ (Prize Winner) Mall Galleries, London – ‘Laing Open’ (Prize Winner) Royal Academy – ‘Summer Exhibition’ Royal Academy – ‘Summer Exhibition’ Banqueting House, Whitehall, London – ‘Northern Lights’ Six Chapel Row Gallery, Bath Bankside Gallery, London – ‘Royal Watercolour Society’, Open competition Bruton Gallery, Leeds – Mixed landscape exhibition. Zoersel, Belgium, International Biennale – ‘A Riddle for Zoersel’ (12 international artists) Bruton Gallery at Bonhams, Leeds ‘The Art Synthesis Road Show’, Uplands, Vasby, (Stockholm) Sweden Sanderson George and Peach Gallery Holmfirth Orange Street Gallery, Uppingham Royal Academy – ‘Summer Exhibition’ Bradford Colour Museum – Two person show with Jennifer Durant Atrium Gallery, Bexley Wing, St James’s Hospital, Leeds Mall Galleries, London – ‘The Discerning Eye’ (Prize Winner)
solo shows 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010
2012 2014
Thackeray Gallery, London Oriel Gallery, Welshpool Eight Clifton Gallery, York Thackeray Gallery, London Leeds University Gallery, Leeds Thackeray Gallery, London New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham Adam Gallery, Bath Thackeray Gallery, London Adam Gallery, Bath Thackeray Gallery, London Linton Court Gallery, Settle Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery Sanderson, George and Peach Gallery, Holmfirth Myles Meehan Gallery Darlington Arts Centre Bruton Gallery at Hayleys, Leeds Thackeray Gallery, London The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, London City Art Gallery, Leeds Chelsea Gallery, Palo Alto California Thackeray Gallery, London Thackeray Gallery, London Artco, Leeds Thackeray Gallery, London Artco, Leeds Chapel Row Gallery, Bath Thackeray Gallery, London Thackeray Gallery, London
prizes & awards 1995
2003 2010
Laing Regional – First Prize Winner Laing National – Major Prize Winner Harewood Landscape Open – Harewood Award AHRB Award Arts Council Award Mall Galleries, London – ‘The Discerning Eye’ (North of England Regional Prize Winner)
commissions 2007
Oncology Department, Leeds Hospital: Floor pieces for the Radiotherapy Reception Area accompanied by a series of ten paintings.