Natasha Turnquest presents a ‘Painted Poem’ in new exhibit

It has been a circuitous path to this inaugural art exhibition by Natasha Turnquest, as her entire professional career has been spent in the world of foreign policy analysis. What she is now embracing, among other pursuits, is the world of colour and how the subconscious informs everything.

This exhibition is called “The Painted Poem” and will open on Saturday, August 5, at the Doongalik Studios Art Gallery.

Natasha’s acrylic paintings tell a story, not so much a literal one, but one that rests in whispers and nuances. Each painting is an interpretation of a poem either written by Ms Turnquest, or one she considers a favourite.

The piece she is most connected to emotionally is a 6-foot by 7-foot acrylic on canvas entitled “No man is an island but you live on one”. It is a riff on the famous John Donne poem “For Whom The Bell Tolls”.

This has always been one of her favourite poems of all time, and in the last few years it has taken on a deeper meaning for her because within the span of two years she has lost two most treasured members of her family: her largerthan-life father who died at the age of 80, and her larger-than-life aunt who died at the age of 94.

She considered it a privilege to be able to care for both of them. It taught her the valuable lesson that no matter how vibrant and vital we are in the prime of our lives, if we live long enough, we will be dependent upon someone. Hence, this concept of interconnectedness is woven throughout the art show.

An artist’s talk will be held at the Gallery on Sunday, August 6, from 3pm to 5pm, and part proceeds from the sale of artwork will be donated to the Garvin Tynes Centre for Autism.

The exhibit will be on display until August 16.

For further information, contact the gallery at 394-1887 or via email at pam.burnside@ doongalik.com.