Field of Vision, a solo show by Yanny Petters

'Field of Vision', botanical treasures in focus, a solo show by Yanny Petters, 10 Oct - 06 Nov 2021

10 October - 06 November 2021

Solo show


Launch of the show: 

- At the gallery, Sunday 10 October, from 2pm to 6pm in the presence of the artist. Please book a time that suits you by calling/texting or emailing us. 
Guest speaker Janet McLean, curator at The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, will introduce the exhibition at 2pm sharp. Please note that the 2:00pm, 2:30pm and 3:00pm timeslots are now booked out. You can still book for the 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00 and 5:30 pm timeslots (every 30minutes until 6pm). If you cannot attend in the afternoon, please note that the gallery will be open from 12 noon onwards but the artist will only arrive at 2pm. 

If you were not able to attend the opening, please note that we recorded the live stream of Janet Mclean's presentation, preceded by a short introduction by Olivier. It can be watched/listened to on the gallery's facebook page or on our youtube channel. 

- On line in our 3D Virtual Space, Sunday 10 October from 12 noon onwards. 


Availability of the show:  

- Tuesdays to Sundays at the gallery from 10 October to 06 November (please book a time).

- Online in our 3D Virtual Space from Sunday 10 October onwards. 


Special events:  

- Wednesday 3 November: Yanny will be in conversation with the art historian Jean Ryan at 7pm here at the gallery. There are limited seats available but the event will also be broadcast live (and recorded) on our Facebook page and our YouTube channel.  

- Saturday 6 November. Finissage for the last day of the show. The artist will be at the gallery from 2pm to 5pm if you would like to come and have a look at the exhibition and meet the artist. Please book a 30-minute timeslot by emailing us. 

The Olivier Cornet Gallery is delighted to present this solo show by gallery artist Yanny Petters.

'Field of Vision',  botanical treasures in focus

"When I was a child, my brother and I were given a microscope by my parents. I was fascinated by the detail of tiny objects we looked at, a view of the minutiae that makes up our surroundings. Things we examined included petals, leaf cells and seeds, shining a light on their structure and intense colours. I was also curious about the tiny glass slides, the design of the instrument and how the scientific process of examination worked. Looking back, this instrument, along with my parents' encouragement, was an important part of what sparked my curiosity in plants and opened my eyes to a botanical field of vision. Little did I know that years later I would be inspired by this childhood memory. 
 
For almost two years we have had to look at our surroundings in a new way, our field of vision being reduced due to the world wide Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
Through my love of Irish wild plants I often gather drawings for my work from far afield, but this time I have seized upon this opportunity to explore those wild plants that are closest to me in my garden. When we look at our immediate surroundings we don't have to go far to find wonderful and fascinating habitats, delicate ecosystems which sustain life.
 
'Plant blindness' is a term used since the 1990s to describe the lack of human awareness of plants. Our increased urbanisation has reduced our contact with nature, thereby separating us from the very elements we need for our survival in a time of climate change. Through my exhibition I continue to raise awareness of our botanical cohabitants, some of which we need for food and medicine, and all of which form a valuable symbiotic relationship between each other, pollinator insects, birds, animals and ourselves."
 
The exhibition includes 75 small Verre Eglomisé paintings proportionally similar in shape to glass slides used in the old microscope. Each plant is drawn from nature, a selection from the myriad wild plants growing on about half an acre, native plants which all too often go un-noticed, but which are part of delicate and precious habitats. They include Spring flowers like Celandine, Primrose and Cowslip, Summer flowers from Bluebell, Foxglove and Poppy to Forget-me-not and Clover as well as Autumnal favourites like Bramble, Rowan and Hawthorn.
 
Each painting is 21cm x 8.5cm on 4mm glass and involves acid etching, drawing, painting and gilding in the technique of Verre Eglomisé. The back of each panel is gilded to cast a glow behind the plant, emphasising its preciousness, making that which is considered common more exquisite. The paintings are presented in groups of three reflecting the season, their habitat or their relationship with each other, capturing their delightful vivacity.

The exhibition runs at the gallery until 6 November 2021.

The Olivier Cornet Gallery is delighted to share the news that in recent months, work by the artist has joined two important public collections:
 


Coverage/reviews:
  • 'Dublin Field of Vision', October Diary section, page 26, Irish Arts Review Magazine, Autumn 2021 edition: 
    "...Known for her botanical art, in the past year Petters has concentrated on the delicate ecosystems that make up her immediate surroundings..."
  • 'Artistic License: Yanny Petters', Penny McCormick, The Gloss, 13 October 2021

  • 'How many flowers grow in an Irish country garden'?, Eoin Mac Lochlainn, Scéalta Ealaíne, 28 October 2021

  • Great gifts for gardeners: Tools, plants and knowledge (section Art), Fionnuala Fallon, The Irish Times, 4 December 2021:
    "Last but not least, artist Yanny Petters’ recent show, Field of Vision at Dublin’s Olivier Cornet Gallery, has confirmed her status as one of the country’s most gifted botanically-inspired artists with her work now included in the collections of the National Gallery of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland. Using a technique known as verre églomisé which involves acid etching, drawing, painting and gilding onto glass, the exhibition was inspired by the native plants growing in Petter’s country garden in Wicklow such as bluebell, foxglove, primrose, cowslips and forget-me-nots. Definitely a Christmas gift to treasure..."

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