Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5727/-1/140/
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'Anguilla Botanicals' Takes Anguilla by Storm
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‘Anguilla Botanicals,’ the first exhibition for ten years by artist Jo-Anne Mason, opened on Saturday 23 February at Savannah Gallery to universal acclaim. Visitors thronged the gallery eager to see the work.
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Jo-Anne Mason at the Opening of ‘Anguilla Botanicals’ with some of the Exhibits
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Gallery owner, Frank Costin, said, “I think the artist should speak about the work but more importantly, the work should speak for itself.” Judging by comments made by those viewing the art works, the art certainly did speak for itself.
“Very beautiful and lifelike,” a visitor to the island from Maryland commented.
“I think that she has really captured the plant material, in the natural state. Nature is not perfect. I like them very much. I think she has done a great job and I am learning a great deal,” another visitor, who works at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C., enthused. “I was particularly interested in this [exhibition] from the botanical point of view. I am really enjoying it. I love the seed pods they are beautiful,” she continued.
Island local, Gilda Gumbs Samuel, of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourist Association, commented that the show was, “beautiful, there is no way I would have missed this. Jo-Anne is such a talented artist. It does not matter what medium, Jo-Anne does a fantastic job. You can always depend on her to come up with first rate work.”
Mason herself was pleased with the way the art was displayed, “a wonderful job,” she smiled. “The off white walls set off the pictures well.” She further commented, “I am very happy with the turn out for my show and the interest people have in plants on Anguilla. Many people commented on the fact that because of their size many plants are often overlooked and this is a wonderful way to show them in a size that is easy to see.”
The works consist of the first twenty five of a series of pencil pictures of plants commonly found on Anguilla. In three sizes, and in colour as well as black and white, the pictures show the plants in all stages of development and demonstrate Mason’s mastery of composition and tonal quality. They are drawn with precision and an eye for detail. The striking images will eventually form the illustrations for a book on the plants growing on Anguilla, which Mason is planning in the near future.
It is clear that Anguilla is lucky to have such talent in its midst.