Songs of the Sea and Land - a Tribute

In the first of what we intend to be an annual 'Summer Tribute Exhibition' the Academy salutes the life and work of May Iremonger. May has been exhibiting at the Academy for well over 30 years and it is fitting that we pay cognizance to her contribution and I would like to offer my gratitude to all those who have it possible.

 

"Songs of the Land and Sea" is an apt description of the work of one of the Academy's longest serving artists whose work is as melodic and emotionally rich as if it were sung to you personally. Evoking the stories of a life well lived the paintings are rich in their colours and effervescence, and well augmented by her poems that accompany many of them.

 

Those without poems have stories behind them of wit and charm that instantly bring the abstract compositions to life. Although she professed to not painting her garden that much, when I met with May to discuss this exhibition it was ablaze with the spring colour and vigour so prevalent in her work. She kept me entertained with tales and stories well into the afternoon as she showed me her roses that she knew by name.

 

It gives me great pleasure to bring this exhibition to our members and to the wider public as we pay tribute to one of our artists in the late afternoon of her life - still full of the joys of life and the wonder of paint.

 

The Academy has a long and proud history and it is through the work of artists such as May Iremonger that the colourful and vibrant songs of the land and sea are heard and remembered. I hope you enjoy is exhibition as much as I have in discovering the gem that is behind it. 

 

Ian Hamlin

President

 

"Songs of the Sea and Land" - watercolour 

 

 

Blue" - watercolour