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An Ocean of Storms
Savannah Marie Harris
Private View: 26th April 2024 6-9pm
Open by appointment until the 25th of May 2024
Book Here
Harlesden High Street is proud to announce An Ocean of Storms, a second solo exhibition featuring the works of London-based artist Savannah Marie Harris. On display from April 26th - May 25th, the show features six captivating paintings, each a testament to Harris' evolving artistic practice.
Inspired by the vast lunar maria known as ‘Oceanus Procellarum’, An Ocean of Storms embodies Harris’ fascination with geological formations. Through her meticulously crafted oil paintings, she explores this celestial site’s dynamic and speculative essence, mirroring the exploration of the Earth’s geological landscapes.
Described as a unification of ‘weathering debris’, Harris’ works reflect her deep-seated desire to unravel the complexities of her internal landscape. She views the canvas as a geological structure, housing the myriad experiences and forces of nature that shape her artistic expression. With a process characterised by uncertainty and spontaneity, Harris moves the canvas from the floor to the walls of her studio, constantly reorienting it to embrace flux, resulting in a body of work that exudes both restlessness and harmonious composure.
Sand is central to Harris’ symbolic repertoire, a nod to her Caribbean and Cuban heritage. Its gritty texture adds depth to her gestural strokes, while also serving as a link to her familial roots. From overloaded brushes to abrupt scraping, Harris imbues her works with chaos reminiscent of abstract expressionist artists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. Yet, amidst the chaos, a delicate touch exists, manifested in fleeting brushstrokes that evoke an impressionistic sensibility.
Notably, Volcanic Red Sea (2024) draws inspiration from Peter Doig’s Swamped (1990), capturing the moodiness of moonlit lagoons with its hyper-saturated colours and fiery hues. Through her art, Harris seeks to encapsulate the beauty and violence inherent in earthly and celestial phenomena, inviting viewers to embark on a visceral journey through her captivating paintings.
A Volcanic Redsea, 2023-2024
45cm x 60cm x 2.5cm
Oil, oil stick, sand on canvas
Humidity
140cm x 200cm x 3.5cm
Oil on canvas
Midnight Lustre, 2023-2024
55cm x 70cm x 3.5cm
Oil on canvas
Grazed By An Avalanche, 2024
190cm x 200cm x 3.5cm
Oil, oil stick, sand on linen
Sunlight Shadows, 2023-2024
55cm x 70cm x 3.5cm
Oil, oil stick, sand on canvas
Powdery Blossom, 2024
190cm x 200cm x 3.5cm
Oil, oil stick, sand on canvas
About the artist
Savannah Marie Harris (b. 1999, London) studied BA Fine Art at Wimbledon College of Arts and completed her MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art in 2023. Recent exhibitions Bump’, No.9 Cork Street, London (2024); ‘Looking into the Shimmer’, Harlesden High Street, London (2023); ‘Link me at the Sound System ‘23’, Harlesden High Street, London (2023), Independent Art Fair, NY (2023), ‘No.34’, PM/AM, London (2023).