Koi (Crimson, Prussian Blue, Sienna, Yellow) by Beatrice Hasell-McCosh

Koi (Crimson, Prussian Blue, Sienna, Yellow)
Beatrice Hasell-McCosh
2019
Oil on paper
15 x 20cm
£650

Beatrice Hasell-Mccosh had a sell out show at Blue Shop Cottage in 2020 with a show of similar works titled OKASHI.

Beatrice Hasell-Mccosh (b.1990, UK) makes work that explores emotional themes through the lens of traditional landscape painting and representation of natural form. Drawing is vital to her practise and she travels widely making multiple small studies closely observed from life which she uses to make large-scale paintings back in her studio. This exhibition is a collection of work inspired by a trip to Japan specifically focusing on the Koi fish observed there. The various watercolour and graphite drawings made from life during the time spent travelling around the country resulted in small scale oil on paper works and larger oil paintings created using memory, the initial sketches and drawing on the historic symbolism of the fish as reference points. Beatrice works as much from memory as from the studies and, in playing with scale, the focus of importance gives way from direct figurative representation to a flattened abstraction, with aesthetic choices relating to composition, texture and gestural use of colour taking on the primary importance. Music is a significant part of her work, interlinking with the studies to spark memories and rhythms. “The title of the show Okashi unites the imagery of the koi carp with the feeling of wabi sabi, beauty in imperfection or the acceptance of transience. This idea is one that I have been drawn to continuously and one which resonated with me above all during my time in japan.‘’ – Beatrice Hasell-McCosh