Acrylic, oil, lino-cuts, pastel and mixed media collage, is there any medium this artist can't handle? The selection on display here says 'obviously not'. The colours and moods of these works are bright and joyful making the experience a happy one indeed.
Colour is beautifully manipulated in all these artforms. Some works are monochromatic with minimal subject definition. For example in Oneness we see a muted face emerging from a ground of yellow flowers. Polychrome images like At Home, where flowers rest on a a blue check table cloth, are accomplished with a sense of rhythm in the hues and their values. Both these examples are acrylic works yet the hand painted lino-cut prints provide the same level of interest in the use of colour.
Selentin has employed a variety of inspiration for her work, from ancient mythology to modern day reality, with a subtle nod to Gustav Klimt along the way. Mythology is represented beautiful by Leda. In Leda's Dance the lady's hips swing wildly yet there is a look of overwhelming calm on her face. The swan is wrapped around her like a cloak, she dances to invite and entice her lover. Modernity is represented by an exhausted woman who has fallen flat on her back in a garden chair, on the beach, or next to a vase of bright flowers. All are colourful compositions that delight as every female who sees this exhibition will relate to this recumbent figure. Klimt's 'The Kiss' is removed from the realm of love and placed in the arena of harassment. Reptilian Kiss has a sleazy looking moustached man nuzzling a bored lady who seems to emerge from a richly patterned golden dress. This must have been painted with tongue firmly planted in the cheek.
All the exhibits are fine but the smallest works provide the gems of the exhibition, particularly the red Houses on the Hill and the colourful Flowers Near the Little House. This collection of collage, acrylic and mixed media works seem precious with their rich colours and gold leaf. I found myself returning to them often and finding even more of interest with each viewing.