Press Release: Rosemary Valadon

Rosemary Valadon (b.1947)
Euphoria; The Tea Party
Opening Saturday 17 October 2009, 3-5PM

Eva Breuer Art Dealer is pleased to announce the opening of exhibition of new paintings by Rosemary Valadon, Euphoria; The Tea Party. The lush works depict richly painted floral teacups, and centre around the pleasures, comfort and ceremony of drinking tea.

Valadon has taken her inspiration for these works from a source most would consider disheartening rather than uplifting – the recent economic downturn. The half full/half empty cups invite the viewer to discover if they view the world in an optimistic or pessimistic way, while in some of the works such as Gypsy Rose the cups themselves seem to jut out of the picture plane, suggesting that one could jump into them and drown their sorrows. The richness of the exteriors of cups of Euphoria, American Beauty and Arcadia, amongst others, provide an antidote to recessional thinking, a quiet moment of lush beauty and excess. And, as the economy picks up, and spring arrives, the lone piece of lemon (which sometimes appears in the cup) is being joined by various spring blossoms – pear, apple, and nectarine.

Valadon, herself an indulgent tea drinker, has included teacups in her paintings for years and has always loved beautiful china. After commencing this series Valadon has been loaned and given favourite cups from many of her friends and family.

Rosemary Valadon’s works are held in numerous public and corporate collections around the country including that of the National Portrait Gallery, Macquarie University, Muswellbrook Art Prize Collection and BHP Billiton. She has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize, Sulman Prize and Mosman Art Prize multiple times, and has won the Portia Geach Memorial Award and Blake Religious Art Prize.