A New Kerry Darlington Launch
There is always a sense of anticipation around the announcement that there will soon be a new unique edition released from Kerry Darlington. Much like the writings which have inspired some of her most acclaimed works, collectors eagerly await the next ‘chapter’ in the immersive world Darlington has imagined. A succinct lexicon of reoccurring motifs have been present even in the earliest of works, enduring through the many re-workings and evolutions of her fantastical narratives. Promoting an incredible sense of trust, collectors enjoy the rare ability to rely on Darlington’s unwavering talent whilst remaining intrigued and impatient for new compositions to be unveiled.
Faerie Glen: The Latest Instalment of the Nature’s Faeries collection
Soon to join the comprehensive Nature’s Faeries collection which the artist has been building since 2011, Faerie Glen is the highly anticipated next instalment from Kerry Darlington’s version of The Otherworld. For perhaps the first time, the magical location which inspired her new work has been revealed. The Welsh village of Betws-y-coed sits within a natural beauty spot around an hour and a half from Darlington’s Prestatyn based studio. A haven adjacent to the River Conwy, the nature reserve is situated within the Snowdonia National Park and is steeped in the rich history of its vibrant country. The green glades of the ‘Fairy Glen’ part to reveal an impressive ravine along which waterfalls cascade with happy abundance. The artist has been long enthralled by Celtic folklore and the scenery has been the backdrop for stories told by the ancient druids.
Like so many of Darlington’s influences, amongst them the Grimm’s Fairy Tales and the works of Hans Christian Anderson, the legends of the Tylwyth Teg (Welsh Faeries) often have darker themes which delve into the perils of greed and possession. Instead choosing to focus on the wholesome and enchanting, Darlington casts the elves and pixies of her Faerie Glenin moon-drenched hues, hearts warm and friendly though with a penchant for mischief. Under a full moon an enthusiastic hustle of prancing free-folk spin around a gnarled timeworn tree. Deftly painted, the bark and branches are in muted warm greys, the ideal tone to supercharge the vibrant glowing wings and stripped legs of the faeries. The reaching roots illuminate the forest floor in carnival colours; a small group of delicate imps are silhouetted in shining whites. With a larger scale than predecessor sell-out edition Moon Songfrom 2017,the piece has a strong symmetry to classic composition Celtic Twilight. All feature little ‘moments’ for the collector to discover and enjoy; Faerie Glen is no exception with snoozing pixies in the branches taking a break from the festivities below and yoyo-clutching boy faeries to be found.
The World of Kerry Darlington: a Map Unveiled
Uniting themes of adventure across fictional multiverses, the concept of the magical Otherworld has formed whole collections for Darlington. Some have been born into comprehensive series directly based upon the writings of J.M Barrie’s Neverland and Lewis Carrol’s Looking Glass. Some wider influences including Philip Pullman’s contemporary Dark Materials Trilogy which narrates the war waged against the heavens, as well as the early mythical poetry of W B Yeats can be traced more subtly through Darlington’s portfolio. With the artist so heavily invested in the beloved fantasy genre as told by these great writers, it was perhaps therefore only a matter of time before her version of The Otherworld world began to be plotted; placing pencil to paper Faerie Glen is the first work to be placed onto newly designed map. In what promises to be an evolving project of Tolken-esque proportions, Darlington’s alternative reality will be given physical place on what will surely become an ever-immersive atlas to aid collectors in navigating and travelling her many collections.
The dim grey sands with light,
Far off by furthest rosses
We foot it all the night,
Weaving olden dances,
Mingling hands and mingling glances
Till the moon has taken flight;
To and fro we leap
And chase the frothy bubbles,
While the world is full of troubles
And is anxious in its sleep”
- Excerpt from The Stolen Child by W B YEATS
Transformation from Original Painting to Unique Limited Edition
Taking some weeks to complete, in many instances the full scale original painting on Darlington’s easel is built from delicate acrylic handiwork, bonded with layers of matte resin. Applying the technique to cultivate a beautifully translucent impression, there is much preparation to shape the density of tone which sits below the final surface. Working between soft frequencies and harder line, transforming the intricacies of the original painted Faerie Glen to unique limited edition is of equal importance to the artist. Constantly innovating the production of such editions, experimentation has led Darlington to introduce the first ‘sunken’ element to her complex three-dimensional pieces. Here, the great luminous full moon has been set back playing with the perspective of background and foreground, whilst adding a wonderful new experience to the tactile nature of her unique editions. Sealed in the signature gloss resin associated with her sell out works, and featuring different elements from piece to piece, collectors are assured of a handcrafted bespoke edition with as much thought and care as the original painting itself.
Interwoven in the beauty, magic and heritage of the British Isles, Faerie Glen tells the tale of folk in simpler times with smiles in abundance. Join Kerry Darlington and Wyecliffe Galleries and become part of the incredible community of sharing and culture of storytelling which sets her collector base apart from any other.
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