A NEW exhibition of paintings by painter, printmaker, ceramicist and photographer Wendy Tate has opened at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT).

A former kennel maid and missionary, Wendy did a degree and a masters in painting in the late 80s, then spent several years as a tutor in Fine Art at Westwood with the Grimsby Institute, during which time she exhibited regularly around the UK.

Wendy said: “At first, I concentrated on the figure, and how I could express various human states, particularly in relation to the dislocation we can feel between our hearts and the pace and expectation we set ourselves on a daily level, as well as the loneliness and depression that can leave us with.

“I wanted people to look at my work and feel understood; that there was empathy to be found in something that was made out of the same experiences that they were feeling. “

Wendy added: “After having a family I hit a brick wall and decided to change my subject matter but wanted to keep the same subtext. It’s taken several years to find the pictorial language that hopefully expresses a similar thing.

“Nature is often used as a metaphor for human states and when I’m in the midst of a forest or walking on the beach I am very aware of the majesty of nature. It helps me put things into perspective again.

“Sometimes it echoes my mood and I can almost feel empathy from it; that I am not alone in the universe. Someone, something, knows me far more than I know myself.

“Fellow artist Rob Moore and I have set up painting studios and Alma Printmaking Studio in the centre of Scarborough, where we continue, with a passion, to encourage and teach people to express themselves via exploring differing art forms, through workshops, tutorials and one-to-one mentoring.

“It’s a privilege to be exhibiting locally, in such an iconic place. All the work that will be on view has been inspired by the landscape in and around Scarborough and it is my hope that it will inspire others to get out there and take comfort in its heartbeat.”

Soulscapes can be seen in the gallery from March 11 to April 20. Free entry. The gallery is open from 10am to 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays, except during show times.