Arkwright Elaine

Article by Frederic Hountondji
The Journal Cornwall
June 12, 2013

For the first time in its history, the Centre Culturel de Cornwall showcases at Corrid'Art the works of an artist who made batik. Élaine Arkwright invites the public to come and discover a unique art of its kind and exceptional paintings made with skill, care, attention to detail and creativity.

The bite of the painting came to her from her aunt and uncle whom she admired the works. She then chose the world of watercolour to take his first steps in the trade.

After a few years, Mrs Arkwright opts ??for batik, which she says is his best way to show and experience the taste of freedom, freedom of expression.

In her room, you realize that her brush sneaks into every nook and cranny of our environment: people in the street, leaving the church on Sunday, sunset, inside a child's bedroom, the river flowing ... it's the lives of men with nature around them that transpires in the paintings of the artist, whose favourite color is yellow. "It gives light, life and heat. I am very happy with this color, "she said.

Topics covered in the tables and their treatment hold the attention of many visitors. Councillor Elaine MacDonald was pleasantly surprised by the strength she found in a painting where everything seems in motion. "We feel that everything is moving in the work of this batik artist. We do not get bored. It's alive," MacDonald said.

Micheline Tanguay, a painting teacher, stresses the need to have patience, to succeed in making batik. "It is several hours of work. And it takes talent to find the characters, themes and stories to tell, like Élaine does. It is not a copy. She makes its interior talk and I am delighted."

The aim, in presenting these tables to the public is to promote an art which is far from popular in the community, said Suzanne Villeneuve, coordinator of the Centre Culturel de Cornwall, recognizing that the artist knows how to adapt the art of the subjects she chooses with the "batik which is difficult to learn and do."