Home Sweet Home – an exhibition of the work of Beverley Fitzwilliam Harries

by Simone Hamel-Smith

Trinidad’s art lovers are in for a treat when In2Art Gallery debuts its exhibition of the work of local artist Beverley Fitzwilliam Harries on December 5^th. This will be Beverley’s second solo show, the first having been last year in St. Lucia.
After studying Fine Art overseas, Beverley returned to Trinidad and taught Art at Bishop Anstey High School for nineteen years. During this time she worked in watercolour and participated in several group shows. After resigning her teaching position she spent the next decade living in Jamaica and St. Lucia with her husband, golf professional Chris Harries, and raising a family. It was in St. Lucia, surrounded by the island's lush and exquisite beauty that Beverley began to paint in earnest, exploring different themes and media. She joined artist friends in nearby Barbados where she attended workshops freeing her style and expanding her horizons.

The show is aptly named Home Sweet Home and is a celebration of tropical imagery. Beverley’s newest work is vibrant and joyful and her pleasure at finally returning home is evident in every piece.

Several of the pieces are done in acrylic on canvas and feature bold strokes and vivid pigment. Her Beach Garden depicts palm trees with gnarled trunks battered by wind, bent toward the sea and casting mirror-image shadows on the ground beneath. In the distance the surf pounds the shoreline. In Coconut Deyas, a group gathers in a shallow river, enjoyment clearly discernable on their stylized faces as they set the deyas afloat. In the background fern fronds kiss the water. It is enough to make the heart of an expatriate ache.

My new favorite though is Saut D’Orange, a depiction of lush, tropical foliage, thick and dense with a proliferation of undergrowth and tangling vines. I remember how such tropical forests are alive with sound, smell moist and earthy, and how one can almost see the foliage pulsing with life; as if one stood still long enough a vine might twine around an ankle and attempt to draw one into the landscape. Again Beverley’s love for her home land shines through clearly.

Beverley has also done some pieces in wax resist technique on Japanese masa paper. One such piece is Caraillie and is an elevation of the mundane to something gorgeous and spectacular. The piece is brash and lovely, the tendrils curling around the vined fruit like fireworks.

The venue for the exhibition is in itself spectacular. Christine Cambridge, owner and curator of the In2Art gallery in St. Ann’s has created an exceptional space. It is bright and spacious, featuring clean tile work, modern lighting, a soothing color scheme and a Japanese fountain all making for a very Feng Shui feel to the milieu. The combined effect is a perfect backdrop to showcase artwork.

“Home Sweet Home,” an exhibition of the work of Beverley Fitzwilliam –Harries runs from December 5^th until December 15^th at the In2Art Gallery, 201 Aldegonda Park, 7 St. Ann’s Road, St. Ann’s. Gallery hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday and 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday. Christine looks forward to welcoming you.

Beach Garden

Coconut Deyas

Saut D'Orange View

Carallie