New art exhibition, 'The Journey/Viewpoint'

What happens to our sense of self during times of inner turmoil? How might the ongoing refugee crisis be affecting our subconscious mind? Explore these questions and more through an exhibition of striking new paintings by Kent-based artist Sian Bennett, opening in May at the Camden Image Gallery in London.

The exhibition features two distinct series of work. 'The Journey' chronicles the emotional and creative challenges the artist faced while recovering from a serious injury. The loss of independence and extended periods of social isolation, combined with the high profile of civil unrest and mass migration in the news, led to an intense period of self-reflection and exploration of ‘the Other’ that exists within each of us.

The second series, 'Viewpoint', features abstract reconstructions of the coastal landscapes of Whitstable and the Faversham marshes. Despite the powerful imagery offered by these environments, Sian found that she had to retain a human element to bring the fractured pieces of space back into a coherent whole.

Elena Chimonas, owner and managing director of the Camden Image Gallery, has previously displayed Sian’s paintings and describes the new series as ‘exciting and vibrant’. “Sian’s work has so many layers’” she says. “The more time you spend viewing each piece, the more information is revealed”.

'The Journey/Viewpoint' will be on display at the Camden Image Gallery for a limited time only, from 21-26 May 2016.