Farewell 1325-2018

Farewell 1325 – 2018

Philippa Langrish

The origin of “Farewell” can be traced back to 1325.  However, it seems that the constant departures and arrivals of life are an intrinsic part of human kind.  Is it within our nature to be forever seeking new horizons, on a quest for adventure despite those we leave behind?  Poignantly this exhibition which chimes of sea”farers”, voyagers, comings and goings is hosted in a hotel where transient life is so deeply bedded. 

Those that we bring with us on our journeys have little choice in the matter:  Our children.  The paths we carve out for them, the friends we ask them to leave, the strings we gently cut as if releasing something back to the ocean.  Children play a strong role in the presence of Philippa’s landscapes.  They are the inheritors of the sunsets we drink up.  They will become the caretakers of the places dear to our hearts.  Thus, interwoven into the work is the importance of conservation and respect for the environment. Echoing the adage that has often been painted onto welcome signs “leave nothing but your footprints”.

The works in this exhibition set out to capture the feelings of being divided by a tryptic of three worlds:  The Philippines, UK and France.  Separated by Oceans and Continents these contrasting landscapes move between their rhythm of sunset and sunrise whilst children grow older.

The works are inspired by a number of converging threads;  “Le Petit Prince” (who leaves his small planet to embark on a journey to other worlds), tribal designs of the Philippines (in particular the Mangyan), and the landscapes of Puerta Galera and Batangas (Philippines) and Haute Savoie (France) . 

Largely autobiographical Philippa Langrish has created a series of figurative, abstract landscapes using the hand print techniques of drypoint, collagraph, rubber-cut and oil on board, to illustrate the trichotomy of her family’s nomadic life.

By uprooting ourselves from the familiar we are given the great privilege of experiencing different cultures and seeing incredible places. Yet by leaving a temporary footprint do we simply carry less weight than the “unbearable lightness” of a butterfly flitting through the lives of others?  How would the same life evolve if we chose to stay and to sink deep and heavy roots to a place called home?