Shrewsbury artist’s work picked for London’s Royal Academy Exhibition

Joanna Wimberley Smith who lives and works in Shrewsbury was chosen from more than 16,500 entries to have her painting exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly, London, available to view until 18th August. She has also been chosen to have her work on display in The Parade – St Mary’s as part of the Shrewsbury Arts Trail.

The theme of this year’s RA Summer Exhibition was about the space between things and as Joanna explains she chose to look at an overcrowded owls’ nest where even the visiting spider is jostling for space. ‘The expressions on the owls’ faces says it all.’

She was delighted to discover her work ‘No More Room’ sold prior to the exhibition being open to the public, but sad, that in a similar but real life situation where an owls’ nest was featured on TV’s Spring Watch, only one owl survived the over-crowded environment.

’Choosing a natural palette was a change from my previous brightly coloured paintings. With this painting I enjoyed the challenge of expressing myself through pattern and texture, using only acrylic paint on canvas and the black floating frame to emphasis the dark night surrounding them. The painting is very naive in many ways, but so are the owls. Each one has their own individual personality and emotions empathising the dilemma they find themselves in. I tend to paint from the heart and don’t as yet follow any particular style or subject matter. I like to experiment, until I create something that speaks for itself. Art is a language without words and having originally studied English at university and won awards for my short story writing, it is wonderful to return to my first love and escape into a world where my paintings can speak for themselves.’

Joanna has recently undertaken a course in Developing Abstract with the St Ives School of Painting and she will continue to study and look at new approaches to her art. She undertook a course in Art Therapy and previously worked mentoring students with learning difficulties at Ludlow College studying Photography and Graphics. Both her mother and great grandmother were artists, hence as she puts it, she grew up in a studio and art gallery. ‘As children, my brother and I, were always encouraged to draw and there was no shortage of art supplies. Mum just encouraged us to have a second talent and never give up the day job. Art is such a competitive field and only the few actually make a living at it. She worked as an Art Teacher. She died very suddenly in February and it is my greatest regret that she has not been here to witness my success. The last painting I showed her was ‘Joan’ so I am really pleased that she was chosen to feature as part of the Shrewsbury Arts Trail this summer.’

Examples of Joanna’s work can be found on Instagram at Joannaart22. July 2024