An exhibition of drawings, paintings and etchings by artist Penny Somerville of Flat Holm Island is be displayed at the Norwegian Church Art Centre from June 28 until July 3.
Penny a renowned painter, printmaker and glass artist has a strong link with the island. She explained: “I first visited the island 30 years ago, as I remember my father telling me that he had been born on Flat Holm. I became intrigued by my family’s link to the island.”
When Penny started researching her family history she discovered her father, Ralph Alfred Erskine Somerville’s birth certificate and found that her grandfather, also Ralph Alfred Somerville had been stationed on the island in the late 19th century as Master Gunner, Royal Artillery in charge of the Victorian fortifications that were designed to repel a French invasion.
Her grandfather lived there with his wife, Charlotte, with three of his six children, including Penny’s father who was actually born on the island.
In 2009 Penny went to Flat Holm for seven visits during the year, staying several days each time to capture the island’s beauty and to find out more about the place which had such strong connections to her family.
Describing her work Penny said: “This work represents a new direction, initially dictated by weather conditions where minimal drawing equipment leads to monochromatic.
“I made sketchbook drawings and water color sketches on the island and then took these back to the studio, where more considered etchings were made. A sketch might take five minutes but an etching might take three weeks of work on the copper plate to achieve the battered and archaeological atmosphere achieved in the prints.”
The exhibition of Penny’s work will run from June 28 until July 3 and also coincides with the Flat Holm Society’s fund-raising concert on July 3. The concert held at the Norwegian Church will feature Barry Choral Society and members of the Flat Holm Society who will present an audio-visual story of Flat Holm.
Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “Penny’s link to Flat Holm Island is fascinating to hear about and many visitors to the island may not be aware that people used to live on the island. It’s an honour that Penny has chosen Flat Holm as her inspiration and I am looking forward to seeing her work.”
For more information on the exhibition contact Natalie Taylor, Flat Holm Manager 02920 877912 or the Norwegian Church Art Centre 02920 877959
