The eponymous exhibition is of paintings and
ephemera of artist Rachel Kelly, recently deceased; and the notes that
accompany each item form chapter headings that introduce aspects of her world. The chapters slowly build a picture of her
life and family, but the chronology is sliced and diced to tease and keep the
reader engaged to the end, though the reveals confirm rather than confound
expectations.
Rachel Kelly’s portfolio is broad with
portraits, landscapes and abstract works on show; and Gale follows suit. He sets many a scene with loving descriptions
of the Cornwall landscapes. He portrays
an artist at work, a mother less than perfect, and a family as dysfunctional as
most, bringing out emotional turmoil every bit as effectively as Kelly’s
non-representative art.
It is well enough put together but as the
family’s dramas are exposed those relating to the survivors – husband Anthony,
sons Garfield and Hedley, and wayward daughter Morwenna – turn out to be low
key and rather uninteresting. It is left
to those of the dead – Rachel and son Petroc who died young – to provide the
mystery and spice in the tale.
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