Reflecting on J.M.W. Turner's painting Shoreham, Sally muses on the connection between art and life. She describes her sensory experience arriving in Shoreham, contemplates the tranquility depicted in the painting, and reflects on the lives of fishermen portrayed in the artwork.
Paintings carry a biography waiting to be captured by the light of imagination.
The painting Shoreham evokes personal memories and associations, weaving a rich narrative that intertwines with its visual elements.
Deep dives
The evocative power of paintings and imagination
The podcast explores the idea that paintings carry a biography, waiting to be captured by the light of imagination. The host invites listeners to enter into the world of a famous painting by Joseph Mallard William Turner, depicting Shoreham harbor. The painting, begun in 1826 and completed in 1830, portrays the basin of light, the movement of clouds, and the white elements in the scene. The host reflects on her personal connection to Shoreham, her grandmother's ties to the area, and her fascination with the light and atmosphere captured by the painting, which offers a space for contemplation, escape, and cleansing.
The interconnectedness of the painting and personal memories
The podcast delves into the various elements depicted in Joseph Mallard William Turner's painting and how they evoke personal memories and associations. The host describes the harbor, the sight and smell of the sea, the flint walls, the churchyard of St. Mary de Horror, and the fishermen going about their work. Through her memories and imagination, she weaves a rich narrative that intertwines with the painting's visual elements. The podcast highlights the movement and stillness within the painting and the sense of connection between the personal and the artistic, evoking a desire to return to the place of her grandmother's life, Edna May Turner.
In this episode, Sally muses on J.M.W. Turner’s famous 1830 painting, Shoreham. Join her for reflections on art, life, and on writing from the faint lines of existence.
Turner’s work makes frequent appearances in Sally’s latest book, The Green Lady, available from all good booksellers.
This episode was edited and produced by James Bowen.
Special thanks to Andrew Smith, Violet Henderson, Kris Dyer, and Maeve Magnus.
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