143A SenSe of PlAce -
comPArAtive lAndScAPeS
following A 50yr
retroSPective in oriel
mon by victor cirefice At
down ArtS centre
At the age of seventy and having supported himself for nearly 50 years by painting,
Victor felt it was a good time to review his work by putting together two exhibitions.
One of his roots, work and themes in Anglesey and an overview of his landscapes
here in Downpatrick. Here in this environment Victor has been fortunate to function
as an artist and organic small holder married with two children who flourished over
here.
Victor’s own projects show what an enriching experience it is for him to live here.
From his residency as the artist at Ladies Day at the Downpatrick Races to doing the
organics course at Greenmount Agricultural College in the late nineties, to covering
fell races in the Mournes. “By living a simple life and seeing everything through one’s
work, and not the other way around, one is able to bypass the conundrum of what
is good or bad art, what is relevant and dare I say, what is contemporary! Landscape
painting goes well beyond a nice view or a pretty picture to an expression of the
relationship between man and nature. Painting in plain air as in the Taoist approach
is fast and immediate, capturing something that can’t be put into words; alternatively,
when the joy and wonder is lost all that is left is technique and prosaic detail. It is ironic
that landscape painting is regarded as a lesser art form, in art history from Leonardo
to the impressionists the brush with nature has been pivotal and instrumental to the
development of artistic expression as we know it and today is more important than
ever in a world of materialism and rampart ecological destruction.”
Victor’s exhibition runs from Friday 30 August to Saturday 28 September during
Down Arts Centre’s opening hours, admission is free.mendA’S legAcy
to QUeen’S
One of three siblings, Menda Lambrinudi (pictured here
with her mother and older sister), was born in 1930 in
Bayswater, England and studied English at Girton College,
Cambridge. After graduating in 1950 she worked at an
interior design magazine, before deciding in 1959 on a
change of career to support her interest in the human mind.
Menda came to Queen’s to complete a Certificate in
Psychiatric Studies which enabled her to fulfil her ambition
to be a social worker, counsellor and psychiatrist, finding
employment at St George’s Hospital and later, at St Guy’s
Hospital, London.
Outside of work, she was a very talented artist until she
suddenly became blind later in life and was forced to give
up her passion. In her will Menda supported 13 charities,
including those educational institutions that had made her
career possible.
Her generous legacy gift to Queen’s will be instrumental
in supporting students in the School of Social Sciences,
Education and Social Work to develop specialist
knowledge, understanding and skills to equip them to
undertake professional careers in mental health, education
or social care settings.
After providing for loved-ones, and when the time is right
for you, you can use a gift in your will to inspire the greatest
minds, invest in life-changing research and build a brighter
future.
For further information on how you can leave a legacy
gift to support an area of research or education at
Queen’s which you are passionate about, contact Susan
Wilson on +44 (0)28 9097 3162.
The Word