Aubergine and flowers 1968

Editor: So, here we have Mary Fedden's "Aubergine and flowers" from 1968, rendered with acrylic on canvas. The striking blue background is almost jewel-like, and I can’t help but feel this naive joy radiating from the painting. The colours feel surprisingly bold for a still life. How would you interpret this work? Curator: That 'naive joy,' as you put it, I adore it too. For me, it's about how Fedden elevates the ordinary – aubergines and flowers – into something celebratory. Her application of paint, it’s almost childlike, which invites us to see the world with that fresh, unburdened gaze. The deep blues and purples create a richness but also kind of...anchor the lightness. Don't you think? Editor: Definitely! It’s bold, yet peaceful. Did this 'naive' style align with any movement from that period, or was she truly forging her own path? Curator: While elements of Post-Impressionism might whisper through her work, she very much carved her own delightful niche. It's this singular voice, isn’t it, that makes her paintings so recognizable, so…herself. The simplified forms allow the vibrant colours and textures to take center stage. Do you find yourself drawn to the unconventional composition as well? Editor: I hadn't considered it that way before, but absolutely. Thanks, I learned so much more! Curator: My pleasure! It's amazing how much a fresh perspective can reveal, isn't it? It makes me wonder, what other delightful surprises await us in the world of art?