ELEMENTAL - contemporary tonalism ​by SiLKA

ELEMENTAL is the inaugural exhibition by two local artists SiLKA and Tiina Power. Both originate from overseas (UK and Finland respectively). This exhibition elevates the traditionally more muted tonalist landscape style to a more exciting contemporary character. They are supported by Susan King (originally from Ireland) with a display of her elegant sterling silver stacker rings.

Tonalism is an impressionistic style depicting atmosphere and feel by employing the tonal qualities of a limited colour palette. Developed in America in the 1880s to 1915, tonalism often features images of calm twilight scenes. The later Australian movement based in Melbourne used somewhat lighter palettes with more contrast.

SiLKA stands for ‘simple living kiwi artist’, it’s the moniker by which the painting has been promoted online and it’s stuck. As he says “it didn’t do Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz any harm to have a different name as a painter”. The name is actually Paul King, but he has a number of other business and academic interests, so SiLKA works for the painting.

He is a long-time admirer of Turner but had not painted in a serious way since school. A return to painting in 2020 was sparked by SkyArt’s Landscape Artist of the Year. This led to a friendly, encouraging, and ongoing correspondence with 2018 winner Jen Gash after having discovered the YouTube channel of English artist Stuart Davies. Davies’s viral video ‘the illusion of detail’ was the ultimate catalyst to head out and buy an easel, paints, and some canvases. It was a shock to him and pretty much everyone else that he did in fact have some talent!

A personal acquaintance formed with Stuart Davies, who was formally artistic director of Country Life magazine and National Geographic and a professional artist since the 70s. It was he who suggested that paintings be shared on a Facebook group for tonalist artists. This has provided a peer group with whom to swap ideas and gather inspiration and new friends. It is also through Stuart Davies that he became aware of the landscape work of James Naughton, how has along with others has become a significant influence.

Turner is still a towering inspiration, alongside the Welsh landscape artist Wilson and of course Constable. However, the tonalist artists such as Whistler, Inness, Crane, Dabo, Eaton, Harrison, and others are great sources of inspiration.

Paul and Susan King live high up on a lifestyle block overlooking the Kaipara just South of Gibbs Farm, near Kaukapakapa. Paul plays in the musical folk roots duo King and Power with Tiina’s husband Chris.