Lisa Exhibits in Washington DC By Wendy J Levy LISA DE PRUDHOE  is an outstanding artist whose Anglo- American-Panamanian back- ground has equipped her with the life experiences that have been invaluable in the develop- ment of her substantial artistic career. Her style is aligned with the Constructivist movement in that her work is orderly, geometric, and architectural, but in addition it is apparent that colour, sound, space and philosophy are very strong influences in her work. “The Other Side of Silence” was an enigmatic yet appropriate title for her exhibition at the Prada Gallery in Washington DC in October 2007. Lisa likes to cre- ate series of paintings, each one being born from the last and each with a common thread. Her “Tempo” series displays bold, vibrant patterns whilst her “Chorus” series is more minimal and controlled. As if a musical instrument in an orchestra, each piece supporting the next, yet each piece being strong enough to stand alone. Looking at De Prudhoe’s work is like gazing into infinity; it is astronomical in the true sense of the word. There is a never ending depth to her paintings that is also suggested in her titles, “Beginningless Past” and “Towards an Unknown”. She creates this vast depth through layers of thin paint and glazes, sometimes as many as forty, building up her signature back- ground giving a smooth, waxy surface on which to build her foreground. Each layer is covered with thousands of small brush- strokes painstakingly applied with a tiny brush, then, as if floating out of the canvas, frag- mented and overlapping shapes that are formed from rich layers of colour giving an amazing 3D effect. Her work is exhilarating; it is visually, intellectually and emotionally stimulating. Lisa De Prudhoe is an extraordi- nary colourist and draughtsman whose work is executed to the highest standard. It is little wonder that she has made such an impression in Panama that her exhibitions at the Habitante Gallery sell out before they officially open and that her work receives critical acclaim from many renowned artists. The importance of her work was confirmed when, in 1999, there was an exhibition of her paintings at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Panama, a privilege rarely bestowed on a living artist. A good abstract painter is a global communicator and I believe that Lisa De Prudhoe is amongst the best. I feel privi- leged to represent her work in England and I compliment and congratulate the Prada Gallery on their staging of this beautiful exhibition in Washington DC. 12 THE ART OBSERVER May 2008 Here at the Wendy J Levy Contemporary Art Gallery we decided to bring our readers up to date with details of a small selection of our gallery artists (a new selection with the next issue). Name:  John Pegg Born: 1949 Studied:  Graduated from Aberdeen University in 1971 Info:  With a history of painters in his family it was inevitable that John would have an artistic flair but music was his first passion. He discovered painting later in life after a friend gave him a sketchbook so he could draw in peace! Preferred medium:  Oils Interesting Fact: John toured with ITV’s ‘The Comedians’ as a member of the banjo band. Name:  Julia Midgley Born:  1948 Studied:  Northwich School of Art and Design, Manchester College of Art and Design Info:  Julia’s work ranges from documentary style sketching to printmaking to bold, emphatic oil paintings. Living locally this diverse artist is the DLA Piper Artist in Residence in Liverpool. Preferred medium: drawing or print Interesting Fact:  Julia was one of a group of English Artists in an exhibition at the Ekaterinbourg Fine Art Museum in Russia in 1997. Name:  Stacey Manton Born: 1971 Studied: Stockport College - Art & Design Info:  Stacey’s work focuses on the people we meet everyday; in the park, in a bar, in a window, the old, the frail, the destitute or the plain comical. This figurative painter truly captures the reality of our daily landscape in his powerful and moving images. Preferred medium:  Oil Interesting Fact:  Stacey has work on show at Manchester Art gallery. He is an avid fly fisherman. Name:  Tricia Niemira Age:  Forever Young! Studied: Manchester University Info:  Tricia’s impressive body of work utilises many different printing tech- niques including monoprint, etching, dry point and collagraph to explore landscape, flowers and still life studies. Her prints are beautifully detailed and expressive and always popular inclusions in the mixed shows at the Wendy Levy Gallery. Preferred medium:  all forms of printmaking. Interesting Fact: A pan European artist- last year Tricia exhibited with a group of French artist’s in Germany and is representing England in the European Artist’s Conference, taking place in Germany. She is learning German! Name:  Reginald Gardner Born:  1948 Studied:  Manchester High School of Art Info:  Reg creates deeply atmospheric paintings depicting North-West scenes focusing on the industrial aspect of the area, the mills and urban life that surround Manchester. Preferred medium:  Oil Interesting Fact:  Reg won his first art competition in the Manchester Evening News aged 12. For further information on any of the artists featured or to arrange viewings of their work please contact the gallery. ARTIST SNAPSHOTS’ American Art Collector Supports Manchester Art Gallery By Gaynor Lloyd A Liam Spencer painting of the Mancunian Way at night was given for auction at Manchester Art Gallery on 15th May. The painting was generously donated by Mr Brian Hanstein, an American litigation lawyer living in Philadelphia, who has become an avid collector of paintings by artists from the north west of England, often planning his trips to coincide with the region’s art exhibitions, particularly those showing the work of Liam Spencer.   Mr Hanstein has been visiting Manchester on a regular basis over the last few years and has become particularly attached to the Manchester Art Gallery which he visits during every trip. Another favourite haunt of this American art collector is the Wendy Levy Gallery in Didsbury. It was during a recent visit to Manchester that Mr Hanstein discussed with Wendy Levy his desire to auction a painting from his collection and give the pro- ceeds to Manchester Art Gallery. Following a discussion between Wendy Levy and Manchester Art Gallery it was decided that the most appropriate occasion to hold the auction was at Manchester Art Gallery’s Annual Dinner on 15th May with celebrity auctioneer, Tim Wonnacott. This exceedingly generous gesture is much appreciated by the City’s recently refurbished gallery, especially as Mr Hanstein has made it clear that the money raised from the sale of this painting can be used in whatever way the gallery deems most appropriate. Therefore, it may be used for the acquisition, either in full or in part, of a new addition to the gallery’s already impressive collection, or for the maintenance and upkeep of the gallery which offers its visitors a free and enjoyable cultural experience. It is hoped that this munificent action by Mr Hanstein will encourage more of our own British collectors to make similar gestures for the benefit and promotion of the visual arts in the north west of England. Details of the auction and the price realised for this Liam Spencer painting will be shown on the ‘News’ page of the Wendy J Levy Contemporary Art website after 15th May. Website address: www.wendyjlevy-art.com. Left to right: Brian Hanstein, Jilma Prada (gallery owner), and Lisa De Prudhoe