Soo Hitchin on Peter Frie
We were delighted to have Soo Hitchin with us at the Private View for Peter Frie’s new exhibition: The view belongs to everyone. Upon opening the exhibition, she gave a wonderful speech. Her words encapsulated Peter’s work beautifully.
Soo Hitchin is an art collector belonging to various art charities and committees, for which she helps fundraise. She is passionate about theatre and the arts.
Below are some excerpts:
“Peter’s landscapes draw the viewer in… they belong to anyone and can be anywhere. There are no people, no buildings, no signs of human habitation. So the landscape really is the focus.”
“When I first looked at them I thought of Caspar David-Friedrich, the sublime, and of Constable, and of Turner,” and turning to Peter she says, “…if you don’t mind my saying that!” She continues, “But Peter’s landscapes are not places, they come from his mind and his imagination, and they are remarkable for that. It’s a wonderful thing.”
“His landscapes could be sunrise, sunset, or the heat of the day. The colours of the sky and the land, reflecting the light of a particular time of day come forth from Peter’s imagination. And the severe white painted border from the landscapes may be for Peter to come back to for a further bit of paint, or a space for us to finish the work in our imaginations.”
Speaking of Peter Frie’s bronze trees, Soo Hitchin says, “(the tree sculptures) could exist in any or many landscapes, but here they are, from Peter’s imagination, to ours. From his hands, to ours.
“And really, who else but a landscape painter would sculpt trees like this? They are heavy, solid, and tactile pieces, pleasing to the eye, and engaging us once again in the landscape of memory.”
Pictured: Soo Hitchin giving the opening speech for Peter Frie's exhibition, ~The view belongs to everyone
After Soo’s touching speech, Peter added “…I am so proud for being here, having this fantastic show after staying in the studio for almost a year painting these works.
“And now I come here Tuesday afternoon to find them hanging up already. For the first time in my life I didn’t have an opinion about the hanging!”
Peter Frie: The view belongs to everyone continues until 2 July.
Click here to find directions for visiting Roche Court Sculpture Park.