Sophie Walbeoffe Exhibition


One Off is pleased to present
'A walk through Jerusalem'
An exhibition of works by Sophie Walbeoffe
Private View: Sunday 29 March 2015
Exhibition Run:  29 March to 22 April 2015
Sophie Walbeoffe©Emma Freeman Portraits 2014

Golden Jerusalem, our splintered world
Written by Sophie Walbeoffe

An excerpt from her exhibition catalogue by the same name at The Osborne Studio Gallery, 2 Motcomb Street, London - March 2014


I never imagined I would get the opportunity to live in Jerusalem for
two years and to have a studio deep in the old city where, from the
roof, I could paint three of the most religious sites in the world - the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall.

It was very special to stand on the Via Della Rosa in the same light
that the painters of the Levant were always so keen to capture, actually drawing the fourteen Stations of the Cross. Despite the tensions, there were so many soldiers and cameras watching my every move that one actually felt quite safe.  The greatest risk was either having ones easels and brushes teasingly stolen by children, the occasional pebble flicked ones way, or being pushed out of the way by pilgrims bearing massive wooden crosses.  

The occupation pervades every aspect of life making everyone a victim.  Despite the very obvious segregation the Old City was a melting pot.  I was fascinated by the variation in Jerusalem's people; Christians, Muslims, Jews, all in various and ever more outlandish outfits depending on the time of year or religious day.

It makes me sad that whilst painting my last picture of the Golden Dome standing amongst thousands of white coffins on the Mount of Olives, the friend I was painting with predicted that it would not be long before the whole landscape would change as there was so much pressure to build the third temple.  My heart missed a beat and I felt a chill in the air.

I hope my exhibition will bring Jerusalem alive again to anyone who has visited it before and inspire anyone who has not.
- Booklet of Stations of the Cross with commentary

Press

Business Daily - 2-04-2015 - Tidal wave of activity hits the Nairobi art scene

Preview of Works

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Exhibition openings are usually on the last Sunday of every month, excluding December.  Do join our mailing list so we can add you to our invitation list.