The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle-upon-Tyne is showing Deborah Grice’s latest collection of atmospheric landscapes in oil and charcoal, inspired by the philosophy and aesthetics of the 19th century Romantics, but juxtaposed with gently-provoking incongruous graphic forms. By adopting the Romantics’ visual language, she evokes a sense of familiarity in the viewer. 

At first glance, her work appears gentle, timeless and unchallenging, set in an ambiguous space. However, this initial calm is disrupted by the incorporation of sharp, futuristic forms, creating a powerful contrast and exploring an unsettling duality: should we delight in the beauty of the world or be concerned about its precarious future? Her paintings invite us to contemplate people’s intricate relationship with nature, and with each other, offering a glimmer of hope in the process.