This month, the Torch Theatre’s Joanna Field Gallery is welcoming local artist Alison Kaye Fowler back for an exhibition of her latest work. 

Alison is a mixed media Artist who grew up in Pembrokeshire, and now lives in Llangwm on the Cleddau estuary. After graduating with Honours from a Fine Art-Painting Degree at The University of Wales, Cardiff in 2005, Alison felt the draw to return to Pembrokeshire in 2006 and has been creating textured, moody and dramatic seascape paintings of the stunning Pembrokeshire coastline ever since. 

“Pembrokeshire is such a special place to be. No two days are ever the same so there is always something new to see. The way that the sky, the sea and the reflections on the sand talk to each other really fascinates me”. 

But it’s Alison’s use of material that really sets her apart. Having been encouraged to experiment with materials during her Foundation year in Pembrokeshire College (pre-University), she developed a keen interest in using a range of media to create her paintings including wood dye, varnish and household paints. 

During her time in University, living on a student budget; she began to source her materials second hand from charity shops, the local tip and from rummaging in friends’ sheds and garages, recycling and reusing people’s unwanted paints and varnishes. “Initially it was purely to save money. I found that using expensive acrylics made me too precious and it restricted my creativity. When I use paint that I have picked up for next to nothing, I can really slap it on my canvas without being frugal! 15 years on I just don’t know any different. ”

Alison’s exhibition will be in place until the end of March and can be viewed during Box Office opening hours, Tuesday-Saturday, 11am - 8pm.