Portraits capture quiet

Narrogin artist Casey Thornton will launch her long-awaited debut solo exhibition “Quietude” tomorrow tonight at Nexis Gallery.

Through a series of exquisitely painted portraits that capture a range of people in states of contemplative solitude, Quietude creates a rare opportunity for visitors to relish a moment of reflection.

“I've always found having those little moments of alone time to relax, recharge and escape from the stresses and anxieties of daily life to be really important in maintaining a sense of wellbeing,” Thornton said.

The show celebrates stillness and introspection as well as the artist’s deep respect for oil-painting portraiture.

“It's a medium and genre I find immensely challenging, but also very rewarding,” Thornton said. “I've always been in awe of portraits that have an almost magical ability to not only capture someone's likeness, but their essence.”

Thornton’s natural aptitude for portraiture was acknowledged in 2008 when she won the Youth Category of the prestigious Black Swan Portraiture Prize, followed by the inclusion of her work in two exhibitions — Year 12 Perspectives at the Art Gallery of WA and Young Originals at the Central Institute of Technology.

Quietude will be on display until May 26.