Review of Claire Francesca Pettinati's Images of London exhibition. Published in the West End Extra, exhibitions section.

By Alastair O'Dell, 16/04/2004.

CAPTIVATING CAPITAL

In her first solo show in London, Claire Francesca Pettinati celebrates the capital with a collection of vibrant views of the city.

The Images of London exhibition at the Mall Galleries displays a mix of styles, but the highlight is a group of abstract cityscapes that gives the collection its 'drawing with paint' subtitle.

Pettinati represents the city's iconic buildings with outlines of acrylic paint applied with a syringe, almost appearing like icing, lending inherently static objects a more animated, playful appearance.

Perhaps the most successful canvases on show are filled with bright, bold colours arranged in strips or patterns, reminiscent of swinging London.

Her triptych of Albert, with a silhouette of the Albert Memorial, with the Royal Albert Hall in the background, set on a stripy canvas echoes various Bridget Riley paintings.

And in several other works the artist appears to be harking back to the 1960s, infusing her work with psychedelia.

The emphasis throughout is on fun.

The artist's enthusiasm about her subject is ever present and favourite views and symbols - especially the London Eye - are present in several paintings.

Mixed in with the abstract pieces are more traditional acrylic cityscapes. These have a strangely Mediterranean feel and are less successful in capturing the spirit of London.

These more detailed oil paintings sometimes stray into an idealised view of London. The sky surrounding London's most recognisable monuments is always bright and plenty of bright red busses fill the street.

The collection is connected by an optimism and cheeriness that Pettinati brings to her adopted city, from a childhood spent living in exotic countries.

Perhaps the most charming aspect of the exhibition is a central display case packed with sketches and watercolours. Here she shows a lightness of touch, an impressive instinct for colour and a sincere love of drawing.

News article in West End Extra, Xtra Diary Section