Horizons Unbound

by Suzanne Leighton

Curated by Doug Gimberg

Main Gallery: 02.10.25 - 13.11.25

Horizons Unbound is an exploration of the emotional resonance and visual poetry found in the natural world. While rooted in physical landscapes I’ve encountered, from mountains and deserts to seascapes, these paintings are not depictions in the traditional sense but rather, they are abstracted interpretations that seek to evoke the stillness, majesty and impermanence of nature through colour, form and texture.

Drawing on personal experiences in the landscape, I aim to distil the essence of a place, its mood, energy and subtle transformations, rather than reproduce its detailed appearance. Rhythmic lines, soft transitions and bold areas of colour echo the interplay of light and shadow, offering a visual language that reflects both the outer environment and our inner emotional landscapes.

This exhibition presents two distinct styles that emerged organically in my practice. In one, I reduce the complexity of the scene to simplified, solid areas of colour, each representing an emotional truth or visual impression. Without conscious intent, the spirit of the place always finds its way through: the quiet of the desert, the grandeur of the mountain or the restless pulse of the sea.

The second approach embraces spontaneity and the unexpected by applying colours thickly, and scraping these across the surface, allowing hues to interact in unpredictable ways. This process brings a sense of play, surrender and discovery, echoing nature’s own randomness and rhythm.

Through Horizons Unbound, I hope to share a visual meditation on our shared connection to the land: a celebration of its power and fragility. I invite viewers to pause, reflect and feel their way into the timeless stories carried in light, shadow and horizon lines, while exploring the powerful impact that colour, form and creativity have on our wellbeing.

Ruby Wilson