Place of Safety – a painting installation by Kathy Williams

How delighted I was to see and experience Kathy Williams's painting installation at La Falaise Shelter in Ventnor on The Isle of Wight in which she transformed an unassuming landmark into something quite special. Her strategically placed sweeps of colour invigorated the shelter as did her use of perspex sheets which expanded the visual possibilities. Her cylindrical perspex platform effectively announced the installation's presence overlooking the town, while rain droplets clinging to the golden box on which it was mounted  enhanced its textural quality.

I spent several hours at the installation and was interested to watch how different passers-by reacted to it. For example, children posed behind a circular white coloured frame painted on perspex to have their picture taken as did a group of women on their way home from a night out. Others quietly explored the space or spoke to Kathy who was extremely enthusiastic and engaging. I understand she also conducted some painting workshops with school children who learnt about the possibilities of abstract painting.

Kathy encouraged people to take photos of the shelter and compose their own works of art which they could keep on their camera phones after Kathy had dismantled her installation. This I found extremely generous on her part and a tremendous gift to all of us.

When the sun went down and daylight began to fade the luminous paint which Kathy had used started to glow and the shelter came alive. This was an unexpected and magical surprise, like she had created another completely different work of art all together.

I thoroughly enjoyed Kathy's installation and can only highly recommend her work which has a strong community-conscious element to it so that we can all have a share in her vision.

Ian Godley