With British farming facing a crisis, it is heartening to find that Bath-based artist Joanne Cope has forged a successful career painting and championing the cause of cattle.
Animals have long been a popular subject in art, but contemporary takes on animal imagery – whether through hyperrealism, abstraction, or surrealism – have grown in popularity. Joanne’s work attracts a broad range of patrons, from both rural and urban areas, indicating that cattle still hold a significant place in our hearts and have a unique ability to connect us to the land.
Originally from New Zealand, Joanne’s early affinity with cows was evident. “I had no fear of cattle as a child and would climb into a field with a herd and lie down. After a few minutes, the cattle would become curious and slowly approach. Eventually, there would be a dozen wet noses tentatively sniffing me. I felt completely at ease and was fascinated by them,” she recalls.
During summer holidays as a child, Cope and her siblings would ride horses bareback, oblivious to any risks. It is no surprise, then, that Joanne’s other, more recent passion is capturing the form and presence of horses. Horses possess a solemnity and grace, and Cope’s portrayal of them – often emerging from darkened backgrounds – results in subtle yet powerful paintings with a sense of stillness and quietude. She hopes both her equine and cattle paintings evoke an introspective moment, inviting viewers to engage with the subjects on a deeper level.
Cope is a contemporary realist painter who works in oils on canvas. As the title of this exhibition, Living Light, suggests, it is the combination of dramatic lighting and striking composition that brings Joanne’s paintings of cattle and horses to life. In her portraits, she aims to capture the character of her subjects by placing them against pared-down backgrounds, reminiscent of a misty sky or a subdued landscape. Cope blends realism with abstraction, and this minimal approach firmly places each animal as the focal point of the painting.
Trained in Visual Communications and Design, Joanne worked as a graphic designer in London to support herself while pursuing her dream of becoming a full-time fine artist. She held her first solo exhibition in Bath in 2008.
Well-established as a cattle painter, Joanne received her first equestrian commission more than ten years ago, and in the last two years, her equine commissions have steadily increased. Her paintings are in collections across the U.S., Asia, Australasia, Switzerland, Jersey, Germany, and Canada.
Joanne’s work continues to evolve, and her latest collection of paintings will be on show in the centre of Bath from December 1st for two weeks. Contact Joanne directly if you would like preview images.
