Boy on Bike, inspired by a Jurgen Schadeberg photograph. Image: Cath Pater-Lancucki / Jurgen Schadeberg
“I am proud of living in Hackney and I want this to be a celebration of our area,” said artist Cath Pater-Lancucki.
Her new exhibition at Springfield Park Cafe shows off her eye-catching paintings of little pockets of the borough – with water a running theme.
Striking recreations of the West Reservoir, London Fields Lido, the marshes and the River Lea are on display until 15 November.
“My work is informed by my fascination with people in the urban environment, who are unaware of being observed,” Pater-Lancucki told the Citizen.
“I use colour and energy to convey a passion for life and the human condition.
“In this exhibition, I have explored my passion for water and celebrated life in Hackney.”
Springfield Park. Image: Cath Pater-Lancucki
Pater-Lancucki’s art belies her relative inexperience. She has only been painting professionally since the pandemic.
But her eye for composition and detail had already been honed during a 35-year career in set design.
“The Covid lockdowns provided me with the opportunity to sketch and paint and I am now enjoying a new chapter in my life as an artist,” she said.
“My sketchbook goes with me everywhere now.”
She is also keen to pay tribute to late photographer Jurgen Schadeberg, whose shots of the borough – many of which are currently on show at Hackney Museum – have provided inspiration for a number of her paintings.
She explained: “I was doing research in the Hackney Archives for a new project to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Windrush when I came across the work of Jurgen Schadeberg, who documented everyday life in Hackney in the 1970s.
“He was a much-celebrated photographer who worked around the world throughout his life, especially in South Africa. You may recognise his iconic photo of Nelson Mandela in prison, amongst many others.
“I was inspired to create paintings based on some of Schadeberg’s photos after contacting his widow Claudia, who gave her permission.
“I have shared my work with Claudia and a percentage of the sales will go to his family.”
West Reservoir. Image: Cath Pater-Lancucki
Pater-Lancucki has been in the same house in Clapton for 27 years, and her love for the area is clear. She describes it as “the best place to live”.
She wants visitors to Springfield Park Cafe to see her artworks and “recognise the beauty of Hackney and what it has to offer with its open spaces and many activities”.
She added: “I hope that my exuberant use of colour will put a smile on anybody’s face.”
Her paintings can also be enjoyed in permanent displays at the West Reservoir Centre, the Riverside Cafe on the Lea, and Lea Rowing Club.
Cath Pater-Lancucki’s exhibition at Springfield Park Cafe, E5 9EF, runs until 15 November.
For more information, visit springfieldparkcafe.co.uk and cathpater-lancucki.co.uk.
