Walkthrough of recent exhibition of new mixed media works on canvas and board at 54 The Gallery.
Author: Irma Irsara
Vanishing point – press release
VANISHING POINT
Exhibition of recent mixed media work by Italian contemporary artist Irma Irsara
Irma Irsara’s new exhibition at 54 The Gallery marks a return to painting for an artist whose practice has long embraced a multidisciplinary approach. Her work spans printmaking, artist’s books, installation, fibre art, and video, yet her focus remains on issues relating to the natural environment.
Vanishing Point features large-scale mixed-media paintings on canvas, combining oil and acrylic with elements such as marble sand and flecked gold leaf. A complementary series of smaller works on board incorporates materials recovered from the Thames foreshore at low tide.
In this body of work, the artist deliberately stepped away from the confines of a defined brief or subject matter, allowing the work to emerge organically. This open approach was shaped in part by personal life circumstances.
The resulting works explore themes of space, sky, distance, and the edge of perception – a point of no return. These visual elements become metaphors for loss and memory, with the vanishing point serving as a threshold between presence and absence, here and elsewhere.
Irsara’s art training began at age 13 at the Scuola d’Arte di Ortisei in Italy, followed by the Accademia di Belle Arti di Urbino and further part-time study at St Martin’s School of Art. In addition, she studied Country Care and Conservation at Capel Manor College in Enfield, north London.
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PRIVATE VIEW:
Tuesday 2 September 2025, 6pm – 9pm
ARTIST’S TALK:
Saturday 6 September 2025, 6pm – 8pm
VANISHING POINT
54 The gallery
54 Shepherd Market, London W1J 7QX
OPENING TIMES:
Monday – Saturday 11am – 8pm
Sunday 11am – 5pm
VANISHING POINT
VANISHING POINT is an exhibition of large-scale mixed-media works on canvas (oil and acrylic), incorporating marble sand and flecked gold leaf inspired by Persian techniques. In addition, a sequence of smaller works on board utilizes material retrieved from the Thames foreshore at low tide.
For this series, I wanted to free myself from the constraints of a precise topic or brief. The decision was shaped by certain circumstances in my personal life – I was also reading Tolstoy’s Art and Anarchy.
What emerged was space, sky, distance and the edge of perception – a point of no return. Connections were made with loss and memory, and the vanishing point became a threshold between here and elsewhere.
I reflected on how physical and emotional boundaries shift and evolve. I became preoccupied with transition, transformation, and captured moments where divisions dissolve.
VANISHING POINT
54 The gallery
54 Shepherd Market, London W1J 7QX
OPENING TIMES:
Monday – Saturday 11am – 8pm
Sunday 11am – 5pm
PRIVATE VIEW:
Tuesday 2 September 2025, 6pm – 9pm
ARTIST’S TALK (refreshments):
Saturday 6 September 2025, 6pm – 8pm
LanserhAUS
INTRECIADES at Lanserhaus in Eppan (South Tyrol), Saturday 2 March to Sunday 9 March – work by nine artists from Val Badia.
Video shows my timelapse work CORAL (music Jonathan Lambert), as well as light works using recycled plastics by Cristinarosa Pizzinini and drawings by @ursula Tavella.
Consulta Di Appiano
EPL – Ert por i Ladins ODV
Intreciades
Intreciades
Mostra dles artistes dla Val Badia tla Lanserhaus a Eppan. Daurida dla mostra en sabeda ai 22 de forá 2025 dales 18:00, la mostra sará da odëi cina ai 9 de merz 2025
Cun la curaziun de Jahel Beer mët fora sües operes les nü artistes de liam cun la Val Badia y l’EPL-Ert por i Ladins
Silvia Baccanti, Youlee Ku, Maria Pezzedi, Irina Tavella, Irma Irsara, Gaia Lionello, Cristinarosa Pizzinini, Ursula Tavella y Jutta Valentini.
I orars de daurida dlamostra é: dal lönesc al vëndres dales 16:00 ales 19:00, y sabeda y domënia dales 10:00 ales 12:00 y dales 16:00 ales 19:00.
La vernissaja é söl program ai 22 de forá dales 18:00 cun salüt y introduziun, y musiga de Laura Willeit.
Da sabato 22 febbraio a domenica 9 marzo presso la Lanserhaus di San Michele Appiano si potranno ammirare le opere di 9 artiste della Val Badia nella mostra intitolata “Intreciades”.
VERNISSAGE sabato 22/2 h. 18.00 Lanserhaus Appiano (BZ)
Intreciades is an Exhibition of artists from Val Badia at the Lanserhaus in Eppan. l’EPL-Ert por i Ladins
The exhibition runs from Saturday 22nd March to Sunday 9th March
Curated by Jahel Beer the exhibition features works by artists
Youlee Ku, Maria Pezzedi, Irina Tavella, Irma Irsara, Gaia Lionello, Cristinarosa Pizzinini, Ursula Tavella and Jutta Valentini.
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 4pm to 7pm,
Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12pm and 4pm to 7pm.
VERNISSAGE Saturday 22/2 at 18.00 Lanserhaus Appiano (BZ)
Music by Laura Willeit.
Organizza la Consulta Culturale di Appiano
Curatrice della mostra Jahel Beer
EPL – Ert por i Ladins ODV
CORAL
Microscopic time-lapse video
Length: 04.41 min
Irma Irsara 2022
Assistente al montaggio: John O’Leary
Sonora ambientale: Jonathan Lambert
Coral è un’esplorazione delle particelle di plastica invisibili presenti nei nostri ecosistemi, con particolare riferimento alle materie plastiche impiegate nell’industria alimentare. Per questo progetto ho utilizzato esemplari estratti dal Tamigi, dalla grotta della neve di Armentara presso Monte Croce, i fiocchi di neve catturati prima di cadere al suolo, ragnatele e nidi di uccelli costruiti in parte con fibre di plastica. Ho fotografato diverse sequenze timelapse al microscopio che ho composto in Sony Vegas Pro. Il video è parte di una serie di opere che esplorano i cambiamenti ambientali provocati dall’attività umana.
A volte il ghiaccio che si scioglie anima il contenuto. Altre volte, sono presenti microrganismi, incluso gammarus, che, come dimostrato dalla ricerca, ha tracce di microplastiche nel suo organismo. Un’altra sequenza rivela la decomposizione delle salviettine umidificate con la restante fibra di plastica, che sconvolge diversi ambienti nel tempo.
Come artista multidisciplinare non ho le limitazioni di uno scienziato, che mi permette la libertà di esplorare il mio soggetto in modo creativo e sperimentale.
Credo che l’arte possa essere un punto di partenza per un dialogo e anche un ponte che si connette con la scienza.
CORAL
Microscopic time-lapse video
Length: 04.41 min
Irma Irsara 2022
Assistant editor: John O’Leary
Ambient sound: Jonathan Lambert
Coral is an exploration of the invisible plastic particles present in our ecosystems, with particular reference to plastics used in the food industry. For this project, I used specimens extracted from the Thames, from the Armentara snow cave near Monte Croce, snowflakes captured before falling to the ground, cobwebs, and birds’ nests built in part with plastic fibres. I photographed several time-lapse sequences under the microscope that I then edited in Sony Vegas Pro. The video is part of a series of works that explore environmental changes caused by human activity.
Sometimes the melting ice animates the contents. Other times, microorganisms are present, including gammarus, which research has shown to have traces of microplastics in its system. Another sequence reveals the decomposition of wet wipes with the resultant plastic fiber disrupting different ecosystems over time.
Gold Leaf
I’m currently working on a series of large canvasses. I’m interested in the technique used in Iranian mosques where gold leaf is sieved to create minute balls of gold. An Iranian restorer explained to me how she uses a restorer’s sieve to achieve the same results. In place of a sieve, I’ve used a strainer, using a soft paintbrush in a circular motion to create points of light.
This series of work will be shown later in the year (Sept) at 54 The Gallery in Mayfair – details to follow.
TIDAL TRACES
Last chance to see Tidal Traces my current exhibition at the The Old Operating
Theatre and Herb Garret which ends on 30th September.
https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/whats-on/tidal-traces-art-trail-and-video-work-17380/
Tidal Traces draws attention to issues relating to the River Thames through a series of free-hanging installation works and time-lapse video.
The project continues my exploration of environmental issues looking at material that finds its way into the Thames either through natural phenomena or human activity, and how this impacts on the health of the river’s ecosystem and its effect on the surrounding population. I’ve used debris recovered from the foreshore at various points along the river – plastic netting, nails, sand, silt, aged wood, charcoal, algae, bones – to create impressions using cyanography, chromatography and eco printing to represent both the visible and the invisible with particular reference to micro fibre plastic and pharmaceutical contamination.
One aim was to generate a dialogue between the artwork and museum exhibits, to draw parallels between the historical artefacts and the remnants washed up by the Thames and to consider the relevance of the river in each case.
Blister packs have been depicted, not only to draw comparisons to the Victorian method of pill production, but also to allude to the problem of pharmaceutical content in the River Thames today. References to the moon point to role tidal cycles have to play in the transformation of the foreshore by the materials and objects that are washed up.
The video works, each comprised of a series of time-lapse sequences, are a reflection on our impact on the Thames, including chemical and pharmaceutical discharge into the river leading to, among other things, antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The work is intended to encourage debate on the effects of our actions on the natural balance and how we can re-establish and maintain healthy ecosystems. Irsara has used a range of materials in the creation of the videos including silt, sand and algae, as well as man-made and organic objects retrieved from the foreshore at low tide. Tidal cycles are recreated using small-scale models, shot at 25 second intervals as liquid is slowly drained away. In other sequences, ice has been used to animate the forms. Coming from the Dolomite region of Northern Italy, I’m particularly interested in natural habitats in urban settings and how we relate to these, in particular the ever-changing, tidal aspect of the Thames.
The exhibition is supported by Team London Bridge and The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret as part of their programme for Totally Thames 2023.
Tidal Traces – evening screening
The Old Operating Theatre Museum is hosting a FREE screening of my recent time-lapse video works with a talk and Q&A on 19th September 6.00 – 8.15 pm.
You can book your tickets to the screening through the Totally Thames Festival website.
Tickets are limited so please book only if you’re definitely coming.
The event is being held in conjunction with my exhibition TIDAL TRACES at the museum throughout September. The screening and exhibition are part of Totally Thames 2023 Thames Festival Trust and is also supported by Team London Bridge.
Soundtracks for the videos were created by Jonathan Lambert.
Don’t miss the themed cocktails for sale after the video screening and the museum visit! Look forward to seeing you all.
Details of the exhibition are here:
https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/whats-on/tidal-traces-art-trail-and-video-work-17380/
Tidal Traces
I’m very proud to be one of the featured artists for Totally Thames 2023 (Thames Festival)
This year, I’ll be exhibiting at The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret throughout September. Tidal Traces draws attention to issues relating to the River Thames through a series of free-hanging installations, time-lapse video and family workshop. As well as a chance to see my current work, this is an opportunity to see an atmospheric museum that offers a unique insight into the history of medicine and surgery.
THE OLD OPERATING THEATRE MUSEUM
AND HERB GARRET
9a St Thomas St, London, SE1 9RY
In addition to the exhibition, I’ll be holding an evening screening of three video works with Q & A (19th September 6.00 – 8.15pm) where you will also have the opportunity to see the installation and museum for free. Tickets are limited for this so I would urge you to book only if you are definitely attending.
Entry to the exhibition at other times does not require booking but is subject to the museum’s normal admission charge.
OPENING TIMES AND DATES
Fri 1st – Sat 30th Sep 2023
10:30am – 5pm
Museum opening times:
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10.30am – 5.00pm (last admission is 4.15pm)
Drop-in family workshop:
Sunday 3 September 2023, 11am – 4.30pm
available with paid entry to the museum
TICKETS
Entry price to the museum for exhibition and workshop
Adult: £7.50
Concessions: £6.00
Child 6-16 years: £4.50
Children under 6 years: Free
Carers (with a full paying adult, concession or child ticket): Free
Family (2 adults, 2 children): £18.00, additional child, £1 each
Tidal Traces is supported by
Totally Thames, Team London Bridge and The Old Operating Theater and Herb Garret
TIDAL TRACES
The site-specific installation, continues my exploration of environmental issues, looking at material that finds its way into the Thames through natural phenomena and human activity, and the impact on the health of the river’s eco-system and the surrounding population. Recovering debris from the foreshore at various points along the river – plastic netting, nails, sand, silt, aged wood, charcoal, algae, bones – I create work using video, cyanography, chromatography and micrography to represent both the visible and the invisible, in particular micro fibre plastic and pharmaceutical contaminants.
Multiple elements make up the final site-specific installation which, in part, looks at the pharmaceutical contamination in the river alongside the healing qualities of the apothecary herbs featured in the Herb Garret at the museum.
TIME-LAPSE VIDEO
Metamorphosis (6 min 39 sec) 2019
River Net (9 min 10 sec) 2022
Silt (6 min 10 sec) 2023
The video works, each comprised of a series of time-lapse sequences, are a reflection on our impact on the Thames, including chemical and pharmaceutical discharge into the river leading to, among other things, antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The work is intended to encourage debate on the effects of our actions on the natural balance and how we can re-establish and maintain healthy ecosystems. I’ve used a range of materials in the creation of the videos including silt, sand and algae, as well as man-made and organic objects retrieved from the foreshore at low tide. Tidal cycles are recreated using small-scale models, shot at 25 second intervals as liquid is slowly drained away. In other sequences, ice has been used to animate the forms. The soundtrack for all videos was created by Jonathan Lambert.
Irma Irsara 