Congratulations to NSA member Yolande Armstrong whose painting Big Aunty Minnie and Friend has been featured in an online tour of the Winterstoke Gallery in the current Royal West of England Academy Open. You can read the feature here.  In the interview, Yolande explains the background to the painting…..

She describes Minnie as quite a powerful woman, especially for her time. She had no children, survived three husbands, ran her own business, bought her own house and travelled a lot in the fifties, all of which was somewhat unusual for the period. Armstrong sees her as a matriarchal figure, having a high degree of autonomy in her community. However, it was Minnie’s big personality and presence, not her history, that really drew the artist’s eye. The idea of a free spirit.

Yolande Armstrong, Big Auntie Minnie and Friend, acrylic on paper 60cm x 80cm

The RWA Open is still currently closed to the public due to lockdown restrictions but is due to re-open on 17th May.  The exhibition can be viewed online