Review of Ilsa Bennion’s Mesh Exhibition by Allan Tinley

Ilsa’s exhibition contains recycled antique purses in various shapes and sizes. Some are wall mounted on found blocks of wood. Brightly painted in reds, yellow, greens and blue hues, they give an optimistic happy atmosphere. Each one seems to stand like a light-reflecting colourful jewel.
 
The refinement and fluidity of these purses speak with the gridding meshwork of the material and they flow like cascades off the wall mounts.
 
Ilsa speaks of her works as symbols of the philosophical and psychological processes of women’s enmeshment in the differing facets and structures of societal living.
 
Small ceramic sculptures are also on display. Pinch pots that have been formed with no plan or conscious thought.  The making of these glowing carmine painted pots Ilsa says is a process of self-healing and self–nourishment. From the inner to the outer,the philosophy of mind body connection. For her this is all about self-discovery, exploration and self connectedness; keys to her inner growth.
 
An interesting, thought provoking collection of small artworks, personal but unsentimental.