Joanna van Son presents contemporary figurative works at Saatchi Yates exhibition

Joanna van Son, an artist born in Oman and based in London, is currently exhibiting her paintings at Saatchi Yates gallery in London. The exhibition, which runs until April 16, marks her first solo presentation at this venue. Van Son creates oil paintings characterized by rich textures and layered applications of paint, drawing inspiration from historical art traditions while developing a distinct personal style. Her architectural background from the Bartlett School in London informs her approach to spatial composition and the depiction of the human form. The current body of work focuses on representations of her partner, Lilah, exploring emotional and psychological dimensions through multiple interpretations. Van Son describes painting as her primary method of processing experiences and emotions, emphasizing a non-verbal engagement with her subjects. Her technique incorporates visible drawing marks and textual elements within the painted surfaces, creating works that she views as questioning and exploratory. The artist aims to convey complex emotional states rather than idealized relationships, allowing viewers to derive varied interpretations from the imagery.