Carol Rhodes's Paintings Explore Unlocatable Landscapes Through Deceptive Realism

Born in 1959 in Glasgow, Carol Rhodes produces small oil paintings and pencil drawings that portray coastlines, suburban settings, and industrial scenes, all notably lacking human figures. Her elevated viewpoints mimic those of low-flying aircraft and draw inspiration from plein air naturalism and British landscape art, utilizing found photographic sources. The uninhabited environments showcase roads and structures that seem credible on their own yet collectively stretch believability, evoking a feeling of suspended movement. Often, her color palettes stray from realistic representation, exemplified in Business Park (Night) (2007). Rhodes refers to her focus as 'left-over land,' leading to imaginative landscapes. Works like Rivers, Roads (2013) and Two Buildings (2012) question the supremacy of photography while alluding to historical influences.