Glinting on rippling water, Gordon Hunt succeeds in his ambition to paint light. Selecting glorious locations along the Atlantic coastline, an exhibition of his work is now on display as Galeria Côrte-Real in Paderne. (SUBHEAD)
Best seen from high vantage points when looking out to sea, Gordon observes: “The clarity of the light is complemented by the purity of the air.”
Providing a myriad of suitable locations, from Faro travelling west towards Cape St. Vincent, the Algarve’s cliff formations dramatically change. From gentle undulations of soft red sandstone they become towering rock formations of hard dolomitic limestone.
Similar to the geology of the Italian Alps, on the Sagres Peninsular fissures filled with small quantities of soil and sand support an unusual variety of flora. The most westerly point in mainland Europe it is a protected area of natural beauty often referred to as ‘the end of the world’.
Opportunities for painting in ‘plein air’ present themselves all along the Algarve’s south coast. At Benagil the sea cascades into spectacular blowholes, spouting and splashing out and onto the cliff tops. Near Carvoeiro, at Algar Seco wave-cut platforms, a natural tunnel and viewing window have been worn out by the pounding water.
Even more impressively the beaches in and around Lagos provide caves, coves, grottoes, stacks and rocky islands where colonies of Egrets gather. Normally these birds roost in trees but at Ponta da Piedade they are established on an island home.
Uniquely – further west at Praia da Luz – there is a basalt outcrop known as ‘Black Rock’. Creating a noteworthy landmark it was formed about 150 million years ago when volcanoes in the mountains of Monchique spilled lava a distance of 20kms down to the sea.
Always cautious – knowing that the Algarve’s cliffs can be hazardous and have previously claimed many lives – Gordon firstly finds the right location for his painting.
Especially commissioned by Côrte-Real, he explains: “Often the time is not quite right and I wait until the painting is facing directly into the sunlight. Sometimes aspects of the scene might have changed, such as the two children who appeared and were sitting on the rock. I set about painting light around the subject so that the light itself becomes the subject. This technique is only possible because the light is crisp and the air so clear. Few people are aware that four stations in Faro constantly monitor the quality of the air. This precaution is hardly necessary as every lichen covered tree and stone tells me the Algarve does not suffer from pollution. Being in such a clean environments suits the way I paint.”
It is appropriate therefore that his exhibition should be displayed at Côrte-Real where the gallery is located in unspoiled countryside near Paderne.
Galeria Côrte-Real is signposted from Boliqueime, Ferreiras and Paderne. It is open Thursday to Sunday, 11am until 5 pm.
912 737 762
By Carolyn Kain
