This week we were lucky enough to see gallery artist Alison Pullen working in situ across the road at Pompette Restaurant, creating a new collage painting in the restaurant's private dining room.
Alison's paintings of interiors are always made within the spaces they depict. She immerses herself in the environment, finding the position that best captures her experience of the room before beginning. She spends time observing the changing light, colour and atmosphere, then gradually builds the composition using layers of magazine cuttings and acrylic paint. The resulting works are both painterly and architectural, instantly recognisable as Alison's distinctive collage practice.
Pompette Restaurant has become an enduring source of inspiration for Alison. Since first working there in 2023, she has created a number of paintings of both the restaurant floor and its beautifully designed private dining room. Owner Laura Weidemann, whose background is in fashion and textile design, created the interior from scratch combining contemporary and vintage furnishings in a rich palette of navy, green and gold. Alison's layered approach captures both the elegance of the space and the atmosphere that makes it unique.
It was a pleasure to watch Alison at work and gain a rare insight into her creative process. These photographs offer a glimpse into how her collaged interiors come together, from careful observation to the finished painting.
We are currently showing Alison Pullen's Pompette Restaurant – Crucial at Sarah Wiseman Gallery, alongside works depicting Radley College and Merchant Taylors' Hall. If you're nearby, we'd love to welcome you into the gallery to see them in person.
