Chasing Sublime Light: David Tress
17 January - 18 April 2009

David Tress’ paintings explore the powerful landscapes of the Lake District, Western Scotland, Northumberland, Yorkshire and North Wales.

He retraced the steps of artists such as JMW Turner, Thomas Girtin and Paul Sandby, who led the way in the discovery of ‘sublime’ or awe inspiring landscapes in the 18th and early 19th Centuries.

Tress’ paintings are personal responses to these landscapes. His work provides a fascinating insight into their preservation and transformation, revealing wild and almost unchanged stretches of moorland and coast, through to the untidy urbanisation of locations overtaken by the industrial expansion of the 19th Century.  

Tress has selected historic watercolours from Gallery Oldham’s collection, including works from the Charles Lees Collection, to be shown alongside his own paintings.

Image: Transport, Logistics (Byland Abbey) by David Tress, 2005.

Lunchtime talk by the artist: Wednesday 11 March, 1pm. Free, no need to book.