Margaret Shields
Shield’s works frequently examines the clash of old and new in the development of modern towns or cities, and more prosaic elements of urban scenes are invariably included and enjoyed with relish. She has now built up a large body of work covering more than a generation of momentous changes in British urban life, seen from a highly individualistic point of view.
“It is an area of industry and at the same time great natural beauty. Do you wonder that my paintings contain sombre tones combined with flashes and flames of vapour, brilliant sunsets, and stormy skies? This "iron coast" is an exotic and strong landscape, which is not conventional 'scenery'. My paintings are evocative rather than views of specific places. This is what gives them their wider rather than local appeal.
Margaret makes ordinary things look extraordinary.