Paintings: Inspired by Nature and the Elements is a retrospective of Margaret King’s (b.1932) past work and includes new work that has not been exhibited before. The exhibition is a curated display of oil paintings and watercolours. King was invited to collaborate on selecting the works, her voice and vision shaping the narrative of the exhibition; a testament to her prolific career as a Sandgrown artist who cares deeply about the subjects she paints.

King’s expressive use of colour and light, and her tendency to dissolve form, results in oil paintings that prioritise sensation and emotion over detailed representation. Her
atmospheric watercolours often depict recognisable subjects such as landscapes, botanical studies, and seascapes. At the heart of King’s work is an appreciation of nature, the elements, and the connectedness of these things to our lives and locale. The exhibition includes works that reference Lytham St Annes, Blackpool and Fleetwood. Reminiscent of Turner’s later abstract paintings, King invites viewers to engage with the artwork on an intuitive and subjective level, rather than relying on a literal interpretation of the subject.

King’s work taps into the magic and mechanics of the cosmos. She celebrates the rare coastal plant that arrives on the surf, carried thousands of miles from the seabed of another land. She honours the power of the Sun, the source of life. She acknowledges the quiet beauty of a weekend walk along a shoreline. She laments the passing of time. Her paintings embody her passion for the natural world and are a gentle reminder that we are its custodians.
In response to the theme of the exhibition, the shutters in the 17th century gallery will be open for the duration of the show. Light and shadow are cast along the historic floor as the sun moves across the sky, assuming the role of an art installation, and changing our perception of the room, the artwork and the world outside.

This curated exhibition takes place in the new for 2025 Fylde Gallery at Lytham Hall on the first floor of the Georgian hall. Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, free to visit.