Brian Sinfield Gallery, 127 The Hill, Burford, Oxon OX18 4RE. 2013
“This is our fourth exhibition of Rebecca’s paintings. This time her theme is passions and pursuits” a wry, affectionate celebration of all our pastimes and obsessions, whether fly fishing, stargazing or baking. With irrepressible flair and humour she captures a wealth of mood and detail: the slump of a slacking gardener, the paw of a sleeping cat hanging over a library sofa, a golf ball stranded in a field of skeptical sheep. Jostling with butterfly nets and prize-winning vegetables, Rebecca’s world is one of variety, eccentricity and joy.” Miranda Marks
Jonathan Cooper, Park Walk Gallery, London SW10. 2012
Producing some of her largest work to date, Rebecca Campbell’s new exhibition explores the theme of the four elements of nature: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Some of the paintings are based on mythical stories such as Preparing for the Flood, Flora and Neptune, whilst Mad Dogs and Shooting the Breeze highlight Campbell’s humorous approach. Other works present the four elements in an everyday context, with depictions of fireworks, waterfalls, the four seasons and even a pantry filled with the earth’s bounty.
“Rebecca’s latest show was inspired by her extensive travels around the world. She focuses on farming and the countryside, landscapes altered to suit mankind – lavender fields, tea plantations, chicken runs, pig farms, you name it you see it all here. The regimented farming cycle continues in one form or another across the globe. To these images Rebecca brings her usual imaginative flair, coupled with a quirky humour which seems to spill out naturally with joyous abandon onto here canvases.”
Jonathan Cooper, Park Walk Gallery, London SW10 2010
From the days of Colonization and the Grand Tour the English have amassed an eclectic collection of ideas, styles, objects and even flora and fauna. In her humorous portrayal of gentrified, quintessential England, Campbell illustrates an English history of exotic tastes, opulence and eccentricity, drawing on her own family history and childhood memories. Growing up, Campbell was surrounded by antiques and curios collected and bought back from Europe, Hong Kong, India and China by generations of her family
Also shown at Louis C. Morton, la casa de subastas, Mexico City, Mexico 2008
In this series of paintings, Rebecca was invited by the gallery to produce a show with this theme. The English are known for being rather eccentric; she captures this showing life at a country estate. For example they adore their animals especially their dogs often affording them priority over humans and their passion for gardening, this includes creating whimsical wonderlands with topiary and growing vegetables in regimented patterns! “An English man’s home is his castle.”
“There is a fascinating mix to Rebecca’s work, imaginative design and humour being the strongest elements. Her exhibitions are usually themed, this present group being called the Collection. All the pictures are based on collective nouns such as a Leap of Leopards, a Pride of Peacocks, a Pack of Hounds.”
Brian Sinfield 2009
A resplendent peacock wanders through brightly coloured tulips - vanity (European); ambling elephants amongst the baobab trees - wisdom (Africa); a garden set deep in the forest - paradise (Persian) and dancing cranes - longevity (Chinese).
Hidden Meanings is a series of painting based on the theme of symbolism in different cultures.
Rebecca spent an idyllic summer visiting county shows, fairs and village fetes to get inspiration for her latest show.
Also shown at Chelsea Art Gallery, Palo Alto, California, USA 2005
"An animated take on a proverb of idiom, every illustration demands careful inspection to find the visual pun of connection to its title. Campbell's complex paintings which could breathe life into any children's book are busy with different characters - be they animals, people and even birds - captured in the middle of a daily routine."
"The work is just exquisite and detailed...jewel - like...
The artist's sense of humour and colour are reflected..."
Palo Alto Weekly 2005
"A stag wanders through a Tuscan - red arboretum, hummingbirds hover over exotic flora and the king of the beasts has found its way to centre of a maze; at twlight, animal - shaped topiary seem to come to life and in the Tree of Life, a heron, toucan, monkey, pink flamingos and sleeping leopards all lie on its candelabra branches. These are just some of the delights of the Enchanted Garden..."
The Lady, 2004
The plodding tortoise made his way passed the sleeping hare to win the race. This and many other fables were the theme of Rebecca's first solo show with Jonathan Cooper in 2002. She used fables by Aesop and La Fontaine as well as Arabic, Indian and African, The show was extremely successful and she continues to show with Jonathan Cooper.