Apple Cider Oil

Apple Cider
ln this intimate still life, the artist, Marie Benham, engages with the timeless dialogue between form and light, albeit with a touch of the idiosyncratic. The composition unfolds across a shallow picture plane, anchored by a robust, dark earthenware jug or pitcher dominating the centre. Its bulbous body and sturdy handle exude a quiet, grounded presence, its dark glaze absorbing much of the ambient light, hinting at unseen depths. To the left, a vibrant orange pitcher, slender and more animated in form, provides a striking contrast in both colour and silhouette. Its energetic hue injects a note of warmth into the otherwise sombre palette. Nestled between these two anchors, a small, round object, possibly a fruit or a lidded container, shares the fiery tones of the orange pitcher, acting as a visual bridge between the two larger forms. Flanking the central jug are two further organic elements, seemingly fruits, rendered with loose, evocative brushstrokes. The one on the left, partially obscured, hints at a rich red, while the solitary specimen to the right displays a similar intensity. These elements introduce a touch of the ephemeral, their rounded shapes echoing the curves of the vessels. The stage for this domestic drama is a horizontally oriented surface, painted in nuanced shades of brown, suggesting a tabletop worn by time. The backdrop is a subtly modulated field of warm, earthy tones, providing a sense of enclosure and focusing the viewer's attention on the interplay of objects. While the execution is direct and unpretentious, there's a palpable engagement with the textural qualities of the various forms -the smooth sheen of the glazed earthenware, the possibly rougher surface of the orange pitcher, and the delicate skin of the fruit. The artist employs a relatively loose and expressive brushstroke, allowing for a sense of immediacy The artist employs a loose, expressive brushstroke, giving the work a sense of immediacy and preventing it from becoming overly static. The lighting, though subtle, models the forms, creating pockets of shadow that lend a modest sense of volume. This work, while unassuming in its subject matter, offers a thoughtful meditation on the beauty found in everyday objects. It invites contemplation on the relationships between these carefully chosen elements, their colours, and their forms, ultimately revealing the artist's individual sensibility and their quiet appreciation for the understated poetry of still life.
(Extracted from a piece by a previous art critic 2025)