Stella Vine in her London studio. Photographed by Dafydd Jones.
Ever since Charles Saatchi bought two of her paintings in 2004 Stella Vine has been the subject of much debate and controversy. Some critics have said she can't paint 'for toffee'; others have admired the spontaneity and simplicity of her style, and the bold choice of her subjects, such as Rachel Whitear, alleged to have died of a heroin overdose, and Princess Diana who Vine depicted with blood trickling out of her mouth, with the inspired words "Hi Paul, can you come over I'm really frightened" scrawled across the canvas.
Since 2004 Vine has had exhibitions in London, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Beijing, Tel Aviv, New York and her home town of Alnwick in Northumberland, where her new series of paintings 'Whatever happened to Melissa Jane?' will be on display until 6 August. Vine will be having a first solo museum show in the US in September at the Museum of New Art in Detroit.
Stella Vine also runs a gallery space in London's Soho called Rosy Wilde which is currently showing paintings by Cathy Lomax.
To find out more about Vine's various projects visit her website www.stellavine.com. You can also be a fly on the wall in her studio and home by visiting www.stellavine.com/stellacam.htm Her webcam is live 24/7.
'Whatever happened to Melissa Jane?'
Bailiffgate Museum
Alnwick
Until 6 August
Cathy Lomax
Rosy Wilde
79 Wardour St
London W1 (entrance in Tisbury Court)
Tel: +44 (0)207 851 8547
Open: Thurs, Fri and Sat 12noon - 6pm
info@rosywilde.co.uk
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