Wildlife Descend on Hillingdon as Lise Poulsen Debuts her Animalistic Solo Art Exhibition titled “The Gaze of the Wild”
Lise Poulsen, a Danish-English artist with a profound love for wildlife, presents her first solo exhibition Soul in Focus – The Gaze of the Wild. Hosted at the Glass Pencil Art Gallery, this exhibition is a powerful showcase of her vibrant animal portraits, which aim to inspire deeper connections to the natural world and a heightened awareness of the plight of endangered wildlife.
In Gaze of the Wild, Poulsen captures the majesty of animals through striking oil and acrylic portraits that focus on their intense gazes. Her work highlights not only the beauty and individuality of each creature but also their vulnerability as many face the threat of extinction. Her dynamic use of bright colours draws viewers into the eyes of each animal, encouraging them to contemplate the shared emotional experience between human and wildlife.
“Painting brings me immense joy, peace, and happiness,” says Poulsen, who turned her lifelong passion into a full-time career after many years as a sales manager for a French cosmetics company. “Through my art, I want people to feel the beauty of wildlife and connect with the animals I paint. I hope to spark a sense of responsibility in us all to protect their disappearing world.”
The exhibition’s most powerful piece, Harambe, a portrait of the late silverback gorilla, exemplifies Poulsen’s ability to convey strength and vulnerability through her subjects. Harambe’s haunting gaze captures the viewer, embodying both the raw power of wildlife and the fragility of their existence in today’s world.
“I paint with bright colours to captivate attention, and the eyes are where I want to forge that connection,” explains Poulsen. “Nature and wildlife inspire me with a sense of peace and harmony, which I aim to share through my art.”
Poulsen’s journey as an artist began with a love for creating, but only in recent years has she discovered her passion for portraiture, particularly of animals. Though self-taught, she has attended numerous art courses in the US and UK, further refining her technique and eye for detail. In just three years, she has participated in multiple group exhibitions, making Soul in Focus a significant milestone as her first solo show.
This series, which took just six weeks to complete, is a testament to Poulsen’s dedication and connection to her craft. The intensity of her work is not only in the colours but also in the deep emotions she conveys through each animal’s expression.
In addition to her current collection, Poulsen also creates personalised portraits of people’s pets or loved ones, aiming to capture the essence of the bond shared between humans and their companions. She adds “My goal is to craft something unique that embodies the memories and emotions they hold dear,”
Despite her late start in portraiture, Lise’s talent has already been recognised on a grand scale. In 2020, she was featured in the Portraits for NHS Heroes book, a significant achievement given that she only discovered portrait painting the year before. The project, which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, saw over 15,000 portraits of NHS key workers painted by artists across the UK. Lise’s portrait was selected as part of the small collection published in the book, showcasing her ability to capture emotion and character through her art.
Exhibition Details
The Gaze of the Wild
Dates: Private View Night, Thu 14th November , everyone is welcomed. 6:30pm- 10pm
General Admission, Fri 15th – Sun 17th November 11-5pm daily.
Purchase Free Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pv-of-lise-poulsens-the-gaze-of-the-wild-tickets-1043744807817?aff=oddtdtcreator
Location: Glass Pencil Art Gallery, Quayside, Ground Floor, Hayes, UB11 1AA
