Still Life (Objects in a Checked Bowl) - Mary Fedden

A characteristic still life by Mary Fedden, featuring a collection of objects in a patterned bowl against a bold, red background.

Mary Fedden remains a distinct voice in twentieth-century British art. Her work often features everyday objects arranged with a sense of quiet observation. This piece displays her characteristic approach to form and colour. The composition centres on a collection of items placed within a bowl decorated with a grid pattern. The objects themselves are simplified, rendered with flat planes of colour rather than realistic shading. This reduction of form allows the viewer to focus on the interplay between the shapes and the bold background.

The background is a flat, saturated red, which pushes the objects forward. Fedden uses a limited palette, balancing the warmth of the red with the ochre, black, and white tones of the objects. The bowl, with its geometric grid and circular motifs, provides a structured base for the more organic shapes above it. Her brushwork is direct and unpretentious, favouring clarity over decorative detail. This style reflects her interest in the work of artists like Henri Matisse and Ben Nicholson, yet she maintains a personal aesthetic that is recognisable and grounded.

Fedden often painted subjects from her immediate surroundings, such as fruit, flowers, or shells. By stripping away unnecessary detail, she captures the essence of these items. The rough edges of the paper suggest this may be a study or a smaller work, typical of her practice of experimenting with gouache. The work avoids sentimentality, opting instead for a balanced, graphic arrangement that prioritises the relationship between colour and shape. It is a clear example of her ability to find visual interest in the mundane, presenting the viewer with a composition that feels both deliberate and spontaneous.