Lunch in the port 1964

Mary Fedden’s 'Lunch in the Port' is a feast of color and form, alive with oranges, pinks, whites, and blacks, laid down with decisive brushstrokes. I can imagine Fedden approaching this canvas, maybe outdoors, maybe in her studio, setting up a still life that isn't so still. The oranges are slices, and the blossoms explode as the scene unfolds, revealing a figure in the background. The paint is applied with varied thickness, creating a tactile surface that invites touch. Look at the way she's laid down that heavy dollop of white on the hat! That black outline is so bold and really pushes the oranges forward. It makes me think of the Fauves, Matisse, or Derain, who also weren't shy about using color to evoke emotion. It’s a bit like a conversation, this painting; Fedden speaking to us through her materials, her choices, her unique way of seeing the world. This piece shows that artists, throughout time, engage with each other, build upon each other's ideas, and push the boundaries of their medium, constantly inspiring creativity.