"Fish, of course, have a longstanding, symbolic association in Western culture, representing as they do the Christian faith. Donnelly, however, has hit upon an alternative symbolism. Two canvases from her current exhibition at La Galleria, in London, depict a school of koi carp. Admittedly, these are fish more commonly found in ponds than the deep, blue sea – but it’s still instructive that, in parts of China, owing to their fondness for swimming in groups, koi are said to represent togetherness, 'which is something we, as people, can all aspire to', Donnelly says.

Not to mention something she encourages through her work: making the whole artistic process, as we have already observed, a collaborative one between painter and viewer."

Alastair Smart
Art critic and associate editor of christies.com




School of Young Koi carp 1 Franschoek, South Africa
Oil on canvas framed w80 x h80cm
2018

School of Young Koi carp 2 Franschoek, South Africa
Oil on canvas framed w80 x h80cm
2018