Rose Wylie: A Rebel Artist at 92, Painting Through the Night
Rose Wylie, billed as a "rebel artist" by the Royal Academy for her forthcoming exhibition, continues to defy expectations at the age of 92. Her giant, wild, and witty paintings, featuring Hollywood stars, soccer greats, black swans, and flying bombs, now command high prices in galleries worldwide. Astonishingly, her solo show is the first by a British woman to occupy all the main galleries at the Royal Academy, challenging an establishment that has long underrated women's work.
Unconventional Studio and Domestic Life
For over 60 years, Wylie has lived in a low-slung, 17th-century house in Sittingbourne, Kent, where she rebels against conventional domesticity. Jasmine grows through the kitchen ceiling, and bouquets of dead flowers crowd another room. A ceramic horse from actor James Norton sits by the windowsill, while petrified cakes gather cobwebs near the sink. Despite the abundance of items, the house is clean and tidy, reflecting Wylie's love for visitors.
Her studio, carpeted with a tsunami of Guardian newspapers, is designed for comfort and creativity. "You don't come in and clear up. You come in and work," Wylie explains, emphasizing her focus on productivity over tidiness. During the pandemic, a Korean team recreated this studio in Seoul, and Wylie enjoyed seeing superbly dressed women post pictures from the replica on Instagram, noting the "marvellous contrast."
Artistic Inspiration and Wit
Wylie's work is driven by images she finds interesting, from Roman mosaics to TV shows, resulting in vast mental leaps that infuse her paintings with energy and wit. For example, a curving footpath in her garden transforms into a gun, paying tribute to Werner Herzog's film. In one painting, second world war bombs fly over a desert with a black duck added for fun, showcasing her playful approach.
Her recent canvases include Jumbo Meat Chopper, inspired by a neighbour's new fence, which she turned into a bold diptych featuring a lemon-yellow house above an orange fence. Wylie expresses delight in this creation, demonstrating her ability to find inspiration in everyday disruptions.
Late Blooming Success and Personal Reflections
Sixteen years ago, Wylie was virtually unknown, but today her work hangs in Los Angeles, Cologne, and Ghent. Her painting Black Strap (Red Fly), depicting Nicole Kidman in Kent, sold for £220,500 in 2021. After studying art in the 1950s, she took a 20-year break to raise three children, only gaining significant recognition in 2010 at age 76 with a group show in Washington DC.
Wylie reflects on balancing motherhood and art, stating, "If you are involved, emotionally and mentally, in painting, which obsesses you, your mind is elsewhere." She chose to be present for her children, finding creativity in parenting. Her husband, painter Roy Oxlade, who died in 2014, was supportive despite the potential challenges of her rising fame.
Footballers and Future Ambitions
Inspired by watching Match of the Day with her husband, Wylie paints footballers she describes as "monumental" or "wispy," such as Ronaldinho and Peter Crouch. Her ambition remains strong, with plans to work until 3am on a Paris show and dreams of being in major museums worldwide. "I want to be part of the history of visual culture," she declares.
Looking ahead, Wylie plans to reinterpret Henri Rousseau's Unpleasant Surprise, replacing the nude woman with Bette Davis, whom she praises for her "slub of a mouth" and fun quality. This focus on specificity and vitality is key to her artistic process, ensuring her paintings roar into life.
As she continues to paint and rebel, Rose Wylie's legacy grows, proving that age and convention are no barriers to creativity and success in the art world.
