Yesterday I attended the private viewing of Ittenology. The show features the works of Marita Fraser and Nancy Milner who explore Johannes Itten’s theories regarding the juxtaposition of colour and its perceptual contrasts.

Australian Artist Marita Fraser lives and works in London, graduating from Sydney College of the Arts with first class Honours in 2005, continuing her studies at the Academy of Fine Art, Vienna (2006-2010). The artist has exhibited extensively across Australia and Europe. Fraser has held solo shows with James Dorahy Project Space, Sydney; Kerstin Engholm Gallery, Vienna, and Engen Stadt Museum, Germany, as well as participating in group shows in London, Manchester, Sydney, Perth, Vienna, Eindhoven, Linz, Amsterdam, Basel, Berlin and Frankfurt.

Barnsley born artist Nancy Milner, graduated from The Royal Academy Schools in 2013 and previously studied at the University of Reading. Her resume includes, Royal Academy Schools Show, London; Form from Form, Matthews Yard, London (both 2013), Premiums Interim Projects, Royal Academy of Arts, London (2012); Architectural Fragments, Apiary Studios, London (2011). Nancy won the Jerwood Purchase Prize for Painting, 2012 and was awarded the Abbey Scholarship in Painting, 2014 – 2015 at The British School in Rome.

Unfortunately, despite the merits of the artists and the theme of the show, I found the exhibition, disappointingly uneventful and lacking in energy. Personally, I would have preferred to have seen a more colourful collection of work. The lack of this made me recall a quote from Itten himself –  ’ Colour is life; for a world without colours appears to us as dead.’

However, I’m always encouraged and provoked by the work of others. I encourage you to see it and judge yourself. The show runs at the Rook and Raven Gallery London from 22nd January – 5th March, 2016. For further info please visit www.rookandraven.co.uk