Interview of Hannah Jarmain at her MERO Gallery By Henry Marschalkers Wield - Art Europa

June 25th, 2009

I paid a visit to a gallery at Zacateros 24, Gallery Mero, where I met a most delightful artist by the name of Hannah Jarmain.

Upon entering I could not help but notice that there were at least 50 pieces of artwork on display representing four distinctive styles. She told me she had more in the back room and that she had worked hard, often until exhaustion, especially in the past six months to prepare for her opening exhibit in San Miguel.

Hannah is not only talented but one of the most prolific and passionate artists I have ever met.
The first artwork that caught my eye is a mesmerizing piece displayed in the midst of her Nature theme.
Its title is “Concert in Bamboo”. As its name implies, it is a painting of a bamboo patch. The colors and fire seem to jump out from the canvas. I asked Hannah what inspired this painting. She replied: “Bamboo is a symbol of strength, purity and resiliency in the Oriental culture. “
When I asked if she is aspired to these traits in herself, she replied:
“Well! It is more to reflect the characteristics of the people of my native country, Viet Nam. Like the bamboo plant, the people are small and reed thin but courageous and strong. Over many centuries they have been able to survive wars, major upheavals or natural catastrophes to retain their own unique culture and language “
Bamboo grows in many colors, green, red, golden, brown and black, which reflect the individual yet collective nature of the people.
The artist said she accomplished the dramatic effect emanating from the complex ripples and texture of the bamboo plants by using palette knives to apply many generous and thick layers of various colors of paint.

Hannah painted from a very young age and participated in national art competition in her native country before moving to Canada. She obtained post graduate university degrees and established a successful career in business before moving to San Miguel. It is in San Miguel that she resumed her lifelong passion of painting.
Hannah’s works also reflect her new surrounding of San Miguel. The second painting that caught my eye is a beautiful view over looking San Miguel through the blue Jacaranda flowers in full bloom. The town is also depicted in another painting of a sunset which seems to cast orange and blue hues in the entire sky and its atmospheric air over to the town. This painting is a must see!

There is a painting of a lily pond which reminds me of Monet’s famous Water Lilies, but she said the inspiration came from the lily pond at the Puertecita, where she often goes for her “en plain air” painting, it is located up the hills on Santo Domingo, and another scene, a very cute painting of a little boy chasing a duck in Juarez Parque.
Further back in the gallery there is an unusual display, a collection of Nudes. Hannah painted ten Nude scenes, each in its own expressive emotional state.
Quite worth seeing!

It is well worth the five minute walk from the El Jardin in Centro San Miguel to see Hannah‘s Premier Exhibit is at Gallery MERO, Zacateros 24, just three doors North of Pila Seca. Her exhibit is on display until August 31st, 2009

Henry Marrschalkers Wield is a retired art critic and freelance writer who enjoy travelling the world.