Samantha Cary: Unravelling at Granary Gallery
There is so much to love about Samantha Cary’s latest exhibition, Unraveling, which is currently on show at the Granary Gallery in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
This new body of work, created over the past three years, marks a rich and layered development in Cary’s practice.
Every piece feels meticulously considered, nothing left to chance. Cary’s images read like novels; packed with meaning, detail, and deliberate choices in every colour, every line. I found myself leaning closer again and again, wanting to soak up all the symbolism she so skilfully weaves in. Her references, from art history to fairytales, music, television, and even ancient cultures, create these beautifully complex, often darkly humorous worlds.
One of the stand-out moments for me was the depiction of The Shard. Not just as a recognisable feature of the London skyline but, on closer inspection, a wolf. It’s tempting to assign it my own reading: a sharp critique of financial institutions. Whether that was Cary’s intention or not, it speaks to the strength of her work that it invites multiple interpretations without ever feeling slippery or vague.
A Butterfly’s Dream, Reduction Woodcut (2024/25)
The Poet Decomposing, which was included in two variations, was another favourite. There was something deeply intriguing about the soil, the insects, the way the bones were rendered, particularly the bones of the feet. These fine details, once again had my face centimetres from the work, soaking up every mark. I think it was the combination of the light box and the colours that had me reflecting on mortality, history, and decay without ever tipping into the morbid.
However, the absolute high point for me was Cary’s etchings. Her command of traditional printmaking techniques (hard ground, spit bite, sugar lift, aquatint) is excelllent. These pieces have a raw, worn quality that felt incredibly human.
To me, the characters Cary etched seemed bleary-eyed and dry-mouthed, the kind of people reaching for coffee and painkillers after a rough night, exhausted, but still standing. Each line was rich and alive, and I found myself wishing these works existed in book form so I could sit with them, turn the pages, and study every mark at my leisure.
Samantha Cary, born in London and now based in Berwick-upon-Tweed, brings a rich background to her work, having studied Fine Art at Sunderland University and the University of Newcastle. Her practice has grown through solo exhibitions at venues such as The Campden Gallery and The Eagle Gallery in London, as well as inclusion in major group shows including the RA Summer Exhibition and The London Original Print Fair.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the show, I found myself wanting even more, more work, more behind-the-scenes glimpses into Cary’s process. But perhaps that’s the mark of a truly compelling exhibition: it leaves you wanting to return, to know more, to look closer.
Samantha Cary’s Unraveling is an exhibition to linger over. It's a rare pleasure to encounter work so thoughtful, so layered, and so alive to its own possibilities. I hope to see much more from her in the future.
Samantha Cary: Unravelling is on display at the Granary Gallery, Berwick-upon-Tweed, until 18th May .