Jaya Mansberger is an Oxford-based artist and, having known her for quite a number of years now, I was really looking forward to see her latest work. As an ex-student from the Slade School of Fine Art, I have been lucky to see a few of her past exhibitions in Oxford.

Pareidolia is a phenomenon happening when you look at something, say a cloud, and you imagine seeing something else. Well it certainly did happen with some of Jaya’s work! To begin (oil on canvas 2014) transports you into eighteenth century France into the works of Fragonard. In this circular painting, in different shades and textures of green, you almost want to see that young woman in the swing (1767) by Fragonard (housed in the wonderful Wallace Collection in London).

Ebb and Flow (oil on canvas, 2016) takes you underwater. Is that a fish hiding under the sand at that particular moment in time when the sands floats in the water? The Cave of Forgotten Dreams (watercolour on paper, 2017) takes you (or at least me!) into the fantastic world of Japanese landscapes.

Some other paintings (but it might be different for you) did not make me see anything but the sheer beauty of the works. The slightly chilling, in pink, Nuclear Sunset (oil on canvas, 2017) or Last Gasp (oil on canvas, 2017) may well be the last look you give to the living world before you go.

Most of the delicacy of the oil paintings are reminiscent of the masters of the past, the textures can be similar to the works of Chardin, and the pastel touches, the way light is taken into account in the oil paintings, in particular in To begin, is closest to the works of Fragonard.

In all, a very pleasant time spent dreaming and being taken by the beauty of the works on show. Definitely something to see in Oxford!