Pia Maganov
Colour Wave - works in pastels and acrylics
in the Budgeon’s display case, foyer Richmond Library
415 Church Street, Richmond
25 March to 12 June 2025
Review by Aukje van Vark
In Colour Wave, artist Pia brings a burst of light, joy, and curiosity to an often-overlooked space. Located in the threshold between the street and the main rooms of Richmond Library, the display cabinet could easily go unnoticed - until now. Pia’s collection transforms this transitional zone into a moment of unexpected delight, inviting viewers to stop, breathe, and experience something quietly uplifting.
Pia Maganov’s display in the Budgeons Case, foyer of Richmond Library
The exhibition features a series of pastel works on paper, along with one vivid acrylic painting on canvas. Large, colourful shapes sweep across the page - suggestive of flowers in bloom, shifting leaves, and dreamlike forms that hover just beyond recognition. While some works hint at nature, such as the deep, moody greens of a shadowy forest, others lean fully into abstraction, letting colour and form speak directly to the senses.
Echoes of Summer, pastel on A3 paper, by Pia Maganov
Ferns, pastel on A3 paper, by Pia Maganov
Pia was inspired by a simple question: What would make someone stop and look? Her answer - colour - is explored here as a language of emotion and energy. She uses colour not to describe the world literally, but to evoke feelings: the warmth of sunlight, the thrill of possibility, the quiet pause before a new idea unfolds.
Flowers Emerging, pastel on A3 paper, by Pia Maganov
Welcoming the Dawn, pastel on A3 paper, by Pia Maganov
The pastel medium - chosen for its immediacy, softness, and vibrancy - allows Pia to work freely and instinctively, layering shades to build depth and movement. Her one acrylic work adds contrast, its drying unpredictability reflecting the dynamic tension between control and spontaneity.
Delightful Daisies, pastel on A3 paper, by Pia Maganov
Sudden Symphony, acrylic on Canvas, 45 x 61 cm, by Pia Maganov
More than a visual experience, Colour Wave is an emotional one. These works offer a sense of wonder, even escape - a reprieve from the grey rhythms of city life. There is joy here, and play, and a quiet invitation to reflect. In a space where people usually pass through without stopping, Pia’s art opens a window to stillness and curiosity.
Whats Next, pastel on A3 paper, by Pia Maganov
Whether you’re a devoted lover of abstract art or simply drawn in by the glow of colour, Colour Wave asks only that you pause - and perhaps leave feeling a little lighter than when you arrived.