Blog

Melbourne exhibition: artworks that put a smile on your face

artists, spaces

10 March 2010

There is something quite unique, fresh and inspiring about artists who have not gone to arts school and who are self taught.

The current exhibition at TCB art inc., in Naarm / Melbourne, is showing two artists who fall into the above category:

Craig Dermody (Front Space) and Riley Payne (Back Space) are very talented and inspiring artists who are both passionate about the need to create.

Craig Dermody's found paintings are humorous and light. The repetition of the black and green witches and the red or white swirly-eyed monster figures are naive in style and technique, with the placement being well-executed. I enjoy the way the work has been installed and especially the fact that the it places a smile on your face... it's fun!

In the back room Riley Payne's drawings are delicate, highly technical and a joy to examine. There is something beautiful about graphite on paper, shadow and incredible detail. "A brief history of public sculpture from mon – fri" examines high and low cultures through kittens, garden gnomes and other household objects. The works are not spontaneous drawings, rather very detailed, time-consuming works of art. Again, the work is installed perfectly... as we also state 'less in more'.

Well done to two very different artists who share the same intense passion and the need to create and exhibit. The exhibition ends on Saturday 13 March 2010.

What: Craig Dermody & a brief history of public sculpture from mon – fri/Riley Payne
When: until 13 March 2010 (Wednesday to Saturday, 12 to 6pm)
Where: Level 1, 12 Waratah Place, Melbourne, VIC (view location on Google Maps)