Blog – Artists

Drawn to drawing in Open Water

31 May 2010

I've decided that I am drawn to drawing and, of late, have been viewing drawing exhibitions and hanging out in drawing studios:

Exhibition confirms a rebirth in drawing and works on paper
In love with drawing and works on paper

Maybe it's the spontaneous mark making or the fact that it hasn't been re-painted or re-worked over and over again.

"Open Water", an exhibition by Rebecca Jones currently on at fortyfive downstairs, in Naarm / Melbourne, is a beautifully example of a well put together and thought out show. Rebecca is a swimmer and it is clear that her knowledge and emotion are transported into the work.

Rebecca has captured the movement of an open water swimmer and the choice to use tracing paper mounted on acrylic and installed on an acrylic bracket creates a seamless wave of people. The brilliant presentation allows the work to breath and yet is joined, as the works wrap around a corner of the room, the viewer is lead to three larger works on the opposite wall.

It is a very white room with minimal work... the use of the room has been executed brilliantly.

I have had the pleasure of working with Rebecca in the lead up to this show and it is so exciting to see her ideas and techniques develop.

Don't miss this show... it is fresh, light and very fulfilling.

When: Until 5 June 2010 (Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 5pm; Saturday, 12pm to 4pm)
Where: fortyfive downstairs – 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, VIC (view location on Google Maps)

 

Unique curator, talented artists and like-minded individuals

15 May 2010

I visit many art spaces and meet many people in the commercial gallery system. It is always a pleasure popping into Tolarno Galleries, as curator Olivia Radonich is warm, friendly and open.

On 15 May 2010 a refreshing show curated by Olivia, "Points of View", was opened. It presents new works by Brendan Huntley, Andrew Long, Dan Moynihan, Connor O'Brien, Riley Payne and Jake Walker – artists who are in their emerging years and not in the stable of Tolarno Galleries.

For me the highlight was Brendan Huntley's work. I have been following his career for a while and, whilst he has had excellent shows at Utopian Slumps and Hell Gallery, his work in "Points of View" would have to be the best I have seen to date.

"Brendan has produced an assortment of vessels, infusing them with lifelike sensibilities. Through sculptural and two-dimensional form, multiple personalities are evoked and the facade of the everyday revealed. Brendan's works are concerned with the beauty of the mundane, dealing with the ordinary and what often lies beneath. Exploring our joys, fears, thoughts and observations of life..."

I love "Like-minded individuals 2009–2010", a 18-part sculpture of ceramic on linen with plinths. It is a body of vessels communicating, and Brendan's naive style works so well.

Congratulations to Olivia on a well-curated show of six very talented artists. I understand the time that goes into delivering an excellent show, not only is it about the work; it's about the trust, relationship and understanding.

What: "Points of View"
When: until 26 June 2010 (Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm; Saturday, 1pm to 5pm)
Where: Tolarno Galleries – Level 4, 104 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC (view location on Google Maps)

 

Exhibition confirms a rebirth in drawing and works on paper

27 April 2010

It's not often that I revisit a show, but I have made several visits to "Contemporary Australian Drawings 1″, currently on at RMIT Gallery.

Brilliantly curated by Dr Irene Barberis (Director of the international research hub, Metasenta Pty Ltd at RMIT), "Contemporary Australian Drawings 1″ is part of the 2010 international Drawing Out conference that was held by RMIT University in April. Drawing Out is collaboration between RMIT and University of the Arts, London.

Two rooms are dedicated to established and emerging artists who have made a significant contribution to contemporary drawing in Australia.

I have seen a rebirth in drawing and works on paper. It is as if drawing has become fashionable once again and has gained much needed respect by the viewer and buyer (read the post "In love with drawing and works on paper").

"Contemporary Australian Drawings 1″ is an excellent example of the depth and breath of mark making using various mediums, surfaces and forms of technology.

For me, the highlights were John Wolseley (pictured above), Daniel Price, Ghostpatrol and Chloe Vallance.

What: "Contemporary Australian Drawings 1″
When: until 26 June 2010 (Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm; Saturday, 12pm to 5pm)
Where: RMIT Gallery, 344 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC (Google Maps)

 

See glass in a different light

26 March 2010

The last 50 years has seen the elevation of glass as a new form of contemporary art. "10 Contemporary Australian Artists: A glass act", currently showing at Australian Galleries in Collingwood (Melbourne), is an exhibition of sculptural glass curated by Sandy Benjamin and Caroline Field.

Having worked with many of the artists exhibiting in this show (and also sold their works), I totally understand the aim of "A glass act": to bring contemporary Australian glass to the attention of connoisseurs of fine art. We always speak about painters, printmakers and sculptors; we tend to forget about the talented glass artists.

Many of our Australian glass artists are highly respected and sought after in the United States, Europe and Japan. I salute Australian Galleries for engaging Sandy Benjamin, who is one of the most educated, talented and passionate collectors in glass in Australia.

Highlight Among the 10 artists, the highlight for me was Mel Douglas.

Mel Douglas's "slow process of construction and realisation manifests in the finished blown and engraved object". The result is a dark, beautifully shaped object that is still and silent. The engraving of the line is repetitious, meditative and precise.

If you have time, make room to pop into Australian Galleries to view this outstanding exhibition and to see glass in a different light.

What: "10 Contemporary Australian Artists: A glass act"
When: until 28 March 2010 (Friday and Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Sunday, 12pm to 5pm)
Where: 50 Smith Street, Collingwood VIC (view location on Google Maps)

 

Melbourne exhibition: artworks that put a smile on your face

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)

 

Experience a powerful installation in Naarm / Melbourne

25 February 2010

I don't think I've seen a great installation since Sarah Duyshart's exhibition "The Lure of Echo" (read my blog post about her installation).

Installation is difficult to execute; there are many elements involved, especially technical issues relating to structure and performance.

On Thursday 18 February 2010 I went to the opening of "Slow Dance" by Shay Minster at West Space, in Naarm / Melbourne.

"'Slow Dance' examines the tragic comedy of the human condition. Appearing familiar and amusing at first, the project explores the suppression experienced when a personality is radically altered through the manipulation of their environment. A clown motif – drained of its usual high colour and its joyous free dance restricted – flails about in a futile attempt to fulfill its intended purpose. Stuck in endless repetition, 'slow Dance' confronts, in an absurd manner, the existential vacuum."

Shay Minster:

• constructed the room to be smaller
• painted the walls, ceiling and floor in white
• hid every cord possible
• placed electrical sensors for the air pump to work
• lit the clown with fluorescents that were strategically placed to light the room.

The immaculate presentation is all part of why this installation is so successful, not to mention that the concept is strong and clear, and the work has emotional connection with the viewer.

• The "Clown" is white.
• The "Clown" is unmasked.
• The "Clown" does not fit.
• The "Clown" is restricted.
• The "Clown" is a misfit in this space.

Haven't we all felt like this at one point in our lives?

Go and experience this powerful installation:

What: "Slow Dance"
When: until 13 March 2010 (Wed to Friday, 12pm to 6pm; Saturday, 12pm to 5pm)
Where: West Space (Gallery 3) – Level 1, 15–19 Anthony Street, Melbourne, VIC (view location on Google Maps)

Shay will be giving a free artist talk on Thursday 11 March 2010, between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

 

In love with drawing and works on paper

11 February 2010

I have fallen in love with drawing and works on paper. Yes, it is fashionable and, yes, it has had a rebirth. It's so beautiful to see the line work and build up on paper.

"Debut VI" is an annual exhibition at Melbourne's Blindside that, in 2010, is curated by Natalya Maller, Drew Pettifer and Andrew Tetzlaff.

The artists who have been selected to exhibit are Maggie Brown, Christo Croker, Dylan Hammond, Ted Mckinlay, Sophie Mitchell, Sam Page, Van Thanh Rudd, Jacob Weiss and Marcin Wojcik.

For me, I engaged in Ted Mckinlay's work, "Those places you were not (All at once)", 2009–10, pastel on paper, 110cm x 150cm. I have not seen pastel on paper in such a long time... and Ted manages to create many layers with a clever colour palette.

There is great line work, perspective and, amongst the many buildings, a human element with a glimpse of a child standing on a balcony, alone, looking out beyond the edge of the paper.

"From morning to noon to night we barrage our senses with visual imagery that our mind dutifully shelves, classifies and catalogues as our waking experience. It is this phenomenological accumulation that McKinlay investigates through layering tableaus rendered in shadowy pastel. Fleeting moments are conjoined and superimposed on short eternities, some detailed with hypersensitive clarity and others disregarded as incidental fragments. The whole becomes a labyrinth of imagery, a non-functional record of information that mirrors our own unreliable memory."

We lose so many of our "works on paper artists" to painting... maybe it's because, as a society, we feel painting holds more presence, value and prestige.

I hope we do not lose Ted to the painting world. He is very talented and a mid-emerging artist who has lots of potential!

What: "Debut VI"
When: Until 13 February 2010; Thursday to Saturday, 12pm to 6pm
Where: Blindside – Level 7, Room 14, Nicholas Building (37 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC); view location on Google Maps

 

Carolyn Fels: a solo show after hard work

29 January 2010

The great pleasure of doing what I do is being there when something wonderful comes through for an artist.

Carolyn Fels would have to be in her late 60s; I'm not quite sure of her exact age (she looks fabulous). Carolyn went back to the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) aged 47 after raising her family, and she has had a successful journey of being represented. However, since the closure of her gallery in 2006, Carolyn has struggled to get back into the commercial wheel.

Carolyn has old fashioned communication skills, she is a fantastic networker and seems to know everyone. For the last 4 years, Carolyn has been knocking on all doors that may lead to the golden path of a solo show in a great space.

We have lunch once a week, share art stories and talk about other doors that Carolyn could knock on.

Finally in 2010 good news was delivered, and Carolyn was offered a solo show by Anna Pappas Gallery (formerly Uber Gallery).

I am very excited for her, and Carolyn's smile beams from ear to ear. Carolyn is a very clear example that we are never too old, never too tired, never too poor to start again.

Carolyn works hard, wishes hard and never stops believing the universe will deliver!

 

New year, new art space and Chloe Vallance

7 January 2010

Hello 2010 – what a great feeling this year has!

This week I popped into Carbon Black Gallery, a new contemporary art space on High Street, in Prahran – a lovely space for emerging artists. Carbon Black's first show consisted of 11 emerging artists across various mediums:

• Aly Aitkin's fantastic, humorous well-crafted sculpture
• Jane Brown in photography
• Marisa Corral (printmaking)
• Chris Dolman (printmaking)
• Daniel Kolieb (photography)
• Kristin McIver (painting)
• Sheena Mathieson (sculpture)
• Rishi Meyhanden (photography)
• Luke Rogers (sculpture)
• Michael Staniak (painting)
• and my favorite, Chloe Vallance, in drawing and painting.

Chloe has recently received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with Honours from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and has had numerous solo and group exhibitions since 2007.

Chloe's work is small and intimate, well drawn with movement and texture. The use of a wooden background and coloured pencils work so well. Chloe's people have been captured in movement, riding, walking a path or sitting.

They are isolated figures on wood, with no background or middle ground. The smaller the figure the more intense it becomes as the viewer is forced to look with intent. Chloe's work is very reasonably priced and can sit quite comfortably alone or in a collective group.

Check Chloe's website

 

Art after dark

14 December 2009

At this time of the year, artists, galleries and art spaces take a well-deserved break. What's great is that art is still around... you just have to look for it.

Eamonn Verberne's exhibition "Move" opens on 13 December 2009 at the Centre for Contemporary Photography, in the Night Projection Window. The exhibition is seven days a week, after dark from 14 December 2009 to 20 January 2010.

"'Move' is Eamonn Verberne's latest investigation into the particularities of what tourists do when they go on holiday. Developing previous explorations of the phenomena of vacations, 'Move' questions the need to validate a holiday by capturing it within an image, recording events like experience in a resume, almost as confirmation.

"'Move' examines the vista of the careless tourist and their pursuit of the quintessential image, questioning the very notion of the perfect holiday and our desire to believe in its possibility despite what the picture indicates."

Eamonn has a fabulous sense of humour and this is clearly seen in all of his work. After many years, Eamonn has finally gone digital... I know it has been a slow and large step for him, and I look forward to seeing the work, after dark, in the Night Projection Window.

What: "Move", by Eamonn Verberne
When: 14 December 2009 to 20 January 2010, after dark
Where: Centre for Contemporary Photography, 404 George Street, Fitzroy, VIC (view location on Google Maps)