3 January 2012
15 June 2011
"ENCUENTRO"
Curently on show at Eltham Library Community Gallery
This piece was made for the Moments in Time theme of
the Exhibition. At the time of making this, the uncertainty of our environment was prominent in mymind. Talk of Carbon emiissions, carbon offsets, carbon tax. Finding balance within our communities, in our cities, amongst nations even is well into our futures, but finding balance in our lives must come first.
Current Exhibition - Moments in Time
One of my pieces is currently on exhibit till 20th June 2010.
I will post a photo leter today.
14 June 2011
Jackson Slattery (1973-), "Props", Sutton Gallery, Melbourne
5 Feb 2011 to 5th March 2011.
The exhibition is primarily made up of works on paper and includes also marble painted in Trompe L’oeil, in the unmistakeable style of Jackson Slattery.
On close inspection the piece of “Marble” reveals itself to being light weight, hand made planks of fibreglass and paint, created with the same care into detail as the watercolours that won him the Metro Art Gallery Award in 2009. The characteristic veins of marble are realistic and deceiving, tricking the eye into a false reality. These works are reminiscent of the early frescoes, where painted marble was used to decorate the walls in ancient Greece and Rome.
Mr Slattery comes close to being a photo realist in his work, with the “Untitled” hand for example. But then again he has left slight traces of painterly watercolour wash effects to be seen in other works on display. His chosen subjects are in a way a stark contrast with the fluid qualities offered by the medium. For example the “untitled” (marble and clay) is a very tense image which has the inclination to create anxiety in the viewer. The artist has painstakingly and with outstanding craftsmanship, coupled with a keen eye for detail, been able to produce works of art of very high standard.
As testament to his expertise in the genre of watercolour, he has been named, in the current issue of Australian Art Collector, as one of the top 50 of Australia’s Most Collectable Artists; an accomplishment in itself for someone of his age.
In my attempt to interpret his art, contemplating his skill and recalling the surprise when watercolour is exposed as the medium I come to a realisation that the lightness of the medium he uses is subverted and turned on its head by the technical skill and subject matter that he portrays.
All this makes for a very absorbing exhibit with the viewer marvelling at the steady hand and mastery of colour and realism produced in such a very unforgiving medium.
The exhibition is primarily made up of works on paper and includes also marble painted in Trompe L’oeil, in the unmistakeable style of Jackson Slattery.
On close inspection the piece of “Marble” reveals itself to being light weight, hand made planks of fibreglass and paint, created with the same care into detail as the watercolours that won him the Metro Art Gallery Award in 2009. The characteristic veins of marble are realistic and deceiving, tricking the eye into a false reality. These works are reminiscent of the early frescoes, where painted marble was used to decorate the walls in ancient Greece and Rome.
Mr Slattery comes close to being a photo realist in his work, with the “Untitled” hand for example. But then again he has left slight traces of painterly watercolour wash effects to be seen in other works on display. His chosen subjects are in a way a stark contrast with the fluid qualities offered by the medium. For example the “untitled” (marble and clay) is a very tense image which has the inclination to create anxiety in the viewer. The artist has painstakingly and with outstanding craftsmanship, coupled with a keen eye for detail, been able to produce works of art of very high standard.
As testament to his expertise in the genre of watercolour, he has been named, in the current issue of Australian Art Collector, as one of the top 50 of Australia’s Most Collectable Artists; an accomplishment in itself for someone of his age.
In my attempt to interpret his art, contemplating his skill and recalling the surprise when watercolour is exposed as the medium I come to a realisation that the lightness of the medium he uses is subverted and turned on its head by the technical skill and subject matter that he portrays.
All this makes for a very absorbing exhibit with the viewer marvelling at the steady hand and mastery of colour and realism produced in such a very unforgiving medium.
referencing Siqueiros - Self abstract
Chaos Series
This image is a progression on the David Siqueiros appropriation, into self portrait. The bold lines remain as does some of the compositional ideas of shape and abstraction of these to frame the figure.
From Chaos - Life
spheres in motion
These were made as an experiment in producing the "spheres". The inspiration for this work came from the technical side of the images produced by Melbourne artist Shane Jones. His works include images of what looks like paintings still covered in bubble wrap ready for shipment. They are in fact illusions, as they are actually painted images representing a painting, covered in bubble wrap, including masking tape. Thats what he paints, in a trompe l'oeil style.
refrencing of David Alfaro Siqueiros
Appropriation - David Alfaro Siqueiros
"ab antiquo" series
These are images of the women in
India and the work they carry out today just as their ancestor did in the past. The instruments of the trade have not changed. Women tending to the animals, and women sweeping the streets with a hand made straw broom, as they have done through the ages.
"ab antiquo" monotype series
This image is the first in a series titled "ab Antiquo", which in latin means from ancient times.. A monotype produced from an etching, the series was inspired by my trip to India in early 2010. The fact is, that some of its population still live the lives of their ancestors with very little change.
21 December 2010
Slack Lining. A Sport to keep you well balanced....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4ENUH1WlYo
check out this physically strenuous art form. many different you tube clips available to get you started. Me? I'll just use the hammock to contemplate....!
check out this physically strenuous art form. many different you tube clips available to get you started. Me? I'll just use the hammock to contemplate....!
RMIT Fine Arts Degree - not recognised overseas
http://www.causes.com/causes/537740-save-art-from-rmit
Take a look at this site. Join the cause. I did.
What is happening here is not right, especially for those who have already begun the course. Anyone thinking of going there in the future should re-think their stance. Do you want to pay for a degree that offers reduced hours of contact with your professors/tutors? A degreee that is not even rocognised overseas? RMIT has a lot to answer for, and no one seems to be holding them accountable except for what appears to be a small minority of students and one very couracgeous Steve Cox, who is being bullied by the powers that be at RMIT. What an absolute disgrace. Theres a lot of commetary, but when it came to the crunch, the students failed to act. Lets hope that something good comes of all this.
Take a look at this site. Join the cause. I did.
What is happening here is not right, especially for those who have already begun the course. Anyone thinking of going there in the future should re-think their stance. Do you want to pay for a degree that offers reduced hours of contact with your professors/tutors? A degreee that is not even rocognised overseas? RMIT has a lot to answer for, and no one seems to be holding them accountable except for what appears to be a small minority of students and one very couracgeous Steve Cox, who is being bullied by the powers that be at RMIT. What an absolute disgrace. Theres a lot of commetary, but when it came to the crunch, the students failed to act. Lets hope that something good comes of all this.
Animated paradigm shift in education.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
By Sir Ken Robinson
a true thinker of our times, bringing light onto the subject of schooling, the factory line education system, the arts, mental illness, etc etc etc.
By Sir Ken Robinson
a true thinker of our times, bringing light onto the subject of schooling, the factory line education system, the arts, mental illness, etc etc etc.
Sir Ken Robinson on Education
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
A look at how the education system stifles creativity. A very enlightening look at education. (2006)
Also be sure to check out the more recent (May 2010) Bring on the Learning Revolution!
Both are invaluable, insightful, intelligent. Enjoy.
A look at how the education system stifles creativity. A very enlightening look at education. (2006)
Also be sure to check out the more recent (May 2010) Bring on the Learning Revolution!
Both are invaluable, insightful, intelligent. Enjoy.
9 November 2010
A TASTE OF TURKEY - EXHIBITION
This is a great exhibition – one not to be missed. The exhibit encompasses fine arts, handcrafted jewellery, photography, crochet and embroidery, contemporary art, ceramic art and an art form particular to Turkey: the art of EBRU - meaning marbling in Turkish. The images created are truly magical. A must see for all of us interested in arts practices from all parts of the world. The Exhibit continues till the 23rd December at the Fo Guang Tuan Art Gallery. Follow the link for address and further details.
http://www.multiculturalarts.com.au/events2010/turkey.shtml
http://www.multiculturalarts.com.au/events2010/turkey.shtml
8 November 2010
Salvador Dali - Chalice of Love
As promised in an earlier post.
Chalice of Love, Salvador Dali, 1976
6 November 2010
"Adios Amigos!"
Ok, so the first year of the 2 year diploma is done. Mission Accomplished! Now to set myself some tasks for the break...Art tasks I mean.
I plan to give myself at least 30min everyday for art. This may be in the form of reading, writing, photography, drawing, journal entry, painting, collage, or printmaking etc etcetera. Wow I hadn't thought about it till now, but we covered a lot this year.
I may as well post a plug for NMIT. The environment is great for all levels and age groups. The teachers’ professionalism, enthusiasm for what they do and vast reserves of knowledge, together with the rapport they build with students is commendable and makes life at NMIT an enjoyable experience. It has been a huge year for learning, resting and lovin' doin' ma own thin'...
A big thanks to my fellow students also, it’s been a great journey and we are only halfway there. Next year will be a great year, one I'm looking forward to.
My intentions for this blog over the break, until we get back into the swing of things in 2011, will be to post weekly from now on, but if the urge materializes, who knows, I may surprise even myself!
I plan to give myself at least 30min everyday for art. This may be in the form of reading, writing, photography, drawing, journal entry, painting, collage, or printmaking etc etcetera. Wow I hadn't thought about it till now, but we covered a lot this year.
I may as well post a plug for NMIT. The environment is great for all levels and age groups. The teachers’ professionalism, enthusiasm for what they do and vast reserves of knowledge, together with the rapport they build with students is commendable and makes life at NMIT an enjoyable experience. It has been a huge year for learning, resting and lovin' doin' ma own thin'...
A big thanks to my fellow students also, it’s been a great journey and we are only halfway there. Next year will be a great year, one I'm looking forward to.
My intentions for this blog over the break, until we get back into the swing of things in 2011, will be to post weekly from now on, but if the urge materializes, who knows, I may surprise even myself!
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