Kilgour Prize 2016

Click the link to read more about the 2016 Kilgour.

https://thelaymanreviewer.wordpress.com/maitland-and-upper-hunter/the-kilgour-prize-2016/

Materiality Performed.

Maitland served up the goods yesterday while we waited patiently for a son to liven the cross fit crowd of Thornton with a few lively beats. We departed the Lycra clad scene and found a  pleasant little cafe in The Levee called Lavenders Riverside where we soaked up the atmosphere (literally) before we headed off to Maitland Regional. I had no idea what was on at the gallery which is generally my way of seeing art. But this gallery never disappoints. There’s always some out of the way nook to probe that will deliver. And yesterday was no exception.

Impressed is one word I’d use to describe my reaction to Braddon Snape’s manipulated steel sculptures. I’d seen this innovative technique of his at a group show previously, but it just didn’t have the impact it has as a body of work in Maitland’s great space where spotlights are directed onto each piece. It’s worth taking the time to watch the video installed just outside of the exhibition room to see the inflation of a flat featureless piece of steel transform into a work of art. Fascinating.

So if you’re up Maitland way in the near future make a beeline to the gallery. Finishes 6th November.

No not a piece of scrunched foil.

These are so tempting to touch (but I didn’t). Having said that though it was like Camp Runamok at the gallery yesterday. A bit of touching going on there. Must be new age hipster parenting. 

Suspended and out of reach. 

 

Newcastle Viva

A great little drawing David. So quick and lively.

 

Newcastle Viva

I know this is a little contrary to the standards expected in a particular profession, but I don’t think Blogs really adhere to expected standards. That’s perhaps why they’re a little more popular than news print I gather. Anyway I’m going to plug an exhibition that I’m appearing in at present without shame. It’s our drawing groups first foray into the world of exhibiting (that is together, each of us have exhibited many times).

Our Newcastle Viva show includes 5 artists, David Rose being the principle coordinator and all round good guy of the group. We began sketching a few years back to maintain drawing skills after we left art school. It’s a fun way to get about and see the various icons both natural and man made in Newcastle. And we always find plenty of time for a chat! Nevertheless we do leave each session with a sense of the environment and with information to work up into finished pieces. I have gathered an image from each of the artists’ below. So I hope you can make it in to Alchemy Art Space, 488 Hunter St Newcastle before we close on the 6th Oct. Also note we’re open each weekend 1-4pm.

This piece is by artist Gina McDonald. Like all of her work it is pensive and quiet. This piece is a favourite of mine.

Mine. Abstract and colourful. Well I do love colour.

Newcastle City Hall by Robyn Culley. Capturing the city in rejuvenation mode. Let’s hope the next building Robyn draws in this state of adjustment is the Post Office. One can only dream. Nice drawing Robyn.

This wonderful sketch is by Shane Audrins. Her attention to detail is inspiring. Oh to have the patience! 

Enchanted

I can’t help being drawn to Back to Back Gallery in Bull St Cooks Hill. It’s the casual suburban feel I suppose not to mention it’s great art (and I regularly am walking past). Anyway its latest exhibition is “Enchanted”, and a group of ceramicists have come up with childhood imaginings. It finishes Sunday 25th September. Here are a couple of pieces I found rather inspiring by the artist Heather Campbell.

 

There is a haunting nature to these pieces of art. Like with all the best literature in childhood the creepy and mysterious are the ones that shine. Think Roald Dahl and his oeuvre. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory comes to mind where the prettiness and temptation of the sweets beat disturbingly against the eerie depths of the characters. Oh of course except for the ever gracious Charlie and his grandfather. Long live Gene Wilder for bringing Willy Wonka to the screen in such a glorious and compelling way. But I’ve gone a little off track here.  These pieces work  in the same manner, both visually appealing  yet also flourishing with weird fantasy. Does anyone feel there is a Charles Blackman style to them? I’m think his Alice series, again creepy and fantastic.

Newcastle Viva

Putting it out there. This is a group exhibition I’m in and is on exhibition until 6th Oct. Hope you can make it at some time during the month

Theatrics

Lezlie Tilley has created a suite of rather dazzling collages for Theatrics and I’m in love with all of the little gems. There’s so much to peruse in this exhibition at Curve Gallery but there’s only today to do so. If you’re wandering about Newcastle watching the dirt bikes over on the foreshore step out of the maelstrom and make your way to the gallery in Hunter st.

One of Lezlie Tilley’s fetching collages. Rather sophisticated really.

I love this groovy wall mounted sculpture by Joanna O’Toole. It’s strange and wonderful and absurd. 

 

 

NEAP 2016

Ah NEAP again. It’s great to see so many aspiring artists. I’ve chosen a few that stood out for me to include in this post. They’re not necessarily the winners but we all know that art is subjective.

So this is an odd little photo. There’s that nostalgia feeling going on here from artist Scott Probst. Thumbs up from me.

Well I love colour and pretty so this acrylic painting by artist Danielle Glassop gets a thumbs up from me..

 

Skill is the first word that popped into my head when I saw this charcoal on paper work by Christina Frogley. So much patience required to achieve this. And skill. Thumbs up from me.

Is this odd or what? I walked into the smaller gallery and this acrylic and collage by artist Cheridan Chard gave me a big wink. There’s nothing better than a bit of weird art. On’ya Cheridan.
Thumbs up from me.

Oops I can’t be sure who made this great little sculpture but it’s eerie and weird. Maybe Maisie Neale??? Anyway thumbs up from me. Or should I say fingers up!

 

 

 

I know I know I have a soft spot for anything Ellie Kaufmann paints. And this is no exception. My fave is still the one I bought recently. But that’s what I’d hope anyway. I can’t buy another just yet. Anyway thumbs up from me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So just a small glimpse of the show because there’s a heap of work there. I wonder if they could have culled more perhaps. Just a thought!