Since doing the road trip, recent work is using the same large roll format, 1.5m wide x 1.5-2m long.
Work in progress III
Work in progress II
Recent work includes:
Sketches of a road trip top north-western New South Wales. This trip was done over 6 days to the opal mining town of Lightning Ridge.
2020 York Botanic Prize Finalist work: The naming of Anigozanthos manglesii D.Don
The work Anigozanthos m family Haemodoraceae, Red and Green Kangaroo Paw, is the subject of this piece. Its’ selection was inspired by a talk given by Professor Stephen Hopper (WA University) on the Ocbil theory as a way forward in assessing landscapes. The theory is based on indigenous approaches to the land rather than western scientific ones. Research was done in the region to the south-west of Perth.
Scientific/botanical illustration/art is a European tradition with certain conventions. The concept is to show how a European binomial system of nomenclature (Linnaean) has colonised Australian landscapes. It is not a critique of this universal system, rather a lens by which to see the impact of how a foreign convention spatially and intellectually superimposed on plants works in an unrelated, non-European environment.
The question that I posed then was what are the meanings of the names given to the plant using the European naming system? The story and meanings of the European botanical name overlays the formerly unheard/unknown indigenous names of the plant given by the local Noongar (Nyonngar) people of the south-western corner of Western Australia. From these descriptions and meanings develops a story that forms an alternative representation of the plant. The work dissembles then reassembles the plant into a complex and layered representation of place using the landscape as a back drop for the work.
The representation of the landscape and plant is influenced by the non-humanist approach of contemporary Australian artist, John Wolsely, who views the landscape from within rather than from afar.
WORK IN PROGRESS
Tanya Brereton’s, “The Killing Streets” tells a chilling story about serial killers in Sydney, Australia, mainly in the Depression era. In a radio interview, the author was captivating in her description of young women from the “unfortunate class” who became prey to violent murderers.
The murders occurred in the area near to where I live and other areas that I am familiar with. Her book is the inspiration for a series of works exploring the vulnerability of women and how disposable they are. The following images are some experiments playing with these ideas.
Online gallery exhibitions – Sydney
Now that everything has gone online in the art world along wiht everywhere else, where do you start your gallery hopping?
Here are a few to start with in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
MARTIN BROWN CONTEMPORARY
Michael Muir | Chasing Rainbows, 2 – 26 April 2020 (left image)
Michael Muir
Troy Emery
Troy Emery | Online Exhibition 2020 (right image)
NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ART
NAS has a whole range of activities and exhibitions online to check out including:
Margaret Olley Drawing Week Exhibition 2020. Link:
Studio sessions ion Instagram
Gallery links across the globe and much much more!
STACKS PROJECTS
Todd Fuller
Billy’s Swan (animation/video) 2017
8 – 14 April, 2020
online exhibition, courtesy of MAY SPACE:
https://youtu.be/6TkbEGpxIa0
recent work practice 2020
There are two main themes in my recent work:
- Botanic gardens and signifiers in these landscape from previous land uses. Exploring the influences of different ethnic groups on landscapes such as the Chinese in Cairns. The Flecker Botanic Gardens are the located where there were Chinese market gardens. They are also said to have introduced Giant Bamboo to the area.
- Women and their emotional spaces ‘Miss-heard’ develops traces of women into narratives by using new marks to give them voice and as an index of their presence like the #MeToo Movement. Murders of women in the 19c The Bessy O’Connor murder of the early 1930’s in Sydney.
Sydney Contemporary, 12-15September
Sydney Contemporary is becoming embedded in the Sydney art calendar now. This year’s art fair held at Carriageworks, had a great representation of established and newer galleries, Artist Run initiatives (ARI’s) and galleries from Singapore, Japan and New Zealand. It was also refreshing to see work from other states such as Western Australia and Tasmania as well.
Capstone project blog
For the past few months, work has focused on a climate change project.
Simon Schama’s remake of Kenneth Clarke’s book and television documentary series, Civilisation (1969), Civilisations episode 1:3 was screened on SBS TV in 2018. He looks at the work of Pieter Bruegal the Elder (1526-30-1569) at the Kunst Historiches Museum, Vienna amongst other master pieces. Schama refers to three main works, The Gloomy Day (1565), The Return of the Herd (1565) and Hunters in the Snow (1656) all done for the same patron’s house. The narrative is not about nature but rather the philosophical relationships that humankind has with nature and people; that there is a universality to the human experience.
There has been a fundamental shift in the relationship between God/religion – nature – man since the 1500’s. Climate change is an example of a crisis of technology; its impact on nature is undeniable.
The project looks at this shift as it pertains the seasons and contemporary Australian climate. These are the works that the project will be based upon.
Hunters in the Snow
The Gloomy Day
The Return of the Herd
Just Not Australian – Artspace challenges contemporary Australian nationhood
The dichotomy between what is Australian and what is not Australian is explored by a range of Australian artists at Artspace. They look at ethical, moral, social and historical dimensions amongst others. They are largely challenging the colonial narrative and over-laying it with a First Nations reading of it.
For what is now a pejoritive expression, after former Prime Minister, John Howard used it to embody Australian values, ‘un-Australian’ is now embraced as complimentary. It is addressed head on by various artists especially Soda Jerk in their brilliant film,Terror Nullius. Being un-Australian is a device that is used for political purposes and those who are challenging the status quo. As that changes so does its’ connotations.
Terror Nullius, Soda Jerk
Terror Nullius, Soda Jerk
Terror Nullius, Soda Jerk
Terror Nullius, Soda Jerk
Liam Benson
Richard Lwer
Gordon Hookey
Vincent Namatjira
Karla Dickens
Tony Albert
Mid north coast, NSW – family holiday homes and caravan parks where everyone is easy going.
It’s always such an insight into cities when you go to small coastal places no matter where you are in the world. On Australia’s mid- north coast around Stuarts Point and Grassy Head where the Macleay River branches out into salt water lakes and the beaches are endless. Which is true of much the coastline as well.
Stuarts Point is a stand out as the old beach/holiday houses are so intact and there are so many wonderful DIY touches and details that are so personal and functional like the ones shown here.
Release- Class of 2018- National Art School undergraduate exhibition
National Art School in Darlinghurst, Sydney, held its Class of 2018 Exhibition from 6-16th December 2018. There was some great work and the works were on sale online Here is a selection of works by the talented artists from all disciplines.
