painting – Art and Artists Blog – Melbourne, Australia

by zhen - May 29, 2016

WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope

Today is the last day of this really wonderful exhibition which if you have time I encourage you to go see. I found this show very poignant and moving. Running from 6th to the 29th May 2016 at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery which is on the corner of Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads in Caulfield (Monday to Friday 10am–5pm, Weekends 1pm–5pm).

"Presented by The Contemporary Collective, this exhibition features photography; painting; sculpture; jewellery; video; mixed media; and installations by renowned artists Benjamin Armstrong, Irene Barberis, Godwin Bradbeer, Bindi Cole-Chocka, Carmella Grynberg, Linde Ivimey, Shoshanna Jordan, Jane Korman, Lillianne Milgrom, Victor Majzner, Hedy Ritterman, Avital Sheffer, Lousje Skala, Linda Wachtel and Guan Wei.

Curated by Dr Helen Light AM, this exhibition includes works by these artists who have responded to personal and collective histories and viewpoints regarding the trauma of war, and The Holocaust in particular. The artists' interpretation of contemporary portraiture further encourages a critical engagement with ideas around memorialization and representation. This exhibition honours post-war refugees who journeyed across the globe in order to establish new lives and families. Their stories are pertinent to current debates concerning refugees and asylum seekers." -Glen Eira City Council Gallery

Enjoy the following photos from the show.

Linda Wachtel,We are here, 2015, Pigment print on archival cotton rag, 100 x 1400cm

'WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope' gallery view. (Linda Wachtel & Godwin Bradbeer)

'WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope' gallery view. (Godwin Bradbeer, Lillianna Milgrom, Linde Ivimey & Lousje Skala)

'WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope' gallery view. (Shoshanna Jordan, Irene Barberis & Carmella Grynberg)

Shoshanna Jordan, Mir Zehnen Do, 2016, pigment print on acid free cotton paper 100 x100cm each

Guan Wei, up in the clouds, No.5, 2012, bronze sculpture, 52 x 32 x 24cm

Linde Ivimey, Heirloom, 2012, antique and vintage crystal, glass, silver, brass, water, electricity, 28 x 33 x 33cm

Jane Korman, Whistle While You Work, 2014, Video, 05:05min (Still Video)

'WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope' gallery view. (Hedy Ritterman, Avital Sheffer & Linde Ivimey)

'WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope' gallery view. (Lousje Skala, Shoshanna Jordan & Hedy Ritterman)

by Emilia Martinez - November 12, 2015December 18, 2021

Waldemar Kolbusz – ‘Rudiment’

Last week I visited the Flinders Lane Gallery (137 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000). The exhibition 'Rudiment' (13 Oct – 7 Nov 2015) features large gestural paintings of contemporary artist Waldemar Kolbusz. I really liked the spontaneous patches of paint and colour. 'This expressionistic project is abstract yet altogether unambiguous.' – Kate Britton.

Waldemar Kolbusz, Even Higher 2015, oil on linen, 91cm x 91cm

Waldemar Kolbusz, Frisson 2015, oil on linen, 122cm x 91cm

Waldemar Kolbusz, Looking 2015, oil on linen, 91cm x 91cm

Waldemar Kolbusz, West 2015, oil on linen, 140cm x 140cm

Waldemar Kolbusz, Popcorn 2015, oil on linen, 91cm x 76cm

Waldemar Kolbusz, Slippers 2015, oil on linen, 183cm x 122cm

by Emilia Martinez - October 22, 2015December 18, 2021

Koorie Heritage Trust: Wominjeka – A New Beginning

The Koorie Heritage Trust have a new home at Federation Square (Levels 1&3, Yarra Building, Federation Square, Corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne Vic 3000) and celebrate their 30th birthday with an exhibition 'Wominjeka – A New Beginning' (19 Sep – 22 Nov 15).

"The exhibition shows the work of five early career artists, exhibited alongside pieces from the Trust's collection that have been the muse for their own artistic expression and stories." The five artists are Aunty Marlene Gilson, Georgia MacGuire, Mitch Mahoney, Josh Muir and Raymond Young. "Working with mentors, these artists have created new works in response to selected items from our collections."

The Trust collection artists are Stephen Glassborow, Wally Cooper, Tommy McRae, Glenda Nicholls, Letty Nicholls, Vena Ingram, Mandy Nicholson, Kelly Koumalatsos, Brian Firebrace, Treahna Hamm, Dorothy Lovett, William Barak, and Darren Pattie-Bux.

Gallery shots of the exhibtion Wominjeka – A New Beginning, 2015

by zhen - August 19, 2015

Mary Tonkin: Two spots

Sometimes you see an art exhibition and it just makes your heart sing. Mary Tonkin's show 'Two spots' (4- 23 August 2015) at Australian Galleries is a stunningly beautiful show. These lushly painted landscapes need to be seen in real life as pictures don't do them justice. Enjoy the pictures.

Mary Tonkin, 'Two spots', Australian Galleries

(Left to Right) Mary Tonkin, Between two logs…, 2014, oil on linen 54 x 487 cm & Mary Tonkin, Above the white gums…, 2014, oil on linen, 54 x 447 cm

(Left to Right) Mary Tonkin, Madre, Kalorama 2008 oil on linen 244 x 508 cm & Mary Tonkin, Impasse, Kalorama, 2009, oil on linen, 41 x 66 cm

Mary Tonkin, Above the white gums…, 2014, oil on linen, 54 x 447 cm

Mary Tonkin, Buffeted, Above the…, 2015, oil on linen, 73 x 182 cm

Mary Tonkin, Days like this, Kalorama, 2014, oil on linen, 58 x 77 cm

Mary Tonkin, Flow, Kalorama, 2014, oil on linen, 45 x 63 cm

Mary Tonkin, Impasse, Kalorama, 2009, oil on linen 41 x 66 cm

Mary Tonkin, On the edge (for Jess)…, 2014, oil on linen, 53 x 60 cm

Mary Tonkin, Sparkle, Kalorama, 2014, oil on linen, 30 x 40 cm

Mary Tonkin, Witness, Kalorama, 2009, oil on linen, 41 x 55 cm

Mary Tonkin, Totem, Kalorama, 2009, oil on linen, 36 x 36 cm

Mary Tonkin, Gully study 1, Kalorama, 2002, pencil on paper, 38 x 57 cm

by zhen - May 23, 2015

Guest writer: What’s on in Queensland? Bugai Whyoulter at the Suzanne O’Connell Gallery (Brisbane)

Art and Artists blog is excited to included Jack Wilkie-Jans second guest post. Enjoy!

In the state's capital, Brisbane, there lies a fabulous boutique gallery nestled in New Farm. It is without doubt an institution which does its fair share adding to the style and sophistication the suburb has become envied for. The Suzanne O'Connell Gallery, run by art dealer, consultant and former jazz singer, Suzanne O'Connell, (located at 93 James Street in New Farm) specialises in presenting only the best Aboriginal artists and most beautiful contemporary artworks.

The current exhibition by Western Australian artist Bugai Whyoulter is one of the most beautiful on display at the moment. Recently featured in the current issue of Art Collector magazine Whyoulter is described by her admirers as quiet and reclusive. Her artworks however speak very loudly and vibrantly of her culture, history and land. She is the daughter-in-law of famed artist Nora Wompi and is herself showing once again that Aboriginal art is as contemporary as it is reflective and that the movement, if you will, remains one of the strongest and most diverse in the wider Australian art industry.

If you're heading to the sunshine state and going by Brisbane, be sure to wander down into New Farm and visit the Suzanne O'Connell Gallery- either before or after stopping to have a coffee or cocktail at one of the many divine establishments along James Street.

Bugai Whyoulter's exhibition will be on display until 6th June.

Author: Jack Wilkie-Jans
Jack is an artist and writer as well as an Alumni of the National Gallery of Australia's Wesfarmer's Indigenous Arts Leadership program from Far North Queensland.
www.jackandrewwilkiejans.weebly.com

Parnngurr (2), Bugai Whyoulter, Acrylic on Belgian linen, photo courtesy of Martumili Artists, source: www.suzanneoconnell.com

Kurrakurra, Bugai Whyoulter, Acrylic on Belgian linen, photo courtesy of Martumili Artists, source: www.suzanneoconnell.com

Parnngurr, Bugai Whyoulter, Acrylic on Belgian linen, photo courtesy of Martumili Artists, source: www.suzanneoconnell.com

Wantili Tuwa, Bugai Whyoulter, Acrylic on Belgian linen, photo courtesy of Martumili Artists, source: www.suzanneoconnell.com

Gallery shoot: Photo by Suzanne O'Connell 2