Exhibition Review – Page 3 – Art and Artists Blog

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 - August 5, 2015August 4, 2015

The Dirty Dozen: Prevaricated Frequencies

I reguarly go through the Flinders Street Station underground (Degraves Street Underpass) and see the gallery, which was once called Platform now called The Dirty Dozen (<- click link to apply for this free exhibition space through creative spaces). The exhibtion on now is ‘Prevaricated Frequencies’ (24 June – 5 Septetember 2015) by Skunk Control. I love seeing things with moving parts and work that make you think…"How did they do that?"

"Skunk Control is a group of engineers, educators and scientists from the college of Engineering and Science at Victoria University. The group’s aim is to communicate art through science and science through art via installations that prompt investigation and engage feelings of excitement that define the process of discovery... The exhibition expands on the team’s award-winning work at the Gertrude Projection Festival in 2014. From stalagmites and tumbling stones to butterflies and kaleidoscopic cells, their polarised worlds show that creative thought can lie at the heart of any profession."

Another interesting thing is that as they are using motors they sometimes burn out so they require maintenence every few weeks to keep this show workng.

Some times I really love a show but have such a hard time with photographing it… this is one of them. This show looks much better in person, it is a must see. Enjoy…

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

by zhen - May 8, 2015December 18, 2021

Colour, Light & Silence: Anselm van Rood

Yesterday I visited Stephen Mclaughlan Gallery (Level 8, Room 8, Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne) to see Anselm van Rood's show Colour, Light & Silence (29 April- 16 May 2015). It is really refreshing to see some beautiful paintings, some from the artist*s studio, some portraits and some landscapes. Here are some photos from this wonderful show. Enjoy.

Anselm van Rood, Self Portait as a Jew, oil on canvas, 2013-14

Anselm van Rood, St. Kilda Morning- Souvenir of Luxor #3, Oil on canvas, 2014

Anselm van Rood, The Blue Studio, Oil on Canvas, 2014

Anselm van Rood, Shelf Life #3 (Polychrome), oil on canvas, 2015

Anselm van Rood, Self life #1, oil on canvas, 2013-14 & Ruth, oil on canvas, 2015.

Anselm van Rood,exhibition setup at Stephen Mclaughlan Gallery

by zhen - February 22, 2015

Guest writer: What’s on in Queensland? Umi Arts Members’ Exhibition (Cairns)

Art and Artists blog is excited to introduce Jack Wilkie-Jans our new guest wrtier, I hope you enjoy his first post about the Umi Arts Members' Exhibition at Umi Arts Gallery (335 Sheridan Street, North Cairns, QLD, 4870) on 12th February – 25th March, 2015…

This year Umi Arts gallery celebrates their 10th anniversary of operation in representing A&TSI artists and with the inauguration of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in 2009, Umi Arts as the leading gallery in Queensland for representing and promoting Indigenous Australian art (contemporary and traditional) truly began to get noticed by larger galleries and serious collectors both at home and abroad.

The annual 'You & Me' Members' Exhibition each year for the past ten, showcases some of the region's best A&TSI artists and of course the eclectic combination of style, mediums and concepts they share between them. This year's line-up of artists features some of the most respected, enduring and promising established artists from the area such as Arone Meeks, Heather Koowootha, Paul Bong and Rosella Namok.

At this exhibition the viewer will be treated to a mini-maze of portable plinths and partition walls all decorated with the finest art & artefacts to represent the broader skills and style base of the gallery's numerous artists. While the 'You & Me' show for this year features only 16 of the gallery's rather expansive membership (including three works by yours truly) it reflects not only the diversity of the artists but also, and more significantly, highlights the enduring and ever-changing idea of what "Indigenous" art is.

So if you're a lover or learner of Indigenous Art and if you're considering an arts & cultural pilgrimage away from the big cities please be sure to head up to Cairns and visit the Umi Arts gallery. Of course many of the Umi Arts artists can be seen at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and the Biennale of Sydney, as well as around the traps at various other state and national public and private galleries.

Keep an eye out for the Umi Arts name and a finger on the rapidly growing pulse of creativity coming from the Far North!

Arone Meeks, Spirit Ark, 2012, Linocut on Arches BFK 300 gsm (Edition of 35), 110cm x 170cm, Photography by Michael Marzik

Sharon Karami, Bamboo Grove Path, 2014 Digital Photography, 42cm x 60cm, Photography courtesy of the artist.

Thomas Bosen, Magpie Geese laying eggs, 2014, Acrylic on Canvas, 122cm x 76cm, Photography by Michael Marzik

Bernard Singleton, Damarri Guyala-djada, 2014, Wattle/flat acrylic, feather, beeswax, (work 1) 250cm x 46cm x 10cm, (work 2- right of image) 250cm x 40cm x 10cm. Photography by Michael Marzik

Robert Tommy Pau, Bigo (Rain Making Bull Roar), 2014, Digital print on panel, 85cm (h), Photograph courtesy of UMI Arts