Manifesto at ACMI

On Monday I spent a great few hours at ACMI experiencing the wonderful show MANIFESTO by Julian Rosefeldt.

Cate Blanchett recites a series of manifestos blended and incorporated into a series of short films where she plays different characters. The thirteen short films screened simultaneously around the room  are meant to encourage the viewer to question the role of art in society. It is an ambitious and striking work. Cate Blanchett is astonishing in her range of character performances.

It is certainly worth seeing. And it is free admission. 

Love ACMI!!!!!

Virtual Reality at NGV

I have been wanting to get a better understanding virtual reality.

The exhibition at the NGV by  Jess Johnson called Enter the Wurm Haus  provided the opportunity.

 Ixian Gate is the  name of the virtual reality component of the exhibition. 

I put on a headset and was absolutely astonished by the experience which is hard to describe.

From the catalogue:  Using Oculus Rift technology visitors are submerged in an altered reality, with the walls of the exhibition creating an additional layer through geometric patterning, visual motifs and a suite of drawings. 

But it is more than that!

Andy Warhol & Ai Weiwei at NGV

Yesterday I spent most of the day at  the NGV. The exhibition of works by Ai Weiwei and Andy Warhol far exceeded my expectations. We had a well informed and interesting guide, and then we went back for a longer look.  It was the first time I had seen so much work by Ai Weiwei.

Both artists were astute critics of their societies. Great food for thought with regard to the role of artist as commentator and observer.

and finally ... lots of merchandising

Exhibition opening

I have spent the last few days labelling my paintings and generally getting ready for my exhibition.

Delivering the works tomorrow - it will be open to the public from Wednesday.

If you are in the city at 6pm on Thursday 17th Dec call in for a drink and help me celebrate the opening. 

Otherwise call in before it closes on Jan 13th

Last class at Painting Maribyrnong

Last week was our last class with Graeme Drendal. It has been a great year and I finished up with some unstructured drawing

invitation

Invitation to my exhibition at Art at St Francis

Opening on Thursday 17th December

Yarraville

New brush new drawing

A new brush inspired by the Lorna Crane workshop. And here are the marks that this brush makes. Paper is  A2 size. Nice.

Mixed media

Working on a 30x24 inch canvas with mixed media. Clearly spring is in the air.

Inspired by Lorna Crane Workshop

These are some of the works that I have created as a result of the workshop with Lorna Crane.... they are on display at 69 Smith St Gallery as part of a display of pieces created during the workshop and after.

Inspirational workshop with Lorna Crane

I was so glad that I enrolled for the Brush making workshop with Lorna Crane. Day one we made brushes from natural materials. Day 2 we USED them  - - so hard considering they were little works of art, But it was a great experience. An inspirational teacher and a wonderful 2 days of unblocking and creativity

These are Lorna brushes

 Below is my feather brush and marks it made

Here is my stumpy brush below

 And a thread brush

All of the brushes I made on day 1 - below

Thursday painting class

Whizzed in with some acrylics and squeezed out these three paintings on canvas paper in the class.

An homage to Euan Uglow. So grateful to Graeme Drendel for introducing me to this inspirational painter.

Exhibition at Tacit Contemporary Art

Opening Wednesday 12th August 6.30 pm

The show is on until 30th August

The image on this invitation is mine!

Seasons - acrylic on canvas board

I have not enjoyed using canvas boards in the past. But I dragged these out from under the desk and reworked them and am now happy with them.

They are 24 x 30 com so easy to work on.

Now how to frame them...

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Winter

Small Monotypes

Experimenting with works on rice paper

Even more work in work in progress

Works in Progress 2

Here are more works in progress
theses are around a meter by 600? My measuring ability is poor.....

Works in Pogress

Trying out some new themes and ideas. These are at 69 Smith St at present. They are about a meter long and 500 cm wide.

Mixed media on paper

This is the second piece of work that I will be submitting at 69 Smith St Gallery next week.

It is large for me - around 70cm x 50cm. It is mixed media on heavy paper.

Titled "We complement each other"

It has been a long time between posts on this blog. I kind of missed June.

Below is a work I have created for the 69 Smith St Gallery Book in a Bag exhibition.

Artists get a mystery book in a bag

I got an adolescent novel about a young girl going to Paris inside a Zetta Florence bag - which inspired this piece. I used images from the bag itself  and added others.

It is mixed media, 6 panels around 40 cm by 20 cm

Exhibition: 8^thJuly to 26^th July

Hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 11am - 5pm. Sunday 12 – 5pm

Opening Saturday 11th of July from 4 -6 pm at 69 Smith St Fitzroy