Showing posts with label Australian art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australian art. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

"SEED AND DRIFT"


Exhibition of Paintings and drawings by Nina Machielse Hunt

Opens: Friday 22nd March 2013 at 6pm

Jayes is pleased to introduce this emerging artist in her first solo exhibition at the gallery.  Nina Machielse Hunt gives a fresh insight into the land and sea.

Nina says of her work “I do love being alone in the landscape; walking, sitting, thinking, feeling and absorbing it. More aspects are revealed the longer one looks, actual, imagined or desired. To look and simply breath is my meditation and is becoming a cherished luxury.
I also enjoy drawing en plein air, however I use these scribbles essentially as a spring board and the initial observation tends to shift in the studio. Through the cycle of application and rubbing back and application again the painting eventually takes on its own life. The original landscape I had observed is reinterpreted and an emotional energy is generated during the process. This reinterpretation is evident in the colours, textures, abstractions and all the subtle decisions I make. The original moments of contemplation are suggested in my recent larger canvases of uncluttered spaces and atmospheric colour. 
Recent new experiences have given rise to new challenges which have directly informed this body of work. Certain moods that I experienced on becoming a mother and living in new and unknown landscapes emerged. The colour choices and abstractions reflect my internal state of mind. Frustration, panic and ultimate calm is at the core of each painting as the process was fraught with external and internal factors and emotions. At times my relationship with the landscape is less contemplative!  The simple act of digging, splashing, being covered in sand, dirt, mud, water, snot and sunscreen with my young children. This physical primal response to the landscape is reflected in the gestural marks on several works. Fast, impulsive and confident marks, like that of a childs.
With this body of work I have tried to achieve a cohesive balance where each painting is operating on several levels, formally and intuitively. Invariably there is an element of abstraction”.

The Seed – A symbol of endurance, surviving incredible hardship.
To Drift – To move continuously through to the present.




We invite you to join us at the opening on Friday 22nd March
 and meet the artist in person for what will be a delightful show. The exhibition closes on 28th April, 2013.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

"The space between two extremes" - Exciting youthful art to please you!


During November, Jayes Gallery & Sculpture Gardens is pleased to announce a solo exhibition by an exciting artist. Her large abstract works are of particular interest and online images do not give the texture, form or depth of these fabulous works. So a visit to the gallery to fully appreciate these wonderful paintings firsthand is a must!

Laura Holland is a young artist from Dubbo NSW.  Since beginning painting at age 10, she has been practicing and refining her skills for the past 12 years. Now working on numerous exhibitions per year, Laura is gaining recognition for her diverse range of creativity and skill. Ranging from photo-realism in pencil and oils, to large scale abstract and mixed media work, Laura recognises there is an audience for both styles of her work.

"Inferno" Acrylic, Ink & Mixed Media on Canvas 1.2 m x 1.2 m

"I love watching people view my work, whether they are taken by the intensity of my large works, or intrigued by the detail in my drawings, the reactions are always different."  
  
Laura studied art throughout high school, and achieved great success in her HSC with her major work being selected for Art Express. Since then, Laura has continued to experiment with mediums and push the boundaries of paint, achieving dramatic results. The result of these pieces was 'Space', Laura's first solo exhibition in May 2011.

Alongside teaching both adult's and children's classes, Laura is continually working on her own practice, and currently developing her next body of work. 

"Poise" 100 cm x 40 cm Oil on Canvas

‘The Space Between Two Extremes’, is a show about the merging of two styles of Laura’s work. An experiment of combining the structure of traditional oils and realism with the fluidity of her large scale ink and mixed media works. An explosion of colour and a vivid dance between mediums on a canvas dance floor.

Opening on Saturday 24 November at 2 pm - all welcome!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

A star studded night at Jayes!


ART EXHIBITION – Main Gallery
“EAST MEETS WEST”
Artist: Internationally renowned Marian Duncan
and daughter, Jade Duncan
Exhibition opens: Saturday 13 October 2012 at 6.00 pm
Exhibition runs: 13 October – 18 November 2012

Arabian horses, local studs and an eastern theme sets the stage for a wonderful exhibition on horses and rural life at Jayes Gallery in Molong soon.

With a strong international reputation, Marian Duncan is a ‘self proclaimed’ perfectionist when it comes to painting Arabian horses. Whilst Marian says she is still ‘learning’, her horses are so beautifully formed and fashioned, that they come to life before your eyes. With an exceptional eye for detail, Marian’s love of her subject shines through every work she produces.

Her works are regularly used on the covers of magazines; Australian Arabian Horse News and the American Arabian Horse Express and have been sold to collectors across Australasia. The USA, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Jordan.
Marian tells us “The beauty and quality of the Arabian horse has no equal.” The Arabian is all about their large dark intelligent eyes, beautiful sculpted faces, large fine nostrils, soft velvet muzzles, curved ears, smooth elegant necks with thick manes, balanced body – their beauty lifts your senses and takes your breath away!” These sentiments present in Marian’s elegant paintings of these fine animals and her love of horses makes each work, a fine work of art.

Marian continues to study her Arabians together with all the trappings that make up a horse life; the traditional headstalls and saddles, heritage and environment, the body language and indeed every detail.

"Eyes of Kohl" Oil on Canvas

Supporting artist, Jade Duncan follows in her mother’s footsteps with her recent graphite drawings depicting the lives of local horses. Having been exposed to her mother’s artworks all of her life, it was certain that Jade was going to follow. 

Both ardent horse lovers, Jade tells us “I have been surrounded with horses all of my life, my earliest memories are filled with horses. My Mum introduced me to horses perhaps before I was even born and has passed on her love of everything about them. You may even say that I was brainwashed from birth, and would not change that for anything….I love it.”

We are proud to be able to bring together an exhibition featuring the quality works of both Marian daughter, Jade for your enjoyment and delight.

"United in Thirst" Graphite on Paper

Supporting the show with rural photography, is another family member, Colleen Clayton.



Wednesday, May 30, 2012

"New Works" by Catherine Hale

"New Works"
Exhibition opens 6 July 2012 at 6 pm
Exhibition runs to 29 July 2012



Catherine Hale is an artist working in the Central West of NSW. Having grown up in Sydney she knows that there is more to life than living under the flight path a block from Parramatta Road.

She is now based in Bathurst and is the proud owner of a recently built backyard studio. Within this space, overlooking chicken coops and vegetable gardens; Catherine joins the frames, stretches the canvases and creates her paintings

ARTIST STATEMENT

My figurative paintings are executed from the imagination. They are narratives drawn from people and landscapes encountered:
Ø     during travels in a caravan round Australia
Ø     working on a multicultural program at the community centre
Ø     caring for Bathurst elderly and
Ø     volunteering at school vege garden working bees

I also work in landscape and still life; these are the inhabited spaces without the people.


"After the Fire" - Ceramics from Marjo Carter, Pauline Wellfare, Valerie Stuart & Margaret Ling


"After the Fire"
Exhibition opens: 6 July 2012 at 6 pm
Exhibition runs to 29 July 2012

Fire in its many forms has a potent and primitive place in the collective memory.
We recall the conflagrations that devour the countryside.  Yet we are also familiar with the hearth and stove where fire provides warmth and food. 
          
In this exhibition, some very different examples of the wonderful transmutative powers of fire, flame, heat and smoke when harnessed by the ceramic artist, are clearly evident. Each artist has an individual response to, and expectation of, the fire.

Margaret’s pots are simple, robust, handbuilt forms which wear the complex markings that result from the flame and smoke of the pitfire. Surfaces come alive with the suggestion of movement - a visual terrain across which the eye can travel.

By contrast, Pauline's fine porcelain pieces, transformed by heat but unmarked by it, reference the renewal of life and growth through seeds and pods, so delicately carved and polished. 

The soft, evocative qualities of smoke create the distinctive visual effects and surface decoration on Marjo’s pieces. And Val, significantly inspired by the forms and textures provided by nature, responds to the red hues of earth, enhanced and enriched by the passage of flame.

Results often prompt the imagination of the viewer, reading into the intricate matrix of pattern created by the passage of fire, flame, smoke. 

Marjo Carter
Artist Statement:

Currently, my studio practice revolves around individual handbuilt pieces that feature the softer, evocative nature of smoke firings. I have found much enjoyment in smoke firings, using natural sources such as leaves, grasses, pine needles, etc to create distinctive visual effects and surface decoration.

Another unique aspect of my work is the application of hand lettered calligraphy to the works, adding poetic meanings and depth to the pieces.



Margaret Ling
Artist statement:

I am inspired by nature and the primitive - the colours, the forms and the textures of the natural world around us.
              
My pots are simple, robust, handbuilt forms which wear the complex markings that result from the flame and smoke of the pitfire. Through this process I am looking for  surfaces that are alive with the suggestion of movement - a visual terrain across which the eye can travel.

The surface drama contained by the stillness of form.

                                          
 Pauline Wellfare
Artist Statement:

Making pots has been a passion for 25 years now, and I can’t see myself doing anything else.

Surface treatment is an important aspect of my work.  I like the work to be both a tactile experience as well as a visual one. Pieces are carved, sanded and polished a number of times during the firing and finishing processes in order to achieve the smooth, subtle surfaces I desire. The major inspiration for form, colour and decoration of my work comes from native vegetation I see in the surrounding bush, as well as the plant life I find in my garden.

                

Valerie Stuart
Artist Statement:

My work combines both wheel and hand building techniques. I use a variety of surface decoration and firing techniques in order to achieve a desired effect. My inspiration is drawn from everyday forms and textures provided by nature. When taken out of their context these characteristics impart a feeling of familiarity and surprise when viewed in a different framework.



Tuesday, April 3, 2012

"Unearthed" by Trevor Hood


UNEARTHING THE MEANING WITHIN


Trevor Hood asks us, “Mostly the world goes unnoticed. Do we notice below the surface? Do we look longer than the fleeting moment?

Either we don’t know what to look at or we fail to understand its importance and miss the opportunity to look at all. Much that we see is on our periphery and fails to register in any meaningful way. Sometimes we see phantoms, but what we see is only ever a slice of what can be considered real. No two people understand the world in the same way and no two people look, think or imagine alike."

These artworks are snapshots that can be seen to give some shape and drama to unnoticed shadows and unearth the barely perceived.”

This is Trevor’s first solo show at Jayes Gallery & Sculpture Gardens and we’re very excited to unearth what Trevor has been working on. His large and impressive works take us into unknown territory, the unseen forces of nature around us. His long career as a teacher in the arts gives him a dexterity with paint and canvas that is rarely seen. The works are finely tuned to build forms that incite the imagination with layers of transparent washes over solid shapes. This will be an outstanding exhibition of the highest standard.


"Red Earth"

Exhibition opens Friday 4 May at 6 pm - all welcome!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

"Face the Music" by Connie Eales

ARTIST INSPIRED TO PAINT THROUGH HER LOVE OF MUSIC


Connie tells us about the inspiration for “FACE THE MUSIC” artworks, “I was once a violinist – not a brilliant violinist, but more than competent and I loved playing the instrument.  I was never a professional musician but I derived so much pleasure from making music on my lovely violin alone and with friends who played other instruments.   Injury to my fingers put an end to these pleasures. 

I listen to music every day of my life and since I can paint but not play, I derive a great deal of satisfaction from painting musical themes and musicians. I want to share that pleasure with others.”

Connie Eales, born in Gulgong NSW, grew up on the Central Coast and moved to Sydney when she enrolled at Sydney University for her first degree.  Connie achieved her BA, Dip.Ed and taught High School for three years before undertaking further post-graduate work at Macquarie University.  Her Masters degree and subsequent work in school counselling ensured her registration as a professional psychologist in NSW.

Connie occupied a senior executive position in the NSW Department of Education for 9 years in which time she also spent time working with the then Minister for Education.  During this time Connie achieved a Masters degree from the Graduate School of Management.

Connie ran her practice The Advancement Centre in Western Sydney for 10 years providing psychology services, career consulting and in-service training for individuals, schools and businesses.  Concurrently Connie taught in post-graduate courses at Macquarie University and UTS.

With this academic background you might wonder how Connie has come to be a well known artist in mid-western NSW.  The answer is that she decided on a career change.  She decided to pluck up the courage to relinquish a lucrative job to pursue a life-long desire – the desire to create the art that had been incubating for years in her heart and mind.  Connie had always been an artist at heart and whenever she could find some time in her life in the fast lane, she painted, even if it was only the occasional oil study.  Her husband and two daughters were frequently the subject of portrait vignettes.

In her new art career Connie took some classes, worked under the mentorship of several professional artists and just got in some good brush mileage.

The academic bug struck again in 2007/8 when Connie undertook post-graduate qualifications in Museum Studies at Macquarie University.  Connie curated exhibitions for Cudgegong Gallery and Mudgee Arts Council for several years while at the same time pursuing her own artistic bent.  She now holds one or more exhibitions a year to share her latest muse and patrons have described her work as addictive as many of them own two or more of her paintings and they claim that they never tire of looking at them and always see something in them that they never noticed before.


"Musica de Mondo"

Exhibition opens: Friday 30 March 2012 at 6.00 pm
Exhibition runs: 30 March – 29 April 2012   

"Through my eyes - Cambodian Inspiration" by Matthew Begg

Matt tells of the inspiration for this new exhibition of works “Seeing Cambodia for the first time was like looking at life with fresh eyes. In Cambodia everything is so different from the West- the architecture, the landscape, the way of living and the organization of the place-the country is so raw.

“I don’t want to capture just the grand architecture and the glamorous living. I want to capture the essence of the place, the beauty of the average building or street scene-the real Cambodia”.

Matthew Begg was born in Camden Australia in 1979 and is now residing in Dubbo in Central Western NSW. Matthew is a self taught artist, he developed an interest in art as a small child and as long as he can remember he has drawn and painted.

Matthew usually works with acrylic on cotton because of its versatile nature. His work is highly detailed, elaborate and engrossing and demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of perspective.

During Matthew’s trip to Cambodia he was inspired to paint the everyday life and the conditions that the people experience. He loved the honesty and rawness of the country, nothing was swept under the carpet - both beauty and harshness was exposed for all to see.

Matthews latest exhibited artworks have been inspired from photographs taken by himself, friends or family. He is currently working on a range of streetscapes.

"Paddy Field"

Exhibition opens: Friday 30 March 2012 at 6.00 pm

Exhibition runs: 30 March – 29 April 2012    

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

STRENGTH CONTRAST & BOLDNESS GALVANISES INTO ONE EXHIBITION

With references from Brancusi and Giacometti in strong sculptural totemic forms through to interpretations of the landscape around Hill End, the opening show for 2012 is a strong and inspired collection of highly desirable artworks from two well recognised artists, Julie Williams and Hui Selwood.

Julie works by applying heavily contrasted layers of paint with the fine lines of ghostly heritage buildings that evoke a deep response in the viewer. Against these, the works of Hui Selwood, stand as totemic forms that imply the presence of souls among the ruins.

This is a natural alliance between 2 artists and friends who work from the heartland of the gold rush in Hill End near Bathurst NSW.

Julie Williams - Painter
My art practice primarily involves using painting as a problem solving experience to produce contemporary works with historical references.  The works, which explore relationships between the landscape and the built environment, are a combination of immediate responses to specific sites and ideas developed in the studio. Where we live creates relationship both visually and metaphorically, built environments either blend, recede or dominate but in the end it is the landscape that remains. The Australian attachment to landscape is very strong and landscape painting carries a huge legacy.  I think of my own work as trying to find something interesting and meaningful to say about my immediate landscape and at the same time make work, which is lively and compelling.  My interpretations are dependent on plein air studies, antique maps, photographs and archival documents.  My influences are the landscape and architecture of the historic gold rush town of Hill End, NSW, a place wrapped in a rich history of immigration, which has become a metaphor for my own sense of belonging.

Hui Selwood – Sculptor
Abstract compositions in the materials of metal and wood, predominate my work. The sculptural compositions acknowledge an architectural quality, which stems from my interest in design, architecture and construction. These works continue to investigate architectural ideas and design with the emphasis on the vertical, referencing totems and figures. The totem is a subject, which has occupied me for years. Intrigued by the totems from various cultures and civilisations, such as Aboriginal, African, Central and South American and Oceanic tribes, Ancient European and Eastern civilisations. My interest in the totem extends to the totem pole, where not only a connection has been established with my interest in architectural references but also with the figure, the quasi-representation of our selves. Questioning the need for humans to erect tall vertical structures from the times of Stonehenge to the modern high rise. A curious parallel, the evolutionary steps of man from the horizontal to the vertical. These works are responses to totems of the past, to contemporary architecture and to the sculptures of Brancusi, Giacometti, Meadmore and David Smith’s Cubi series.



Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Art & Alchemy!

Like the process of alchemy, turning base metals to gold, Fresh Arts is about turning collective, raw talent into gold. The artworks in the “Alchemy” exhibition are diversely rich in concept, medium and execution.

Image by Rita Bruce

Alchemy, like art, is both a philosophy and a practice focused on transmutation. Digital prints, paintings in acrylic, oil and watercolour, wire and bone have been transformed into works that show the breadth and depth of creativity within the Fresh Arts collective. There are sixteen artists coming together for this show, bringing with them unique responses to the “alchemy” theme – explored through extensive research, playful experimentation with the medium or simply drawing upon their own personal narratives.



Image by Jack Randell


Image by Leanne Watt


Formed in 2004, Fresh Arts seeks out exhibition opportunities for its members and promotes professional arts practice in a region currently incorporating the towns of Dubbo, Geurie, Narromine, Gilgandra and Warren. There are currently about 30 artist members in the collective, who exhibit together several times a year.

Artists showing are:
Kim Goldsmith, Lara Scolari, Jack Randell, Tamara Lawry, Stuart Stendall, Merryn Spencer, Vicki Gainsford, Laura Holland, Nicola McCutcheon, Penny Volkofsky, Leanne Watt, Annette Simpson, Gill Pedrana, Rita Bruce, Jude Fleming, Jude Morrell

Kim Goldsmith describes her work so: As an artist who often works in digital mediums, I feel there is often a degree of magic that occurs between capturing an image with a machine and the processes it then goes through to become something recognised as an artwork. Anyone can grab a digital camera and take photos these days, and even publish them. But art has an extra element; something that is often intangible or unexplainable. A dead bat found on the driveway can become an object of fascination when enlarged through digital processes and illuminated.


Image by Kim Goldsmith


Don't miss this show!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

"The Living Landscape" by Georgia Mansur


Georgia Mansur grew up in California and moved to Australia in 1984, settling with husband Pete on a cotton property one hour west of Moree, NSW. This isolated new environment gave Georgia the opportunity to look inward for her source of creativity and self-expression. Painting and communicating her world became an inner wellspring of discovery and joy for the artist.

Now living on their vineyard in Mudgee, Georgia has continued to explore watercolour, pastels, acrylics, mixed media and oils to find the best way to express her fascination with nature. Being able to share through art that original emotion of being moved by nature; watching the shadows grow long against the setting sun is a wonderful expression of the human experience.



A particular interest in helping others to see the way light and colour on form produces artistic ‘magic’ drives Georgia to share this passion with others.

Teaching and communicating about creativity and self expression through art has been a fulfilling experience for the artist. As Artist in Residence at Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef, as well as teaching workshops around the country and overseas, Georgia enjoys that interaction from helping others to tap into the natural creativity within us.

Having completed a Bachelor of Communication at CSUS (California), Georgia feels painting is another level to communicate with others in a way that goes beyond words. Making a connection with the viewer of one’s artworks and truly touching and inspiring them with what you have created is this artist’s ultimate goal.

Georgia has studied with many well known Australian and International painting masters, including Joseph Zbukvic, Herman Pekel, Patrick Carroll, Alvaro Castagnet, David Taylor, Colley Whisson, Chris Brown, Colina Grant, Les McDonough, Mignon Parker, Jeff Rigby, Jerry Fresia (Italy) and Gil Dellinger, Terry Miura and Ignat Ignatov (California) to name a few.

Georgia was a finalist in the 2008 Country Energy $35,000 Landscape Prize, and has won many awards, including First Prizes in art shows with judges Edmund Capon (Director Art Gallery of NSW), Justin Miller (Director Sotheby’s Australia), Georgina Pemberton (Australian Paintings-Sotheby’s), as well as being selected for the Calleen Art Prize, Cowra (twice), The Rocks Market Art Prize (3 times) and winner of the People’s Choice Award ‘Driven to Abstraction’, Mudgee.

Georgia participated in the San Clemente Plein Air event and Quick Draw in June 2010 and also was the recipient of the Cyndee Van de Walker Scholarship sponsored by LPAPA (Laguna Plein Air Painters Assoc) in July 2010.

Georgia's work is now showing in the Wells Fargo Bank Collection in Laguna Beach, California and at Randy Higbee Gallery in Los Angeles.

Georgia teaches at the Mudgee TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and is currently delivering Creativity/Mixed Media, Exploring Colour/Watercolours and an Arts Marketing course to help others get their career off the ground.

The artist has recently returned from the Northern Territory in outback Australia teaching art workshops and touring Kakadu National Park.  

Upcoming workshops and events:
Cortona, Italy 17-24 Sept 2011~ Plein Air Workshop
Santorini Greece 28 Sept-5 Oct 2011~ Plein Air Workshop
Grafton Artsfest 13-16 April 2011~ Mixed Media Workshop
Australian International Plein Air Event 10-22 March 2012
Artist in Residence at Hamilton Island Great Barrier Reef, 2011 dates to be confirmed
*Georgia is a Certified International Golden Paints Artist Educator *

Georgia Mansur’s work is in collections in Australia, USA, UK, Germany, Hong Kong, and Singapore. 



ARTIST STATEMENT
Painting is a form of communication that acts as a bridge directly from me
to you, no words necessary.  My intense passion to explore creates a process in which I am exposed and made vulnerable—my personal perceptions weave their way into pieces, imprinting like an individual stamp.

It is this honesty that I am looking for and it is all there, if we take the time to look for it.

My work is shaped by a deep connection to the land---growing up in a farming community in California, my years in the Australian Bush, as well as time spent on our Mudgee vineyard. The natural environment, in all its ugliness and all its glory, fascinates me--- echoing human nature in an intriguingly similar way.

Colour and light motivate me, fueling my passion to paint. Painting is like music, creating a reaction, evoking a mood---sometimes bold and vibrant, sometimes soft and reflective---expressing and enriching our lives.

I am most inspired by the changing light and how it affects forms so dramatically. Early morning/late afternoon are my favourite times of day to watch the sun moving, casting long shadows and creating wonderful drama, throwing everything into a balance of light and dark, soft and hard edges.

Communicating in the language of visual art is very satisfying for me to express what I think and feel; even more powerful when the message is received by the viewer, linking us in a way not possible before.

Sometimes words are inadequate and painting helps
me put a finger on my emotions and express them,
creating an awareness within.

In some ways it is like a key to a secret passageway~
a beautiful place of possibilities and connection to all humanity.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

"The Road to Tanami" via Molong!

An exhibition of recent artworks inspired by a journey through the most outback and desolate region of Australia, the Tanami Desert by Wanda Driscoll.

In her usual inimitable style, Wanda takes us to a new land, the Tanami desert in Central Australia. She is not called Wanda for nothing as her journeys take her to amazing places that many Australians have never seen and it is an extraordinary experience to be able to see these places through her particular style of paintings!



Colourful and rich, these artworks are imbued with the rawness of the Australian landscape, the depth and variety of colours. Her brushstrokes contain the freedom of the wind as they sweep across her canvasses.

The opening night was well attended and a lot of laughter as Wanda described her journeys to the gathered art lovers.



An art show that should not be missed! Only at the gallery for one month so come and see us soon! Exhibition ends 14 November.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Barber and Clark at the Gallery for Spring!

 Opening: Saturday 18 September 2010 at 6.30 pm

Jayes Gallery & Sculpture Gardens is delighted to be able to bring you an amazing array of new artworks and sculptures from artists across the Central West and as far as Sydney. 

“The Spirit of Place” by Ada Clarke
Ada Clark will be showing paintings from her recent travels to Central Asia and other exotic locations. Vibrant and clear works that glow with bright colours and free flows of paint, these paintings will transport you away to other places as these works portray “the spirit of place” in Ada’s own individual style. Alongside works from the Australian bush, Ada is presenting these new works for you to view and buy for the first time.





“Les Derniers Coquelicots” by Melissa Barber
Melissa tells us quietly that these are to be her last works on ‘Poppies’. We are amazed and appalled as Melissa’s poppies have been one of our favourite themes over recent years. These are rich gilded works dripping with the ripest of reds, a mass of thick paint and forms, so warm and inviting that you can ‘smell’ the poppies in their fields of glowing colours. So if you want a Melissa Barber Poppy painting, then this is the time to get on out to Jayes. Don’t dilly dally along the way as spring doesn’t last long!



Wednesday, May 19, 2010

“Occuló” & "Insomnia" 18 June - 11 July

'Lara Scolari's works in this coming exhibition glow from the walls. They are imbued with hidden meanings and suggested nuances all contained within layer upon layer of soft and subtle shapes, light forms overshadowed with darkness. These works have to be seen, sat with, pondered upon before they give up their meaning. The works contain such depth that they continue to grow and burn themselves into your psyche for a long time. These are not easy works to access but require time and intelligent consideration before the viewer can say comfortably that they understand them.

Scolari herself says of the works "I am intrigued by the complexity, hidden undercurrents and agendas involved in relationships. I relate these layered emotions to the stress of the natural landscape and the surfaces beneath our feet."

"I have expanded and developed my theme/concept and this informs an intimate visual language of organic colour, shape and line. These elements generate a personal response of emotions that are expressed within my work. As if diving beneath the surface (dreaming of what cannot be seen)."

"My work is produced in an Abstract Impressionist style, with focus on the use of line, organic shape, layering and colour. I employ a limited palette of warm earthy tones, punctuated with grey and white."

"I am investigating how visual imagery can translate the complexity of emotions, with a range of visual effects, including translucency and softness - gentle luminosity, quiet understatement (giving clues), subtleness, layering, movement and honesty."

"I attack each work in a vigorous energetic manner. I aim for depth of layers in my work, and build up each layer using a variety of media and experimental methods. I endeavour to give each line or mark vibrancy, energy, motion, mystery and emotion that the viewer can experience. To see or not to see; the artist's dilemma"




"Nurture" by Lara Scolari

In "Insomnia", artist Jocelyn Moles has brought together a number of bright and well crafted images formed through the collage of a variety of mediums. 

Jocelyn says of her work "I work as a mixed media artist, incorporating Photography, pen, paint, print techniques and collage into my work. Over the last few years I have developed an interest in making hand-made books. I love the opportunities it presents to explore themes in one piece of work."

"I like the challenge of creating a work of art through collage. I am especially drawn to recycling words and pictures from other media. The medium itself often manipulates words and pictures, so in turn I like to recycle their words to explore issues in my own artwork. Conscious of copyright, my own photography is incorporated more and more into my works. I love taking photos and digitally changing them to represent something different from the original."

"A lot of research and preparation goes into starting a body of work. I use the internet, library, art galleries and museums to research. In the process, my own knowledge and thought processes are expanded. I document this process in an art journal so that I can refer back as I do to the art pieces."