Jenni Kemarre Martiniello: ReInventing the Weave @ Canberra Glassworks

The current exhibition at the Canberra Glassworks runs from 25 April to 7 June 2015 The blurb says “Weaving has been a long and durable practice within Australian Indigenous Cultures. This exhibition features the sublime, hand blown woven glass sculptures of Jenni Kemarre Martiniello which are inspired by, and draw upon, the beauty of traditional woven objects while paying respect to the elegant forms of these utilitarian vessels. The glass weave technique explores the geometry and precision of the traditional form, fusing it with the exquisite beauty of glass and light to celebrate the juncture of object and art.
This exhibition of her work is rich with wonderful earth colours and natural indigenous equipment inspired objects. They are beautiful.
Canberra Times article
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-life/jenni-kemarre-martiniello-reinvents-the-ancient-indigenous-tradition-of-weaving-but-with-glass-20150417-1mkwex.html
There are some pictures from it and the gallery sheets below:

Anew Negotiations Thai Contemporary wearable artists @ Bilk Gallery Manuka

Anew Negotiations Thai Contemporary wearable artists
The Bilk shop in Manuka is small but the stunning quality of their exhibitions is a real enjoyment. The current show is some wearable Jewellery created by artists from Thailand. The result is a combination of fun, beauty and clever creativity shown in broaches and other wearable jewellery. I have included their brochure and some pics of my own – gorgeous
Some links below:
http://www.bilk.com.au/#!thai-artists/c1dvx
http://www.bilk.com.au/
A Canberra Times article
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-life/anew-negotiation–work-by-eight-contemporary-thai-artists-20150410-1mdilv.html

Return to ANZAC Cove – ‘Your Friend The Enemy’ @ Drill Hall Gallery

One of the exhibitions that form part of the industrial scale World War One reminiscences currently on in almost every institution is the Return to ANZAC Cove – ‘Your Friend The Enemy’ exhibition at the Drill Hall Gallery
Thirteen artists were taken to Anzac Cove to record their reflections on the area in 100th anniversary year of the Anzac battles. They have recorded their impressions and they vary through impressionist to close to realistic images. The exhibition has a video showing in one room in which the artists are interviewed in situ about their reaction to Gallipoli.
Below the gallery sheet and some pics and the Drill Hall web page.
http://dhg.anu.edu.au/events/your-friend-the-enemy/

John Loane @ Megalo Print Studio and Gallery

There is an industrial griminess to the exhibition of John Loane’s etchings at the Megalo Gallery at present. His work is addressing issues in the art history world and it is explained in an extract on the gallery sheet below and in the longer version on the gallery website.
The works on display have been created in the last two years. They are large, dark and harsh visually but have a strength that is attractive.
Sample pics and gallery sheet below:

Capture – Brenda Runnegar @ Belconnen Arts Centre

Quote from the artist:

“The exhibition Capture comprises a series of paintings and digital composite works on rag paper, based on and inspired by my vintage doll collection.
The look of rag dolls is distinctive. The images all reflect the look – pale, lean, stark, almost gaunt. The exhibition includes some sample rag dolls and a variety of styles of representation.
Samples below:

Belconnen Arts Centre
http://www.belconnenartscentre.com.au/exhibitions/capture.html

Scab – Jacob Potter @ Canberra Contemporary Art Space Manuka

Jacob Potter has created some fascinating works for tis exhibition using unusual materials and surfaces. There are works that are painted on surfaces made up of parallel yarn, flyscreen materials and other translucent surfaces. The artworks have a surface element a material element and a see through back lit element. I wondered about the title of the exhibition “Scab”. It could have been that the surface of the works are set up in a scabrous way but that is my best guess.
Pics and gallery sheet below

Michael Taylor @ Nancy Sever Gallery

Michael Taylor has been creating abstract art for over 40 years. Nancy Sever Gallery at Kingston is hosting an exhibibition of his work created over the last two years. The colours, construction and titles are very engaging. I was not greatly aware of his work but will seek it out more having seen this striking collection of works.
Pics and gallery sheet below:

Artists in Residence @ Watson Arts Centre ACT

The current show at the Watson Arts Centre features a set of potters who have experienced residencies at the Watson Centre. There is a wide range of styles and some marvelous techniques visible in the gallery. Some have the look of sea creatures or sea vegetation. Others are practical objects like plates, cups, bowls etc. Come potters have created wall hanging art and there are some delightful objects in ceramics in which the artist experiments with shape, surface and glazes.

Below are a sample of pics and the gallery sheet:

Julie Brooke – Minimal Surfaces @ ANCA Gallery

The roots of the Minimal Surfaces exhibition are many. There is a basic geometry in all of it and it has that look of psychedelic art of the 70s. It has a look of those posters that you have to look at carefully to see another layer. The colours chosen are subtle and have a great relationship between parts of the picture to highlight the action of the geometric structure.

The best way to explain it is to give you some examples below with the gallery sheet. They are vibrant and animated when you look at them.

Weathered – Karyn Fearnside @ Belconnen Arts Centre

Digital photography gives great liberty to creatives and boundless options for expression. Karyn Fearnside has turned photos of her children into works of art that are almost haunting in their constructed beauty. She began the project with a focus on hair and so she has included a set of about eight objects made from their hair that often have delicate beauty accompanied by fun titles. Unique and delightful. Sample pics are below with gallery sheet.