String Theory Focus on contemporary art: An MCA Touring Exhibition @ Wollongong Art Gallery

6 June – 30 August
This exhibition has a rivetting variety of forms of art involving string or thread. Over 30 Indigenous artists and art groups have contributed to this exhibition. There are children’s toys, tribal figures, jewellery, wicker sculptures, fabric and many other forms of artistic expression. Some of the artifacts have a spooky feel and others have a real sense of fun.
There some politically and historically powerful works included. My favourite was the “Black C” done in reeflection on the Joey Johns Rugby League slur. Some of the works address stolen generation issues and others deal with history and race issues
Below are some links, some pics and some emhemera.

http://www.wollongongartgallery.com/exhibitions/Pages/STRING-THEORY-FOCUS-ON-CONTEMPORARY-AUSTRALIA-ART-AN-MCA-TOURING-EXHIBITION.aspx

Pioneer Landscapes – Kate Ward @ CraftACT Gallery

Jewelery is not something I wear and lots of it looks very uncomfortable to wear next to your skin. However the creativity and artistry in lots of modern jewelery brings it into the centre of my love of art.

Pioneer Landscapes by Kate Ward in the glass cases at the entry of the CraftACT Gallery are five beautiful products of her residency at Hill End. They have an industrial look about them and do evoke a country town ambiance.

Pictures below show the five on display

Paul Gaultier @ National Gallery of Victoria

Sumptuous does not get close. All art combines skill and creativity. The work on display from Paul Gaultier haut couture doyen from London has transformed my sense of art when applied to clothing. The display on at present in the NGV at St Kilda Road has everything – history, theatre, colour, diversity are woven together to give an exuberant sense of fun and flair.
Gailtier’s work weaves elements together from cultures and societies from all around the world. It draws on fantasy, the animal kingdom, social change and many other sources.
I am a t-shirt and shorts person myself. I have never bought a seriously high fashion item of clothing in my life. To me high end shoping is when I move from Salvos to Lowes. However I drooled for two hours over some of the most stunningly beautiful items of clothing I have ever seen. Some were over the top and almost unwearable but most were fascinating examples of the art of clothes making.
THe video and guide material showed his enthusiasm for his art. The variety and range of the clothes showed he had done fabulous work over decades. He has some distinctiv motifs but is never constrained by any form. The whole collection speaks of enormous talent worked through a creative team.
My bigest regret was that I only got there at 3pm which meant I had only two hours (I used all of it). The pics below do not do the show justice.

Sculpture to wear – Eberharde Franke @ Goulburn Regional Art Gallery

Jewellery is not my favourite art form but I have always admired the creativity an skill of the jewellery makers. At the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery is a delightful exhibition of unique jewellery. Eberharde Franke makes art inspired by Australian natural living objects.
I look at the brooches, the neclaces, the earings and other decorative arts and am impressed with the delightful way Franke has replicated and referenced nature in jewelery.
Have a look at the variety shown in the objects pictured below.

Small works @ Beaver Galleries

In the lead up to Christmas the Beaver Galleries puts on a Small works show. Artists are asked to supply small (gift size) art works for exhibition. The show this year has over 20 artists expressing themselves in ceramics, glass, painting, works on paper and sculpture.

Below are a set of pics drawn from the show with the artist along side. There was not a take away sheet but each artist has a wall plaque with prices on it.

Andrew Baldwin,

Alexander Boynes,

Nick Straks,

Barbie Kjar,

Chris Denton,

Nicole Ayliffe,

Ann McMahon,

Jeremy Lepisto,

Wayne Mcara,

Prue Venables