EMERGENCE -
An exhibition showcasing the works of 3 emerging artists, with a commitment to exploring; form, tone, colour, composition and importantly -story telling. I'm excited by the talent and the depth of narrative in these works - at times edgy, at times intimate, and at times - amazing. Enjoy!
Fiona Ryan-Clark is an emerging ceramic sculptor whose works in the exhibition Emergence, capture figures deep in their disguises, yet on the verge of transition. All the figures wear masks or are decorated with the trappings of roles, encouraging the viewer to ask: “Who is the person behind this disguise?” or “What masks am I wearing and who am I really?”. She is inspired by the clown-figures (Kosa) of Pueblo Indian cultures in the US, whose role is to move between worlds and remind people of what is important in life. The Pueblo believe they come from the earth, return to the earth, and that artists channel the cultural knowledge of ancestors.
N.G. Malla’s art practice focuses primarily on urban and domestic landscapes; particularly homes and residential neighbourhoods. She is interested in the familiar houses and streetscapes across Australia’s inner city, suburban and country towns, the memories and hopes they evoke about our own housing histories and aspirations, and the assumptions we may make about their occupants. The strong visual language associated with each architectural style; from the ‘colonial’ cottage to the Victorian terrace; Federation bungalow; mid-century fibro and beyond, and their interactions with Australian native vegetation, exotic species, and intense sunlight – lend character and meaning to our everyday streets and suburbs. Her domestic interiors and still life paintings continue this interest with the Australian home and the ways in which rooms and objects echo people or place – from the floral patterning on a living room sofa to the glimpses of garden through a window.
Kjell Everingham: "My art practice, specifically painting, is a way for me to explore and reflect on life's questions. I believe that the space around a subject is essential, as it creates significance and structure in a composition. These boundaries between thoughts and the world around us are symbolic of our lives - representing internal and external emotions. My art is a reflection of my personal experiences, highlighting the borders and frames that are often overlooked. Through my work, I aim to bring attention to all emotions, including love, gratitude, pain, and loss, viewing them all with equal importance in the pursuit of balance in life."
