Human history is filled with conflict over race, ideology and environment. It seems to be an almost inevitable part of human relationships and the world we live in.

I have an avid interest in history, particularly military history; and as much as I don’t advocate violence, I am fascinated by the resources and time humans have devoted to warfare and the art of killing each other.

My work references the historical archetypes of the warrior, but placed within an ambiguous timeframe and location; this could be an alternative history, a post apocalyptic future where humanity continues to fight each other in a world decimated by chemical and nuclear warfare. Or is it a mythological battleground, a kind of dystopian Valhalla where humanity is condemned to eternal warfare with a demonic enemy?

Juxtaposing natural flora and fauna with industrial and urban elements; I find both equally fascinating from an aesthetic point of view, but land that has been ‘developed’ by humans seems to lack something we find in an untouched natural environment. As we plunder the land for resources it becomes denuded and is turned into a wasteland, devoid of life.

Traditional forms of storytelling from Assyrian sculpture, to the Bayeux tapestry inform my work, with the use of multiple panels and long scrolls used to build a sense of an epic narrative or a grand adventure. 

New Bestiarum is a group exhibition of printmaking and drawing by Alex Game, kyoko Imazu and Emmet O’Dwyer. The show runs from May 2-25, 2013.

Alex Game   Fall of the U.A.C Crusader   intaglio & aquatint

Alex Game   Fall of the U.A.C Crusader (detail)  intaglio & aquatint

Alex Game   Passage to Arcadia   intaglio & aquatint

Alex Game   The Wellspring   intaglio & aquatint

Alex Game   The Wellspring (detail)    intaglio & aquatint

I will state that as an artist I start out with

Nothing to see

Nothing to hear

So I put on an apron made of magnets

Pick up a satchel of wire

And climb into the place where pictures live

Find a way through

Covering and uncovering

Pinning through the middle

Flags and a sky boat soaring

His dream again that his teeth fell out

Catching memories before they fade

Steps leading into still water

Nests that are places of refuge if you are small

Clouds floating by again

There was once a typewriter that knew what you were thinking

But only if you were thinking about typing

Between page 34 and page 35 someone had left a note:

The author would like to reassure the reader that

Some names of some days have been changed

This I know to be true

Trudy White likes to work with paper, pencils, watercolour, lines, ink, nib pens, texture, words, brushes, biro, fabric, sticks, a computer, collage, acrylic paint, clay, string, coloured paper squares, plasticine, gouache, wire, and textas, in books, on small pages, on large rolls of paper, on canvas, on wood and on old printed pages.

She has had five solo exhibitions of artwork, been in many group shows and had three illustrated books of fiction published (by Allen & Unwin and Curriculum Press).

Trudy also illustrates other people’s work for books, print media, and design.  She created a book within a book for the beautiful novel ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak.

As well as making pictures and writing, Trudy teaches drawing and writing workshops to both adults and children and people in between, at schools, libraries and universities, including Monash Universtiy, RMIT, Victorian College of the Arts, Centre for Adult Education, ArtPlay, the State Library of Victoria, NMIT, TAFE colleges, and, one wonderful time, to children at the Cirque du Soleil traveling school.  She has been a Creative Fellow at the State Library of Victoria, and a recipient of some Australia Council and Arts Victoria arts grants to create work.

The technique she adopts in keeping with her interest is also a mixture of the old and the new. Her preferred medium is printmaking and mixed medium with an emphasis on combining digital prints with traditional methods to create a hybrid of the two.

“In the series that I am working on at the moment “Cat’s cradle” I have used images of children, being representative of the future, and the dog (the companion of humans since civilizations began), being a representation of the old traditions/customs. I have placed them in fantasy landscapes reminiscent of the fairytales told to us as children to teach us society’s codes.  I draw on the surrealists method of the accidental by pouring ink and paint onto a substrate which then blends, giving me an image to scan into the computer to be printed as an archival digital print. The overlaying of new technology (computer generated print) with the traditional methods of papercuts, ink, acrylic paint and metal leaf creates a hybrid of the two, epitomizing the influence of the past on the future and the persistence of traditions to subvert the new.”

‘This body of work is a continuation of my last project – Immersed. It is also a prequel to the next project,’ the Butcher.’

I am interested in a conversation in how we source our food. This body of work begins to create a framework for this discussion, through the study of light and texture in the still life.  Within this space foodstuff comes and goes.  The abode in which this frame exists, houses the collected food and the space in which it is consumed.  The time of day changes and is indicated by the quality and temperature of the light, the clean light of mid morning through a small Dutch window, the racked warm tungsten light through the slit of an open door after sun down. Through the still life, or vignette if you will, human consumption is the focus.  I look forward to continuing this study over the coming year.’

Cricket’s photographs are part of our current show “Eight Women” which continues through to 27 April

Bingkai Frames and Art owned and operated by Ching Teoh and Eng Khoo, provides custom framing for artwork, memorabilia and collectables.  Eng’s training has qualified him with the distinction of a Guild Commended Framer, which is certified by the Fine Art Guild, London.  Being a Guild Commended Framer, Eng abides to the Guide Code of ethics to ensure the workmanship of his framing and maintaining preservation standards. Bingkai previously based in Penang, Malaysia undertook many challenging jobs,  framing valuable  antiques and artworks.

Bingkai Frame and Arts is situated at Studio 5 / 21 Rutland St, Newtown (access at rear of building)

Ching can be contacted: 0477279366 / info@bingkai.com.au

Boom Gallery is pleased to present a wonderful exhibition of illustrations by Eliza Feely

Discarde is a vibrant collection of satirical works on paper drawn as an open conversation of these uniquely familiar places.  The oddities, sense of transience and shared histories contained therein.

The exhibition is brimming with wit and nostalgia. There are over 100 drawings that tell some wonderful stories.  Such a delightful show, it runs until Easter – don’t miss viewing this one!

Georgia says about her work :

“My painting explores the relationships created in simple colour and shape formations and patterns. I generally work in acrylics and paint many layers onto canvas. The layering creates the textural structure I am looking for. I am captivated by ancient designs and look for ways to reference them in my work. I have always been drawn to pattern, particularly in fabric design. There are references to Indian textile design and ethnic designs found in Africa and Australian Aboriginal painting. For me, the experience of making the painting is the thing. The excitement of applying paint to canvas, the luscious quality and rich colours of the medium, and the captivating inner dialogue, are what I seek. These are moments when time stands still and nothing else matters. “

Her show continues until March 16th.

We’ve been fortunate to show Ellie’s work over the last year, and are so excited for her with this new project.  Congratulations to Ellie and Gorman for this beautiful little design hook up.

Check out www.gormanshop.com.au to see the full range.

Thanks to Gorman for these pics.

2013  is shaping up to be an exciting year for Ellie as she continues to make and exhibit her art but also as she is about to launch a collaboration with the amazing Gorman clothing.  This is a wonderful opportunity for Ellie’s playful, bold use of colour and pattern to be applied to one of Melbourne’s most loved labels.  Go to www.gormanshop.com.au to find out more.