Exhibition '21 Grams' June 12th-14th 2015 Blackheath

June 14, 2015 in Inspiration

'21 Grams' is the title of the most recent exhibition of April White and Kay Bazley at Virgin Walls Gallery in Blackheath. April is showing recent paintings whilst Kay is exhibiting sculptural totems and metal work.

Kay Bazley & April White. Photography by James Blackwell

Fresh winners at this years Queens Birthday Weekend annual Bent Art exhibition in Wentworth Falls, April & Kay have curated a wonderful show to follow on from their success at Bent Art. April White was this years overall winner at Bent Art as well as winning the Painting category and Kay Bazley won the first prize for the category of sculpture as well as runner up for the Bent Art Prize. Both very worthy winners! Over the past few years, I have been fortunate enough to see the work of these two artists in several shows and look forward to future exhibitions.

April White has a B.F.A. Specialized Honours Degree, 1995, from the faculty of Fine Arts, York University, Canada and has travelled extensively, garnering inspiration and life experience for her full time studio practice which she has spent the past five years committed to. Her portraits are arresting in colour and imbued with a sense of veiled ambiguity.

Kay Bazley is an artist based in the Blue Mountains specialising in sculptural ceramics and welded steel. I'm looking forward to visiting Kay in her studio soon to learn more about her practice and inspiration. Watch this space...........

Blast from the past

June 10, 2015

I found a box of CD's recently which contained images from my days at The National Art School in Darlinghurst circa 2001. I have no idea who took these images or where they are taken but obviously I thought of myself as a painter! I often reflect on the fact that I majored in photography in third year, yet never used a camera for the final end of year work. In my honours year I majored in drawing but have gone on to be known for paper assemblages with the use of natural materials. There is something peculiar and contrary to the choices made but I have come to understand that how we perceive ourselves and what comes most naturally are very different. Prior to art school I lived with the preconception that being a painter made you an artist; or being a fine draughtsmen entitled you to wear 'artist' as a label. I've come to learn that there are many ways to see the world and just as many ways to create.

Janet Clayton Gallery Launch

June 09, 2015

I have been associated with Janet Clayton and her gallery since 2008 (Wilson Street Gallery) when it was located at Wilson Street Newtown before moving to Danks Street Waterloo and became known as Janet Clayton Gallery. Janet has secured a new home for her stable of artists at 406 Oxford Street Paddington. I was there last Sunday to celebrate the launch of the new location.

The new Janet Clayton Gallery at 406 Oxford Street, Paddington. Photography by James Blackwell

Many artists and friends of the gallery came along to see the inaugural exhibition at the new location titled 'Evolution', a group exhibition by her stable of artists showcasing old and new work.

Janet Clayton. Photography by James Blackwell

The new gallery is an intimate space with two floors and plenty of room to get lost in the artwork. It was wonderful to see at the launch past lecturers from the National Art School where I studied and graduated in 2002. Thirteen years ago I would never have imagined I'd be exhibiting alongside the likes of Bill Brown, Sue Archer and Deborah Beck.

Maxx Liong views the new space. Photography by James Blackwell.

The top floor of the new gallery. Photography by James Blackwell

Studio Visit

May 18, 2015

Art school colleague, photographer and friend Jodie Barker came to visit the mountains for the weekend and took some photos of the studio.

We also visited Mount Wilson, on a rainy, wet day huddled under a single umbrella hoping the downpour would abate. The autumn colours in Breenhold Gardens made it almost impossible to take a bad photograph.

I'm so grateful for keeping in touch over the years with Jodie since art school days. I find it difficult to believe 15 years have gone by since playing in the dark room at NAS.

Jodie lives and works in Sydney as a freelance photographer.

Photography by Jodie Barker