HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS

Aquarius (the Water Carrier) 21 January - 19 February Pushing can get you a lot but don’t push too hard otherwise it could have the opposite affect of pushing back. You don’t want to burn out. Take things slowly for a while or you could go too fast and become overwhelmed. Pisces (the Fishes) 20 February - 20 March You might have to find a balance this month between your brain and what you feel is intuition. The reality you’re living in is at odds with what you’re processing what’s going on around you. Think before you speak and don’t put a foot in it. Aries (the Ram) 21 March - 20 April The ideas that you are having seem fantastic but be careful about jumping in with your feet first. You could organise your goals and take time on making your first decision.

Taurus (the Bull) 21 April - 21 May Friends of yours could drop a seriously fantastic opportunity in your lap this month. Take a lot of notice and don’t dismiss the idea when you first hear it. Don’t miss what can transpire this month. Gemini (the Twins) 22 May - 21 June If you’ve been looking at what direction to take in your life, then this month could be the start of a great journey. The doors that have up until now been closed to you will suddenly be open, if you look hard enough. Cancer (the Crab) 22 June - 22 July If you were asked to look beyond your scope of vision, would you do it? This month is the time to expand your horizons. You have no need to close yourself off from reality when you have the green light to move forward.

Leo (the Lion) 23 July - 21 August You might feel that this month isn’t going too well for you but you’ll be surprised because the opposite is happening. Your life is about to open up to new experiences. Embrace each day as it comes with those who matter most to you. Virgo (the Virgin) 22 August - 23 September Someone might be trying to get a message to you this month. Be open and receptive as you don’t know what form the message will take. An opportunity to advance your career will present itself and all you have to do is sign on the dotted line. Libra (the Scales) 24 September - 23 October You feel like you’re not enjoying yourself at the moment and you have this feeling like you’re on display somehow. If you feel like withdrawing from the scrutiny that is upon you it will be easy for you to retreat and reclaim the spotlight some other time.

Scorpio (the Scorpion) 24 October - 22 November Someone in your life is about to shake it up. Every aspect will change for good. A possible chance encounter from the past could have you changing the way you live your life. Sagittarius (the Archer) 23 November - 22 December You feel like you are rushed off your feet and have a million things to do. Prioritise the tasks that require a bit more focus and you’ll find that you’re not treading water anymore. Capricorn (the Goat) 23 December - 20 January You’re treading a fine line between work and play this month. What you’ll need to do is switch it up a bit. Concentrate more on work and let the bosses see that you are enthusiastic, and then you’ll be able to continue playing.

Figurative painting’s narrative can hint at new worlds in a myriad of ways, and these days, it’s refreshing to be immersed in the artist’s views rather than the news feed.

Liz Maw has made her own universe from blending the obscure with classic iconography. Her technique is almost painfully sharp, every detail shown in a stark and exacting manner that transcends realism. These paintings force their own reality, where everything is plainly stated yet any meaning completely opaque. At Ivan Anthony Gallery, Maw’s latest works glow on the walls.

In the centrepiece, Te Ra, a near life-size crucifixion has been clear-cut, its pale checkerboard background ready for your choice of new environs. The brilliant clash of a gold cross with a spill of violet fabric distract from the central deviance – a hand down loincloth. The martyr disregards his predicament in favour of the erotic embrace. Yet the true seduction is of us, the viewer, by the dazzling opulence of the painting itself, the startling clarity of colour and shape made sharper still by the indifferent grey squares from a computer program.

Pat by Sam Mitchell at Melanie Roger Te Ra by Liz Maw at Ivan Anthony

The paintings of Sam Mitchell at Melanie Roger Gallery use the universe of our past to create rich treasure maps of colour. Painted on the reverse of shiny Perspex, a brilliantly coloured figure dominates the work, perhaps a polychromatic avatar of the artist. Holding on to their blue skin like tatu are notes from the past, Easter eggs of information that seek to pique and then satisfy our curiosity. These are homage to iconic artists and authors, parts of their lives affixed to the artist. In the work, Pat names of places and people are inscribed next to visual cues for Pat Hanley’s most famous paintings.

Mitchell’s work shows how history’s narratives become our own, pieces of culture and pop breaking from the outside world to become embedded inside us. The influence of our idols becomes part of us, allowing us to select, absorb, and adapt these threads of culture into new forms.

Paintings' narratives help us see many other ways of experiencing the world, slower and steadier than the news feed. (EVAN WOODRUFFE, Studio Art Supplies)  PN

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