Karl Maughan "In Through the Outdoor"

KARL MAUGHAN In Through the Outdoor 3—27 October 2012

Gow Langsford Gallery hosted Karl Maughan’s first solo exhibition in 1989. Even as a young artist Maughan was captivated by what would later emerge as his signature subject – the garden.

Maughan has since found inspiration for his fictitious settings around the globe and, although ever faithful to his subject, several styles can be traced within his painting career. Beginning with thick impasto works of his Elam graduation exhibition, moving then to the hyper-real paintings that occupied his practice throughout most of the 1990s and on to the contrasting period of the early 2000s when subjects were paired back to more formal elements and his rhododendrons stylized; to the more recent, more fantastical, painting style. There have been noticeable shifts in focus, ranging from the close up details of flora and fauna to expansive garden vistas. More recently, Maughan has offered a new perspective in some recent works which have the appearance of looking through over hanging branches out into the landscape beyond.

For In Through the Outdoor Maughan employs the technique of running his paintings together. Some works operate both as individual pieces or those that can be joined together to create a diptych. As a grouping this latest body of work is dynamic; the paintings are vibrant renditions bursting with saturated colour.

There is a sophistication and maturity of style evident in In Through the Outdoor that is testament to the dedication Maughan has shown to his painting practice in the past two and a half decades.

Colyton Rd, 2012 oil on canvas 2 Panels-1525 x 1525 mm each

Rakehou Rd, 2012 oil on canvas 1525 x 1525 mm

Beaconsfield Valley, 2012 oil on canvas 2 Panels-1525 x 1525 mm each

Halcombe Rd, 2012 oil on canvas 1525 x 1525 mm Ashhurst Rd. 2012 (right) oil on canvas 1300 x 2700 mm

Victoria Ave, 2008 oil on canvas 1220 x1520 mm

Waituna Valley, 2012 (right) oil on canvas 1800 x 2300 mm