LORRAINE RASTORFER

LORRAINE RASTORFER Vanitas

23 Nov - 18 Dec

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

Milford Galleries Dunedin 18 Dowling Street (03) 477 7727 info@milfordhouse.co.nz

Temporal (2013) acrylic on board, panel: 1190 x 1500 x 42 mm

1

Flux (2013) acrylic on board, panel: 1200 x 1502 x 44 mm

2

Memento (2012) acrylic on board, panel: 1001 x 1610 x 42 mm

3

Valence (2012) acrylic on board, panel: 801 x 1602 x 43 mm

4

Brevity (2012) acrylic on board, panel: 1191 x 1191 x 42 mm

5

Allusion (2013) acrylic on board, panel: 1502 x 1200 x 43 mm

6

Glance (2013) acrylic on board, panel: 1190 x 819 x 42 mm

7

Pursuit (2013) acrylic on board, panel: 1130 x 960 x 42 mm

8

Vanitas (2012) acrylic on board, panel: 1000 x 1610 x 42 mm

9

Vanitas continues Lorraine Rastorfer’s exploration of the nature of painting, the contradictions inherent in the painted surface and the role of serendipity in the creation of her works. The title of the show links her practice to Northern European paintings in the 16th and 17th centuries, where ‘vanitas’ was used to emphasise the fleeting nature of earthly existence.

The vagaries of transience and chance have occupied Rastorfer for a number of years and she uses painterly gesture combined with “visual incidents” (1) to create works that appear to capture a single moment in time. Along with the careful layering of paint and pigment, Rastorfer embraces unintentional occurrences that arise from intrinsic variables in her materials. In Glance (2013), spontaneous variances in width, tone and form lend the swirls a sense of organic growth as well as emphasising surface movement and energy. Ribbons of red and gold seem caught mid-dance and this intricate web has a life of its own that the artist has managed to freeze momentarily.

Drawing on the history of abstraction, Rastorfer challenges the flatness of the painted surface and the materials she uses. Her layered mark-making creates depth where there is none and movement of a static medium on a fixed plane. Vanitas (2012) reveals a textured void in which the colour itself is embodied and coils through space. The dense blue strata in Pursuit (2013) invite the eye to look through convoluted waves and loops to an imagined background, and (apparently) random spots of light float on the ‘surface’ of the painting, reinforcing the illusion of a non-existent three-dimensionality.

Each painting in Vanitas displays an elegant unity of rhythm, form and tone that at once pleases the eye and invites contemplation of the artist’s concepts. Illustrating the paradox of a continual yet unmoving flux, the complexity of Lorraine Rastorfer’s paintings allows the works to be seen anew over and again.

1. Lorraine Rastorfer, Artist’s statement, October 2013

EXHIBITION PRICELIST 1

Temporal (2013)

6,250

2

Flux (2013)

6,250

3

Memento (2012)

5,750

4

Valence (2012)

5,000

5

Brevity (2012)

5,000

6

Allusion (2013)

6,250

7

Glance (2013)

4,250

8

Pursuit (2013)

4,500

9

Vanitas (2012)

5,750

Lorraine Rastorfer acknowledges the generous support of the Wellington Institute of Technology in assisting with funding for this exhibition

All prices are NZD and include GST; Prices are current at the time of the exhibition

LORRAINE RASTORFER b. 1961, lives Wellington

Brevity (2012)

"Lorraine Rastorfer's paintings combined formal elegance with an uplifting sense of motion rooted in human dynamics... She has discovered a process of 'weaving' multiple layers of transparent paint an iridescent varnish to create a charged atmosphere. Precise and random elements join to animate the surface." (1) "Rastofer is interested in creating psychological atmosphere involving space and time and there's an immense depth and solidity to such light, effortless apparitions." (2) Rastorfer spent two years living in Japan and credits this experience for her love of aesthetics of refinement and restraint. Surfaces glisten with overlaid fibrous thread like patterns in metallic reds, blues, pinks and bronze referencing silk oriental fabrics or Japanese Zen gardens.

“The viewer is drawn in by the shimmering woven lines which swirl, overlay and intersect the canvas…The ambiguous nature of the work coupled with the virtuoso handling of the traditional mediums significantly impress.” (3) Lorraine Rastorfer was born in 1961, Wellington. She completed a Master of Fine Arts, Elam School of Fine Arts 1992 and has exhibited regularly since. Currently Rastorfer is a senior lecturer in Visual Arts at the School of Creative Technologies, Wellington Institute of Technology. Runner up in the Wallace Art Award 1993 and a finalist 1999-2002 & 2004, Rastorfer has been awarded numerous awards and grants including 2005 CoCA/Anthony Harper Contemporary Art Award, 2003 Wellington Institute of Technology Research Grant, 2001 Art Waikato National Art Award and 1993 Ida Eise Painting Award. Her work is represented in corporate collections such as Chapman Tripp, Telecom, Auckland Institute of Architects and James Wallace Arts Trust, and in private collections in Japan, Australia, UK, USA, Austria and New Zealand.

1.

2.

3.

Kathy Corner, Art News, Autumn 2009 ibid Dr Richard Bullen & Margaret Duncan, Judges Comments, 2005 CoCA/Anthony Harper Award

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Milford Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

LORRAINE RASTORFER b. 1961, lives Wellington EDUCATION 1992 1989

Masters of Fine Arts (First Class Hons), Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University Bachelor of Fine Arts, Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2013 2011 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2002 2000 1997 1996 1995

1994 1993 1991 1990

Vanitas, Milford Galleries, Dunedin Zwischen, Mark Hutchins Gallery, Wellington Deluge, Milford Galleries Dunedin Zeigen, milford galleries queenstown Himmel, Mark Hutchins Gallery, Wellington Conversations, The Dowse Museum, Wellington (With Elizabeth McClure) Selected Works, milford galleries queenstown (With Johnny Turner) Airborne, Milford Galleries Dunedin New Work, Mayer Gallery, Napier Coming Home, The Fridge Gallery, WelTec, Wellington Crenellation, Vavasour/Godkin Gallery, Auckland Splinter, Vavasour/Godkin Gallery, Auckland Kanji Lessons, ASA Gallery, Auckland Current Crossings, Mie Prefecture Art Museum, Tsu, Japan New Paintings, Genkan Gallery, Tokyo American Club, Japan Eclipse, Gallery EX, Tokyo, Japan New Work, Foreign Correspondence Club, Tokyo, Japan Introducing Lorraine Rastorfer, Mochizuki Gallery, Hadano City, Japan New Work, ASA Gallery, Auckland Terra Incognito, ASA Gallery, Auckland Natural Order, Proba Gallery, Auckland

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2013 2012

2011

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006

2005

2004

Large Works 2, Milford Galleries Dunedin Showcase, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts Galleries, Wellington Women, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts Galleries, Wellington James Wallace Art Award (Selected Finalist), TSB Centre, Auckland NZ Painting and Printmaking Award (Selected Finalist), Summer Gardens Pavilion, Hamilton Wallace Art Awards, (Selected Finalist), TSB Wallace Arts Centre, Auckland Game on, A Selectors Choice, Hastings City Art Gallery, Hastings Parallel, Milford Galleries Dunedin Material Motives, Milford Galleries Dunedin Munro, Rastorfer, Riley (Three Person Exhibition), Mark Hutchins Gallery, Wellington Masterworks, milford galleries queenstown National Drawing Award Exhibition, Artspace, Auckland; Wellington; Christchurch; Dunedin The New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award (Finalist), Hamilton Moments, milford galleries auckland Norsewear Art Awards (Finalist), Hawkes Bay Exhibition Centre National Drawing Award, The Physics Room, Christchurch; Artspace, Auckland Summer Show, Milford Galleries Dunedin Summer Show, milford galleries auckland CoCA/Anthony Harper Contemporary Art Award exhibition, Christchurch Drawing: Out of Exile, Te Tuhi –The Mark, Auckland Tutors Exhibition, The Fridge Gallery, WelTec, Wellington Norsewear Art Awards (Finalist), Hawkes Bay Exhibition Centre Summer Show, Milford Galleries Dunedin Wallace Art Awards, (Touring Finalist), Auckland; Wellington Dowse Foundation Auction, Dowse Museum, Wellington

Lorraine Rastorfer 2013 CV P a g e |2

Milford Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

2003 2002

2001

2000 1999

1998 1996 1994 1993 1992

Koru Lounge Exhibition, Wellington Airport, courtesy of Tinakori Gallery Overview: Abstraction & Still Life, Milford Galleries Dunedin Red and White, Mayer Gallery, Napier Artist in Residence, Mayer Gallery, Napier Christmas Exhibition, Tinakori Gallery, Wellington New Abstraction, Milford Galleries Dunedin Wallace Art Awards, (Touring Finalist), Auckland, Wellington Thawed, The Fridge Gallery, Wellington Group Show, Vavasour/Godkin Gallery, Auckland Wallace Art Awards, (Finalist), Auckland Group Show, Vavasour/Godkin Gallery, Auckland Cranleigh Barton Drawing Award (Finalist), Christchurch Wallace Art Awards, (Touring Finalist), Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch Group Show, Vavasour/Godkin Gallery, Auckland 100 x 100 Exhibition, McPherson Gallery, Auckland Visa Gold/Wallace Art Awards, (Finalist), Auckland Group Show, Vavasour/Godkin Gallery, Auckland Committed, Fisher Gallery, Auckland Ida Eise Exhibition, ASA Gallery, Auckland Wallace Art Awards, (Finalist), Auckland Small Works Show, ASA Gallery, Auckland 18th J.I.A.C Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum, Japan Visa Gold/Wallace Art Awards, Auckland

AWARDS & GRANTS 2013 2009 2008

2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

2000 1999 1997 1996 1993 1992

Artist in Residence, New Pacific Studios, Mt Bruce, Wairarapa Wellington Institute of Technology Research Grant, (awarded annually since 2003) WelTec Research Grant: Travel to Venice Biennale People’s Choice Award, Norsewear Art Awards (semi-finalist), Hawkes Bay Exhibition Centre The New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award (Finalist), Hamilton National Drawing Award (Finalist) The New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award (Finalist), Hamilton Norsewear Art Awards (Finalist), Hawkes Bay Exhibition Centre National Drawing Award (Finalist) CoCA/Anthony Harper Contemporary Art Award (Premier Award), Norsewear Art Awards (semi-finalist), Hawkes Bay Exhibition Centre Wallace Art Awards (Touring Finalist) Wellington Institute of Technology Research Grant Wallace Art Award, (Touring Finalist) Art Waikato National Art Award & Air NZ Travel Scholarship Wallace Art Award (Finalist), Auckland Cranleigh Barton Drawing Award (Finalist), Christchurch Wallace Art Awards (Touring Finalist) Visa Gold/Wallace Art Awards (Finalist), Auckland Derivan Art Award / Sponsorship, Auckland Wallace Art Award (Finalist), Auckland Ida Eise Painting Award (Premier Award), Auckland Society of Arts Visa Gold/Wallace Art Award (Runner - up), Auckland

COLLECTIONS Anthony Harper Collection, Christchurch ANZ National Bank Collection, Auckland Art Union Collection, Auckland Auckland Institute of Architects, Pembridge Collection Chapman Trip Sheffield Young, Wellington James Wallace Arts Trust Collection, Auckland Telecom Collection, Wellington

Lorraine Rastorfer 2013 CV P a g e |3

Milford Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

Warwick Brown Collection, Auckland Wellington Institute of Technology Collection, Wellington Also private collections in Japan, Australia, England, Austria, USA and New Zealand

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 2011 2010 2009 2007 2007 2006 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2004 2002 2001 2001 2001 2000 1997 1997 1996 1996 1996 1995 1995 1993 1992

1991 1989

Game on, A Selectors Choice Catalogue, Hastings City Art Gallery, Hastings Amery M, ‘Blooming All Over’, Dominion Post, 1/10/10 Corner, K. Postcards from Wellington, Art News, Autumn Clarke, J. Meshworks, Lorraine Rastorfer Exhibition Catalogue, The New Dowse, Wellington, December ‘Sombre Painting Springs Prize Surprise’, Dominion Post, 11 June 2007 Norsewear Art Award 2007 Exhibition Catalogue, Hawkes Bay ‘Organising Rastorfer’, Art Zone, No.10. 2005 ‘Layering Virtuoso’, The Press, 1/6/05 Famularo, D., ‘A Japanese Influence’, Dominion Post 11/02/05 ‘Painting The Unpaintable’, Hawkes Bay Times, 9/11/05 ‘Combing and Canvasses’, Havelock North Village Post,10/2/05 Norsewear Art Award 2005 Catalogue The Extraordinary Dowse Foundation Auction Catalogue Overview: Abstraction & Still Life, Catalogue, Essay by James Dignan, Milford Galleries, Dunedin McKenna, T. ‘Worth Drive up Napier Hill to See’, Hawkes Bay Today, 4/2/04 Watson S., ‘Suffering for your Profession’, NZ Herald, 25/02/02 ‘Opening Shots’, Art News, Autumn/01 ‘Best of 181’, Arts on Friday, NZ Herald, 26/02/01 Sibson, T., Reviews, Waikato Times, 17/02/01 Crenellation featured on Night-line TV3, 12/7/00 Stewart, K., Arts Review, National Radio, 16/10/97 McNamara, T.J., Perspective on Art, NZ Herald, 9/10/97 Stewart, K., ‘An Understated Beauty’, Sunday Star-Times, 29/9/96 McNamara, T.J., Perspective on Art, NZ Herald, 26/9/96 Hayden, J., ‘City Brings New View of World’, Sunday Star-Times, 22/9/96 Current Crossings, Catalogue, Essay by Nicola Baird, NZ Embassy, Tokyo, Japan Tsu News, Mie Prefecture, Japan. 21/5/95 McNamara, T.J., Perspective on Art, NZ Herald, 27/5/93 & 27/2/93 ‘Rush For Prize’, NZ Herald, 19/3/92 ‘Last Minute Dash for Prize’, NZ-UK News 18/3/92 McNamara, T.J., Perspective on Art, NZ Herald, 30/4/92 McNamara, T. J., ‘Artist’s Deserve Attention’, NZ Herald, 26/9/91 Cartwright, G., The Brain, No. 1 Vol. 1.1989

Allusion (2013)

Lorraine Rastorfer 2013 CV P a g e |4

Milford Galleries Dunedin

www.milfordgalleries.co.nz