Plant

Brendan Kelly

Can you describe to us the type of artist you are, and the medium you work in?

I’m an abstract figurative painter who also likes to draw and make things. My work tends to fracture, bend or morph in layers to a point where it sometimes finds new realities or outcomes as an image. I mostly use acrylic paint because it dries fast, and charcoal to draw with but I also use photo collage, graphite, ink and anything else that helps.

What motivates you to ‘create’?

I tend to work in bursts of interest on a particular theme, which might be something I’m interested in knowing more about, or something I’ve seen while out and about that just caught my attention. I sort of pick things up and mess around with them until I eventually throw them away. It’s a bit like dissecting something until it’s all broken into tiny pieces.

Where did you learn your craft, or is it something you were blessed with?

I was always a very active child, probably too active really and used to drive my mother a bit crazy at times. She’d grab something at hand, put it in front of me and say, “Here you go, draw this!” and that would buy her a couple of minutes of peace. As an adult I learned all my fracture and layering techniques from a guy named Ron Curran who was from North Sydney. Ron was influenced by Francis Bacon for sure.

Do you find Lane Cove and surrounds a supportive place for artists and creators?

I’m about to be involved in an exhibition about The Northwood Group of painters (Rees, Wakelin, Santry, Lawrence, Whiteley) which apparently will be exhibited at Macquarie University and The Lane Cove Gallery, so I’d have to say I find Lane Cove and it’s surrounds extremely supportive towards me personally. I was born in Epping and grew up in Marsfield so all my earliest memories are from that area and are a huge influence.

Do you believe there should be more support for the arts, and if so, how would that manifest?

Yes. there should be more support, with more training and mentoring programs, more money available for large scale art initiatives in public spaces and a broader range of art in way more varied places. I’d like to see art in unexpected places at unexpected times. Money used to remove street art is a waste of money for one thing, leave the street art alone, it’s free.

How would we go about seeing your works?

It’s always best to see art in the flesh so Brenda Colahan Fine Art in Putney is where you can do that. My forthcoming exhibition Saint Ned runs from 10-24 March and for a sneak peek see online at https:// www.brendacolahanfineart.com/ exhibitions/21/overview/

Which artists/creators inspire you?

I’m mostly inspired by artists that work incredibly hard and are relentless and prolific in their output. Artists who just won’t stop no matter what. Sidney Nolan was one of those. Also Lloyd Rees.

For further info about my work contact info@brendacolahanfineart.com