Work in Progress catalogue

Front Cover: Jan Hynes, Beware of Pot Holes, 2012, 70 x 90cm oil on canvas Back Cover: Alan Valentine, Helping Hands, 2013, 34 x 34 x 37.5cm, wood, aluminium, brass, pewter, plastic, magnets, automotive bog, paint.

UmbrellaStudio

#WorkInProgress

Umbrella Studio contemporary arts | 482 Flinders Street, Townsville | (07) 4772 7109 www.umbrella.org.au | admin@umbrella.org.au | Open: Mon-Fri 9-5pm & Sun 9-1pm Umbrella Studio acknowledges the financial support of: The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments.

WORK IN PROGRESS JAN HYNES & ALAN VALENTINE 23 August - 29 September 2013 Umbrella Studio contemporary arts

WORK IN PROGRESS Work in progress sees two established Townsville artists exhibiting their observations of workers in near-city suburbs.

Jan Hynes and Alan Valentine live in neighbouring suburbs and have become fascinated with the activities of road workers. This was the catalyst for their joint exhibition Work in progress.

As senior artists Hynes and Valentine are able to look back several decades and comment on changes that have taken place in the workforce. Safety has become a primary concern and is manifest in the proliferation of signage; areas cordoned off with orange netting and safety cones; high-viz work wear, steel capped boots and protective helmets.

In addition to safety concerns, there is an increase in the social profile of

the workers. Companies fit out their employees in distinctive uniforms emblazoned with logos. All this fosters a team spirit among the workers who, like a sporting team, wear their uniform with pride.

Significant changes also are noticeable in the role women perform in the work force. Women now hold positions and do work which was previously considered “men’s work”.

Both artists have a similar capacity to see humour in everyday situations.

This idiosyncratic sense of fun has often been described as quirky and is readily apparent in their light hearted interpretation of the familiar. It is this distinctive approach which brings together Alan’s sculptures and Jan’s paintings making Work in progress an exhibition which observes the familiar and comments on change in a witty way.

Image Credits (clockwise left to right): (1) Jan Hynes, Preparing for the cyclone, 2012, oil on canvas, 70 x 90cm (2) Alan Valentine, Bower Builder, 2013, Wire, polymer clay, automotive bog, epoxy glue, paint, 18 x 16 x 120cm (3) Alan Valentine, Morning delivery, 2013, Wood, aluminium,brass, glue, magnets, paint, red rubber bands, 16cmx24cmx10.5cm (4) Jan Hynes, Postie attack, 2012, oil on canvas, 70 x 90cm