Arts
Image credit: Gladdish Grace - Wattlebird
CALL FOR ENTRIES ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 2014 BENDIGO BANK MATERIAL GIRL, TASMANIA’S PREMIER ART AWARD FOR WOMEN.
Photo credit: Lara Merrington
VISUAL ART:
PAINTFACE
Curated by Polly Dance, PAINTFACE aims to challenge and expand contemporary painting in Tasmania by offering artists IN JANUARY, THE USUALLY CLEAN the opportunity to present experimental WHITE WALLS OF CONSTANCE work. As Dance explains, Tasmania has ARTIST RUN INITIATIVE (ARI) BECAME a strong commercial painting scene with a well-established history, particularly A LITTLE MESSIER. PAINT WAS SPLASHED FROM CEILING TO FLOOR in the landscape genre. However gallery representation often requires artists AND THE GALLERY LITTERED WITH to produce consistent bodies of work. GUNKY BRUSHES, DISPOSABLE Consequently, commercially represented PALETTES AND OTHER DETRITUS painters often lack the opportunity and support to push the boundaries of their USUALLY FOUND IN AN ARTIST’S STUDIO. THE CAUSE OF THIS CHAOS practice. PAINTFACE supports artists from varying career stages to experiment with WAS THE LAUNCH OF PAINTFACE, unconventional sites and the materiality of A YEARLONG EXHIBITION SERIES paint.
PRESENTED BY THE GALLERY.
The project launched last month with four exhibitions: three at Constance ARI and one at the nearby Penny Contemporary Gallery. In Constance’s Main Space, Rob O’Connor’s Searched Hard For You and Your Special Ways transformed the gallery into a staged studio, complete with theatrically paintspattered clothing, paint tubes, sketches and other studio junk. This set-up seemed to reference the painter as mad-genius stereotype, made popular by artists such as Jackson Pollock. At the same time, many of these objects seemed to be O’Connor’s personal belongings, reflecting to some degree his own working methods.
responded to the idea of thresholds or inbetween spaces—a decision I’m sure Dance took into account when allocating Taylor the Foyer Space. The artist’s delicate circular watercolours were mounted on Barbie pink walls, creating an unsettling passageway between the other exhibitions. At Penny Contemporary, Melbourne artist Henry Jock Walker presented a series of live painting performances, collectively titled Painting Machines in Paradise. Established in 2012, Penny Contemporary has until now functioned as a traditional commercial gallery. While economic viability is crucial, it would be great to see more experimental work in the gallery. In addition to these exhibitions, the PAINTFACE launch also included an open studio by acclaimed artist Chen Ping. PAINTFACE runs through February and across 2014. The next instalment of this ambitious project has yet to be announced, but expect further experimental painting by artists such as Catherine Woo, Grant Nimmo, Fernando do Campo and Mae Finlayson. More information can be found at http://constanceari.org/. BRIDGET HICKEY
In the Paddy Lynn Space, Josh Foley’s exhibition Caffeine also responded to the studio space. Widely recognised in Tasmania for his brightly coloured landscapes, Foley departed from the canvas with a video piece and installation. Unlike O’Connor, Foley’s work comprised of authentic video footage and painting equipment taken in and from his studio, offering a more intimate portrait of the artist. To my mind, emerging artist Ben Taylor’s exhibition was the most intriguing. Titled Standing on the outside looking in, the work 26
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See the exhibition at Constance ARI, located on 100 Goulburn St, Hobart and Penny Contemporary is located on 187 Liverpool Street.
Tall Poppies: Late Bloomers is this year’s theme, and all media are welcome. Renowned for its quirkiness, in recent years a diverse range of mediums have been entered in the competition, including a short film, a diorama and a Facebook page. Now in its thirteenth year, Material Girl is an annual, themed, art award that began as an International Women’s Day event in 2002 and is presented by Tasmanian Regional Arts. It continues to support, celebrate and promote female creativity in Tasmania, and to encourage people to consider women’s roles in society. The catchy name was chosen to acknowledge that textiles were a traditional female art form, and originally focused heavily on textiles. Now encompassing all media, this everpopular competition ensures a dynamic exhibition for audiences. Two exhibition openings will be held, one each in the south and north-west of the state – at Moonah Arts Centre, Moonah from May 9 to May 24, and the Burnie Regional Art Gallery, Burnie from May 30 to June 29. This year’s prize money has increased from long-term sponsor Bell Bay Aluminium, and the Zonta Emerging Artist Award, offered by the Zonta clubs of Devonport, Launceston and Hobart Derwent, is now open to all ages. Entries close April 11, 2014. For the entry form and all details go to www. materialgirlartaward.com or email materialgirl@tasregionalarts.org.au