Busy painting...

Ghosts of the past

Rhys Lee has been a painter worth watching. His earlier works impressed me with their delicate, soothing and shimmering moods. Rhys got a mention back here.

His current show at the Tim Olsen Gallery suggests a darker, more sinister journey which points brazenly to the works of Joy Hester (b1920 – d1960).

Hester painted soul searching images imbued with a sense of struggle and emotional exploration.

Lee’s latest paintings seem to have a similar ambition. They achieve to a certain degree, but ultimately, they come from a more masculine straight forward ghost story intrigue (boys like that kinda stuff) and rather than stand on their own they only remind the viewer of earlier, more significant and iconic painters.

‘Rhys Lee, New Paintings 2008’ 9th September to 28th September, Tim Olsen Gallery

Above: ‘Untitled’ (Head NYC - LES 6) by Rhys Lee, 2008, ink on paper, 76 x 56cm
Middle: ‘Mother and baby’ (Woman with child) by Joy Hester, 1955, ink on paper, 36.4 x 33.6cm
Below: ‘Untitled (Head NYC - LES 5) by Rhys Lee, 2008, ink on paper, 76 x 56cm

Wheels, globes and stuff

A few weeks ago, Ray Hughes took me back stage for a sneak peek at Lucy Culliton’s latest paintings. Paintings of wheels, light globes, spark plugs and other ‘stuff’. There’s also some teddy bears and dolls, which Ray described as ‘unfinished business’ (from her previous show). I went back for another look today, to say goodbye to them. Great paintings. Well done Lucy!

Above - ‘Auto Light Globes’ by Lucy Culliton, 80 x 80 cm, oil on board 
Below - ‘Wheels IV’ by Lucy Culliton, 80 x 80 cm, oil on board

Winter

Today it's grey and raining in Sydney...

Kathryn Ryan is exhibiting new paintings which match the season. She's showing at the Tim Olsen Gallery in Paddington. I haven't seen this show yet, but if I find my umbrella I'll make my way there.

Above - 'Winter Light' by Kathryn Ryan, 2008, 137 x 183cm, oil on canvas

Blue

At the Liverpool Street Gallery, Brett McMahon is showing some splashy drippy pieces in a show called ‘Awabakal’ - until the 19th June.

Charmer

Lauren Potts graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Newcastle in 2006. She has an exhibition at the Harrison Galleries in Paddington, from 22nd March to 10th April.

Book it in...

Above - 'Charmer' by Lauren Potts, oil on canvas, 70 x 45cm

Below - 'I remember the shadows and dots' by Lauren Potts, oil on canvas, 150 x 130cm

festival time

The Adelaide Festival 'turns on' next week.

A quick scan of the festival website reveals plenty of art action.

There's even an 'artists week' (for those who might find a whole month too much!) which promises 'a program brimming with opportunities for debate, discussion and participation.' Sounds nice.

Elsewhere you can see Jeremy Piert's paintings at the Peter Walker Fine Art gallery.

I haven't seen these paintings in person but the show looks interesting for a few reasons.

Piert's a young painter who seems to have a design sense typical of his generation.

We're seeing more of this flavour not only in Australia, but in Europe and the United States as well.

Piert paints with an urban graphic design savvy, which he sprays on with street smart attitude familiar in the works by other young painters like Joshua Petker from the US and Nicholas Archer from the UK.

There are others worth seeking out, but I'm 'not with it' and Charlie won't tell me about them...

Above - 'Venus' by Jeremy Piert, 150 x 120cms, oil on canvas

Below - 'Charm' by Jeremy Piert, 150 x 120cms, oil on canvas