Well the opening for the Quintessential Exhibition was on Friday night and the Dogwood Xing foyer and gallery was packed! You could not move which was fantastic to see. Now in the end there were 17 artists' work accepted into the exhibition - and there were a few of us fortunate to have all of our pieces selected.
Ms Sandy Pottinger (Artist, Arts Writer, Art Critic for the Toowoomba Chronicle and former lecturer in Visual Arts at the University of Southern Queensland selected the works and opened the gallery . She spoke about the exhibition and in particular about the importance of the artist statements that accompanied each piece and were placed next to them in the gallery.
Her comments were as follows:-
The brief for this exhibition was spelled out very clearly. "Quintessential" was to provide an opportunity for artists to share an insight or reflection about themselves. The artist was invited to create an artwork, that suggests, even documents, a personal journey that explores and reflects, and ultimately connects the artist with what it is that "makes them tick" and effectively keeps them grounded in life. This is powerful, personal stuff that can impact on others: friends, family, and the community Private thoughts can become public statements. Transforming personal experience into art can be alarming as well as cathartic, but when shared, it can empower others.i
In a way "Quintessential" is about creating a complex self portrait, but not in the usual, obvious sense of actually painting a self portrait, but rather, how an individual depiction of a landscape, an apple, a tree, in fact, any subject, can be a reflection of the artist through interpretation, technique, choice of materials, and indeed through the use of all the elements and principles of composition.
The goals for this exhibition included:
1. To connect artists on a personal level with their art practice
2. To enhance the understanding of the impact their values and morals can have upon others
3. To explore the essence of what it is that makes each individual who they are, and why this is vitally important
4. To encourage artists to provide a more in-depth expression of their work through an artist statement defining each artwork.
This last point about writing an artist statement is important because, contrary to the rather pretentious cop-out used by some aspiring artist's that "their work speaks for them", art rarely speaks for itself or the artist, and often both need all the help they can get! Art is primarily about communication but sometimes this can get lost in the translation. An artist statement eases the communication, it explains, it may tantalize, but it also helps the artist to share: to share tehir vision, their experience, and their passion, and even their influences. It helps to make creativity accessible to those who have an interest but little knowledge or personal experience of the visual arts.
Selecting work to be included in this exhibition was a challenge made more so by the fact that too many of the artists seemed not to have read what was required or had interpreted it in a way that they hoped would fit some existing artwork. Many seemed to miss the point, the artist statements in many cases merely described the work with little attempt to relate it to a personal work ethic that reflected their individual response, or introduced core values, or charted conceptual development. Those who did seriously address the issues raised have rewarded the viewer with subtle insights into personal motiviation as well as a passionate exploration of imagery that demands to be expressed.
Now to have a look at my artists statements at this stage you will have to go to the exhibition and have a look as they are posted next to my pieces!!! But for those who can't make it I may post them on here at a later date!!!
So there you have it - now here are some pics - portions and the whole.
Please Note: These images are subject to copyright and are not to be reproduced and may not be reprinted/images used without written consent of the artist.
AND I have sold 2 pieces - "Country Women's Beauty" & "Country Values"
"Country Values - thread painting and digital imaging
"Hands Speak Volumes" Thread Sketch
"Country Values, "Hands Speak Volumes" & "Country Women's Beauty"
The display in the gallery - my section!
A portion of "Country Women's Beauty" Including threadwork and wet felting
A couple of portions of the thread painting in "Country Values" Blending, building etc.
But in Art it is actually more about the piece and how it works with the theme rather than what techniques are used etc and how particular you are about them - a little bit of a learning curve for a perfectionist "technique" person.!!!
So now to get onto class samples and thinking about next years exhibition.!!!
