Art shows off a sense of whimsy
LOCAL and regional exhibitions reference legends and the anthem to create visual essays that communicate on an emotional plane that is underpinned by quirky expression, whimsy, and a stalwart patriotism.
The Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery is featuring The Lady and the Unicorn, a fascinating exhibition that is on tour from the Bundanon Trust Collection.
The series of intaglio prints developed from an inspiring collaboration between the artist Arthur Boyd and the poet, Peter Porter both of whom were intrigued by the medieval French tapestries, The Lady and the Unicorn.
The actual suite of tapestries, which are allegories to the five senses and earthly pleasure, is currently on exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Boyd’s etchings are erotically sensual with contained movement and gestural detail.
They depict the unicorn enamoured of a fair maiden who returns his love, but tiring of the secrecy of their relationship, betrays him to the Emperor’s hunters.
Porter’s poem of emotionally charged word pictures meshes seamlessly with Boyd’s imagery.
Included in the exhibition is Boyd’s painting, Merric Boyd jug
and unicorn as well as a display case of texts including an illustrated book of the poem, copies of which may be purchased at the Gallery.
The Rosalie Gallery in Goombungee is showing The Mermaid and Me, a selection of new work by Helen Pearson.
The narrative paintings reflect Pearson’s training as an illustrator.
With each exhibition her work becomes more resolved; more confident.
This current series with its mermaid theme has popular appeal.
Mermaids have featured in legends and folklore from ancient Assyrian tracts to Disney’s sugary interpretation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic fairy tale.
Their haunting songs tried to lure sailors to their deaths, yet they are prophetic entities and symbols of fertility and vanity.
Pearson has alluded to the various persona’s while imbuing her mermaids with their own whimsical personalities. Pattern and attention to detail add to the visual rewards of this exhibition.
The Warwick Art Gallery is hosting “Advance Australia Fair” an interpretive exhibition based on the national anthem by members of the Allora Photography Club.
The exhibition design incorporates the text of the anthem with thoughtfully considered placement of the photographs.
The viewer is invited on a journey of wonder as images of Uluru, broad night skies, dramatic sunsets, agriculture, beaches, a cattle train, flowers and birds unfold.
The photographs attest to the diverse extremes of this country while tellingly illustrating the sentiments inherent in the anthem.
The Orange Wall Gallery at the Warwick Gallery is presenting “Before the Looking Glass,” an exhibition of mirrors and mosaics by Christopher Hulme.
The pieces play with reflection, texture, image reversal, and pattern to become decorative takes on appearance and reality.