White Rabbit Gallery

Follow the White Rabbit.

If your in Sydney, doing your gallery hop, make sure this is on your itinerary.

This gallery based in Chippendale is a must see if you want to view contemporary Chinese art. It has been a while since l have been into a gallery that has various artists that l could appreciate and be truely inspired on each floor. The artist represented here push the boundries as far as use of materials and subjects. The work ranges from photography, installation, animation to painting. The curating was brilliant and the surprises ongoing. With four floors of work in a converted old factory, there will be something for everyone.
 
http://www.whiterabbitcollection.org/

Jenny Zhe CHANG - "Detente - Reflection"

This artist l found in the June copy of the art almanac. Her work looked interesting and after visiting Trocadero Art Space in the second gallery it really left an impression on me.

The wall is partly painted in lime green in an L shape at eye level. There are around eight pieces of work of table tennis bats at varying degrees of angles. One piece sits on a plinth. They are made out of wood and have been altered. The bold colours are painted on the bats almost as shadows are cast coupled with the gallery lighting. Each piece uniquely painted sits with the table tennis ball sitting in limbo. Some have caused holes and continued to mark each bat. They could have been played between pieces.

The artist Chang is fortunately sitting the gallery on the day l visit. She comes from a small village in China and explains in her past that paper cutting and table tennis where the only activities her family could afford to enjoy. She has integrated the two. Her initial art practise was paper cutting which was encouraged by teachers to transform into wood cutting.

The outcome is contemporary and smart sculptures that reflect a past and future while maintaining a sort of yin yang balance. Well executed.

A must see until 2July.


www.jennyzhechang.com
www.trocaderoartspace.com.au

Lou HUBBARD and Claire LAMBE – “Yakety Sax”

Conceptual Art, so conceptual that l don’t understand it.

Yes, there is a place for it in the visual arts. I’m not going to be the conveyer of what can and cannot be artwork. It took me three laps of the room to understand the concept and then an hour of debriefing to write about my lack of appreciation.

Upon entry l am greeted with a large lump of unfired clay, semi circle of Perspex standing upright in the clay and a set of pink boobs with nipples eyeing me off. I look to my left and there stands two pieces of rectangular Perspex wrapped in plastic leaning against the wall. Between the pieces of Perspex sits a flat basketball which looks to be a cushion cover.  Next to the lump of clay is another installation. It is a cut out of brown paper where circles have been drawn close to its edge. A lamp is lying over it as if it was used to draw the lines. An unused disposal able coffee cup lies on its side and the top of a seat rests there.

There where smaller pieces in the office next door which where subtle and humorous. I didn’t quite grapple with the larger pieces.

These sculptures to me are manmade materials displaying sexual undertones. The materials used are taken out of their usual function and reconceptualized.  Are they the result of conversations between the artists? Is there a method of their exchange of ideas? What comes to mind is the collaboration with artist Brion Gysin and writer William S Burroughs who created the surrealist method of writing called Cut – up.  This involved writing text then cutting it up to recreate a different novel. Is the exchange more important than the result? Is making of the art a form of breaking down the subject rather than the art itself? I’m not looking for aesthetically pleasing work without meaning or a piece of furniture without stability. I can go to IKEA for that.

These two artists are highly accomplished and successful in their field. I want to understand the work and the collaboration involved. Is conceptual art extending beyond it’s subtleties and only for it’s exclusive audience, that being the artists involved? I know art is not made for audiences. Is conceptional art metamorphosis into the Emperors new clothes?

http://www.sarahscoutpresents.com/

http://www.clairelambe.com/

http://www.deathbekind.com/

Hannah GADSBY – Artscape - The NGV Story/ Part 1 and 2

The National Gallery of Victoria recently celebrated its 150 years of operation. As l result, this documentary was made and narrated or rather hosted by the Melbourne comedian Hannah Gadsby and written by Louise Turley. It was fascinating and Hannah’s injection of humour and sarcasm made it an even more interesting watch. It gave a great historical account and for me, a part explanation as to the lack of public Australian art appreciation. A must for high school students.

http://www.abc.net.au/arts/tv_radio/artscape/

http://www.hannahgadsby.com.au/

Chantal WYNTER - 57 Irving Street

My project at 57 Irving Street was to install a sign along with an image in each of the four windows. I call the signs a set of rules. As a member of society, we adhere to a set of rules in public places. These set of rules are specific to their location and are also culturally encoded. A sign is therefore erected to control behavior and disruption, and to purportedly maintain public order and safety. 

The set of rules l installed are comical and irrelevant in the location. As the public pass the shop front they will view these rules. Once read, the viewer will need to question the directions of the sign itself and decide upon the possible consequences of not abiding to it.

As a site-specific work, l am in interested in exploring the public rules that we adhere to in everyday public places. As the shops are close to the train station, this is an ideal location.

If your in the area, check it out.