The back gallery has three large canvases printed with equilateral diamonds in 2-3 different colours dispersed with foil to give a shiny texture. The centrepiece being a large spray-can with a pattern on the label that complements and is the reverse of the background. The spray-can is printed in a bronze colour that defines it from the background.
In the centre of the room are three totem poles of bronze spray-cans. They where etched in a similar fashion to the screen-printed image on the paintings. They spoke for themselves standing like ancient forms with engraved script to be rediscovered in years to come.
“Black Magic” was a neon sign in the corner. It lured me and could be pictured on a lonely stretch of road in inland NSW on a dark night. Driving past paddocks and silent bush. This sign appears in neon colours as a symbol of power and presence in a colonised exterior.
The bio tells me that the diamond pattern used in on the canvases is a traditional use of the Kamilaroi indigenous heritage that Rennie is from. I am also informed that the name of the exhibition “Neo Geo” or Neo-Geometric Conceptualism relates to a New York art movement in the 1980’s. l discovered that it was a movement that was a mix of conceptional, graffiti and pop art. These forms can be seen in these paintings.
My first impression of the canvases for me where almost like pop art signs or advertising. The diamond pattern with the foil drawing me towards the spray-can like a psychedelic vortex. To me, the spray –can represented his tool of language in contemporary Australia. He was also drawing on his heritage by the traditional use of scribing and marking represented in contemporary form by use of screen print. All three pieces where titled “Message Stick” and differentiated by a colour. I missed the fourth piece, which was hanging in the front of the gallery.
On until 5NOV.
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