Benjamin ARMSTRONG – ‘Conjurers’

Benjamin Armstrong’s works are dramatically imposing in the gallery of Tolarno Galleries.

Five wooden structures depicting various root vegetables standing at the height of over two meters glare down at you little ignorant and pompous human. The day of the genetically modified vegetable has arrived. Carrots and parsnips are now viewed as edifices reaching up from the soil for power and strength creating a vegetable kingdom.

The sculptures look to made of constructed plywood and then carved into a shape of a vegetable. The roots have been burnt giving a darker colour in comparison to the lighter wood. The roots resemble long tentacles or limbs to move with. These sculptures are accompanied by three large framed watercolour images.

The exhibition seemed to be telling an untold story of a mythical battle possibly using the vegetable as a metaphor. The watercolors depict scenes of wild oceans and light bursting through layers of organic matter. It seemed to be images reflecting a conflict or an environmental event.

On until the 28^th of May.

http://www.tolarnogalleries.com/

Toby POLA – ‘life sux then you die’

This first solo show by artist Toby Pola has taken a page of Australian skate culture as inspiration for these set of sculptures. Life size objects that are made out of balsa wood and then painted in gouache. The raw and rogue artist picked up were a young Ricky Swallow left off. This artist is in his own element, which is refreshing and original. Skate clothes such as t-shirts, hoddies and caps in dispersed between plaster casts (balsa wood made) that are reflective of the 1980’s.

Life Be In It was a carved piece made into a hanging t-shirt with the painted iconic inflated Norm sitting in a chair watching television. No more needs to be said. There was also Suffer cunt which was a plaster cast with graffiti written over it with various familiar texts. The feelings of freedom, stupidity and youth injected with humor.

Overall, this exhibition didn’t need explanation as the objects themselves were clear in its context. The pieces were reflective of a genre and had a subtle reminiscence.

Exhibition has ended but look out for future work. 

www.westspace.org.au

Claire LAMBE – "LazyBoy"

                                          Claire Lambe, LazyBoy 2012. Photos: Phebe Schmidt
                                                        Courtesy Sarah Scout, Melbourne

This exhibition explores the manifestations of fornication. I felt l was sifting through the remains of scattered innuendo and constructed unfinished works that leaves you with an open interpretation of things to come (no pun intended).

Candy Barr is a set of glass mirrored squares constructed in a manner of steps ripe for a saucy disco move. The mirror ball has been replaced with a bolder and brighter substitute. The reflection of different angles and warped fantasies reflect back at you.

How can such simple constructions be construed into a sexual connotation?

Ladies’ Evening is a pair of gold lycra jeans which are half stuffed. The work lies on the floor with the empty legs as discarded fabric. The work lies exhausted and in need of some rest. A propped plastic sheet leans on an opposing wall held by brackets. The plastic sheet has a whole cut through in the shape of a circle where any number of objects could be inserted.

The artist statement written by Nat Thomas was a refreshing read. The statement reflected on writing and modes of artist publicity, our ideas of galleries while incorporating the aspects of the exhibition.  A brazen statement complimenting an equally fabulously indecent, suggestive and uncouth exhibition. Franco Cozzo could learn a lot from Lambe’s work.

Until 26APR

http://www.sarahscoutpresents.com/

http://www.clairelambe.com/

Andrew MCQUALTER – “A Partial Index”

"A Partial Index"
Image by Craig Burgess

Courtesy of Daine Singer Gallery

"A Partial Index" Detail
Image by Craig Burgess

Courtesy of Daine Singer Gallery

Space and design are some of the themes that artist MCQUALTER is exploring in this exhibition at Daine Singer.

Directly painted on the walls are figures in various active positions. Some are bent over with masking tape contemplating an area; other figures are squatting, standing and surveying the space. What draws these figures together is the masking tape that is painted between the figures. To call it a mural is not accurate although it covers the walls from ceiling to floor. The piece is cleverly done utilising the actual space of the gallery, while questioning the meaning and concept of space.

It’s not entirely clear what these figures are designing or even the project or event that they are musing.

I believe the act of contemplation is the subject the artist is exploring and how this relates to an initial idea of space and how this could transform and end with an unanticipated result. Which is the beauty of thought and the way we have to readjust our preconceived project or purpose to suit an environment.

I also liked the fact that the figures that are painted are transparent and could be washed over easily. You got the feeling that like the project or designed space; this piece could be removed easily and in a state of transit, reflecting again the theme of space.

27JAN – 3MAR

http://www.dainesinger.com/ 

Angela DE LA CRUZ – “Transfer”

ANGELA DE LA CRUZ

Compressed (Orange), 2011

Oil on aluminium

130 x 80 x 60 cm

Courtesy of the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery

Crumpled, depleted, mangled and deflated metal never looked so alive!

The new exhibition by Spanish born artist DE LA CRUZ is a triumph of vivid orange and ripe red paint. As l enter the gallery my eyes are instantly drawn to the two collapsed rectangle metal forms on the wall. The first titled Compressed (Orange) and the other titled Compressed (Red). The shape reminds me of a once used industrial air conditioning shaft. One hangs at it’s own accord painted a bright orange and the other painted a red. The tension of the metal where it has been bent and rippled is painted and seems to have a movement frozen in time. The colours make you want to caress an imagined warm surface, although logically it is cold. It looks as though these discarded forms once transferred either air or liquid from one end to another. These pieces are now out of order and are dissected as a form of appreciation.

I enjoyed the pieces “Extension 3(Red/Orange)” that l initially missed at the entrance. I small canvas freshly painted in red and orange was juxtaposed to a faded canvas that could have been a flag or a once triumphant symbol. It could have been the new complemented by the old. I mean this by comparing an entity formed by people, which is successful. The new generation continue to make it a success by the transfer of knowledge. I am thinking laterally in my own interpretations of these works.

The other piece l enjoyed named “Deflated 21 (Red)” was the canvas that had been stretched, primed and painted. It looked like it had been taken off its stretcher and hung lifeless on the wall by a nail. It hung like a dishevelled coat on a stand. It made me think that without the strength of the frame, the painted canvas looked limp and unresponsive. To put it in perspective, it was a painted canvas and not a living thing. I have been deceived and that l believe, is the exploration of the exhibition.

Each piece needed to be shown together as this strengthened the theme. In my opinion, the artist was dissecting objects in relation to its usefulness. The colours used seemed to emphasise the artistic composition. The reoccurring theme of transfer could be seen though out the show. For me as a viewer, it made me re evaluate my notions of an objects use.

4FEB – 17MAR

www.annaschwartzgallery.com 

Silvana MANGANO and Gabriella MANGANO – “Shapes for Open Spaces”

The latest work of this duo comprises of four video works shown on four large screens that hang in succession.

The first screen titled “Monument for Air” has what looks to be the sky with rose tinted clouds. A black material is sporadically thrown into the air punctuating the serene sky above. A piece of haunting music plays on cycle, which is broken by the sound of material being lifted by the air.

The second video work titled “Monument for Monument” begins with the camera scanning the top of a desolate area, which looks to be on a sea cliff. There appears to be a partly demolished historical landmark made of bricks. The camera then scans down towards the long unkempt grass as it blows in the wind. A body in a black envelope lifts up and down as though it too is being directed by the wind. I get a feeling of emptiness, isolation and coldness.

My interpretation of these pieces is an artistic ode to the elements. The hypnotic soundtrack contributes to the overwhelming feeling of meditation and contemplation which links all four works together. Each video work seems to represent a component of nature. I enjoy the contradiction that the work signifies both the unpredictable behaviour and beauty of the elements.  I also got the feeling of the immense space contrasted by the black human forms. Hence the title of the exhibition.

Until the 17^th of Dec.

http://www.annaschwartzgallery.com/

Ranjani SHETTAR – "Dewdrops and Sunshine"

The National Gallery of Victoria has opened a new exhibition space, which will host contemporary artists. Ranjani Shettar is the first artist to be exhibited. What a fantastic artist to showcase. I was truly in wonder and excitement to see this artist’s pieces. I would have to say it was one of the best exhibitions l have seen this year.

The artist Shettar has constructed seven installations in all. Each piece varies in both material and form. There where two pieces that l was in awe of and that is not to say the other pieces were of lesser content or brilliance.

The first titled “Heliotropes” were long toffee coloured tentacles protruding from the wall. They were comparable to life size exaggerated hollow spaghetti growing organically out of the wall. The piece made me think of a magnified skin with hair similar to that seen in illustrated body encyclopaedias. There was also a feeling these limbs were being blown by a natural element such as wind as they all lay in one direction. This piece was made out of opaque latex.

 “Touch me not” is the second sculpture that begins on one wall and took over a corner. It was like a beautiful fungus or coral that spread to give an illusion of movement. It looked like it was constructed by small rounded pins made of a ceramic head that where the size of a cherry. There would have been hundreds of the pins in all and they are grouped together by forming various directions. It resembled sweat beads on skin.

These pieces are also complemented by the shadows made from the installations. It emphasizes the organic form. The materials the artist uses is also significant in the works. The descriptions of the work are my own interpretations and that is the beauty of these installations, as they could represent various amplified objects.

This exhibition by artist Ranjani Shettar is a must see.

On until 26th of Feb, 2012.

http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/exhibitions/ranjani-shettar