“Reflections on memory” by Kerry Nichols

This exhibition presents strong emotional works that have an inherent dark quality about them whilst at the same time, being quite adventurous with deep colours, free, lush brush strokes. They bring out questions in the viewers’ minds as the artist has poured her deepest memories into the works. A commanding performance from artist, Kerry Nichols on her previous life in Mexico.

The artist has said of her works: “Our joyous times are so often overshadowed by tragedy. Some learn to cope – others don’t, others learn to live with happiness and tragedy side by side.” 

Having lived in Mexico for almost half my life, I am constantly drawn to its colour, its whimsicalness, its gaiety and tragedy.  I believe this is my subconscious inspiration.

As I paint in the tranquillity of Molong, my brush takes me on a journey through my past;  a time of kidnapping and intimidation, a time of colour and laughter, a time of extreme joy and unbearable sadness. 

Half the time I don’t know what I’m going to paint…my brush and paints dictate and I enjoy the journey.”

The THIRD Dimension on show till 20 December!

In Gallery 2 and the Sculpture Gardens, we have the works of well known regional sculptors and 3D craftsmen. Some wonderful pieces available!

"Morning" by Marjo Carter

Two substantial ceramics by Simon Reece

Fine Day for Opening of Sculpture Show!

Despite the prediction of a cold day, the opening of Jayes Annual Sculpture Show, the THIRD Dimension was pleasant and fine. Art lovers were introduced to Moody's Wines with Tony Moody sharing his fine wines on the day, Alan Sisley, Regional Gallery Director from Orange capably opened the show likening the sculptures to 'frozen music', an analogy that gave us all something to think about while looking at the 3D works on show.

Art lovers and collectors were delighted with performances from budding young musicians from Molong Public School. The gallery is becoming quite the cultural heart of the area with many different art forms being encouraged throughout the year.

With an ongoing calendar of monthly solo shows, music events and the annual scultpure show, you can keep abreast of the gallery's latest offerings by subscribing to our monthly newsletter. The gallery is open Wednesday through to Sunday each week, from 10 - 4. We look forward to seeing you in Molong! It's always warmer here in the west.

The Feminine Aspect in Art for September (Spring!)

Quite often we come across art that seduces the viewers. This will be the experience when the next exhibition goes on display at Jayes Gallery in Molong in Spring.

We are pleased to be able to bring to you, two beautiful exhibitions by two very feminine and complementary artists. The Yin (feminine force) of life is expressed very clearly in the works of both of these regional and rurally based artists as they express the landscapes they live in. Both respond to the forces of creation and seek to express the numinous in their works. Working in acrylics and oils lusciously applied to canvas, the sensuality of life itself can be found by scrutinizing the generous brush strokes of these two women.

“Elemental Sky” by Aida Pottinger (click) 

Aida’s work emerges out of the landscape in a subconscious recognition of how the earth gives birth, nurtures, sustains and eventually reclaims the life on it. 

She says of her work “I work in a variety of mediums including oils acrylics and ink and while working with a particular location in mind I am not bound by an exact recreation – I prefer to let intuition and the medium dictate what happens on the surface, exploring images which arrest the eye and are arrived at spontaneously. 

Working from life and landscape as a jumping off point. I like to push the source material to capture an atmosphere or mood - visually echoing memories and emotions. This work is inspired by the elements of weather seen at dawn.”

“Birdsong” by Lucy Watts (click)

The ever-changing landscape of Lucy’s immediate environment and the movement of life itself forms inspiration for her artworks. These pieces have are containments of the motion of life’s forces and each can be used as a mantra, a meditation of energy and creation.

"Everywhere I turn there are endless opportunities to create a moment of stillness from the energy and beauty of life."

The exhibition opens Sunday 11 September at 2 pm at Jayes Gallery in Molong, just a short 20 minute drive west of Orange in Central NSW. We invite you to join us on the day and meet with the artists.

Trekking to Molong for Art & Sculpture!

A happy and enthusiastic crowd made the way to Molong on the weekend to attend the opening of "Top End Trekking" and "In the Shadows of Canobolas" - two excellent artists with two different views of the Australian landscape. Denis's works are evocative of Mt Canobolas region with it's lush fields and verdant rolling hills while Joy is inspired by the outback colours of red and blue and wide open deserts.

The afternoon is always a pleasant way to spend a day, the artists share their ideas and talents with friends and art lovers, and Molong is just a short distance from Orange and other regional towns and villages. This is a formula for success!

Jayes Gallery has an annual calendar of monthly solo shows and a major sculpture exhibition each Spring. Keep coming back to this website for details.

Hot/Cool, Desert/Mountains, Mixed Media/Oils, Joy/Denis

The next exhibition at Jayes features two artists from Orange - Denis Bradley & Joy Engelman! These two landscape inspired artists couldn't be more different!

Denis focuses on the 'cool' in nature with his broad masculine strokes in oil on board. His palette consists of the deep greens and blues found in the abundant bush land of the Canobolas area. Brought up on a farm in the Orange region, Denis's artistic soul is imbued with the verdant greens of Spring, the golds of Summer wheat fields and the lush growth of gum forests.

Joy Engelman however, is inspired these days by a different hue . Her mixed media works on paper and canvas are created from multiple layers of reds, golds and oranges. She usually takes an aerial view of the landscapes that she loves but often sits down to take a more formal approach as well. 

This next exhibition has been the result of a recent journey north to Broome and out to the Bungle Bungles in Western Australia. She laughingly calls it a 'bivouac with a view' as she recounts her daily struggles with putting her shoes on legs that 'are 150 cms too long for my arms' and her nightly grapples with a swag that was seemingly attempting to strangle her!

These are bright and beautiful works though that capture the colours of the desert and WA landscape as she finds a new palette of colours to describe that land.

Jayes invites you to join at the opening on Sunday 14 August at 2 pm to meet the artists and view their new works.

Or just take some time out and come to the gallery 10 am - 4 pm daily Wed - Sunday each week.

Exhibition closes 4 September.