Journey / Through our eyes

FOR PHOTOS OF THE SHOW, CLICK HERE!

It’s all atmosphere at Molong in September!

Grey skies and atmospheric landscapes surrounded by bronze sculptures set the scene this coming September in an exhibition “Journey / Through my hands”. This show consists of paintings and sculptures by artists Aida Pottinger and Brett “Mon” Garling.

Aida’s moody and mysterious explorations of dark and light through landscape forms are part of her very personal journey. They reflect a past ridden with war and migration, as her mother fled from Latvia to England where Aida was born. Her life brought her to Australia and in a life filled with the extremes of dark and light, warmth and coldness, clarity and obfuscation, Aida explores her own personal landscape through these highly internalised works. They are works that invoked the descriptive response from Peter Haynes, Director of ACT Museums and Galleries recently “a highly atmospheric, dream-like presentation with an air of mystery and nostalgia that captures the veils of memory.”

Alongside these works sit the strong bronze sculptures of Brett “Mon” Garling who works from his own foundry at Wongarbon. These are traditional works from a conservative artist who takes pride in achieving excellence both in sculpture and painting as demonstrated in this regional exhibition. His rural scenes show familiar places to a regional onlooker and demonstrate what might be seen by a city dweller visiting the country.

Both artists have strong references in their work to the great British artists of the past as both have been similarly inspired by English past masters, bringing their influences strongly into this show. It is a pleasing and inspiring exhibition and one not to be missed.

The exhibition opens on Saturday September 5 at Jayes Gallery in Molong and closes on October 4.

Opening a grand success!

The opening night for Di Smith and Edwina Riddell's latest artworks was a resounding success with many attending and several works now sold.

Friends and artlovers combined to show their support for these two emerging artists at Jayes.

 

Di's works glow from the walls with their rich colours and fresh brushstrokes. The works draw you in as you contemplate Di's free approach and heightened sense of colour that brings new light to daily objects.

Edwina's works are gentle and subtle descriptions of the dancer Nijinsky. Her style is as light as a feather in the same vein as the dancer she illustrates so capably. Her pencil lines bring movement to the works. These are beautiful images.

"Life / Still Life" - Opens 31 July!

Jayes Gallery is pleased to introduce two emerging artists in their first exhibition together. In an exhibition well worth viewing “Life / Still Life” with Orange artist, Di Smith and her friend, illustrator, Edwina Riddell we see two artists who both take a fresh look at life and those everyday items we all take for granted. Both have a strong sense of colour and a love for their particular mediums that shows in these expressive works.

Smith paints with loose, vibrant colours her new works of interiors and rustic farm life. Whilst Di is still developing her own ‘language’, she has executed these works deftly with expressive brushstrokes and strong colours straight from the palette.

Di says of her work “My approach to creating a painting is to capture the way a scene or setting affects me.

I like to represent this with robust and colourful strokes in a form of realism. In this way I show the energy and beauty held within a scene as well as the unique completeness that is often overlooked in that scene. My travels have shown me that people have always sought comfort and order, so my subjects - whether life or still life – are simple things we choose to spend our lives with or to see.”

"Wash stand" by Di Smith

Riddell’s works are painstakingly put together in watercolours and pencils. These works explore the dancer Nijinsky and the energy contained within his dance set against everyday objects.

The artist states “I have been drawing forever and illustrating for many years but felt I needed more room for self-expression.

I enjoy the spontaneity of watercolour, the richness of oil paints and the subtle depths of blended colour that can be achieved with coloured pencils which is what I have used here.

In these works I'm exploring the concepts of life and still life. The dancer Nijinsky fascinates me.  No film of his dancing exist, only still images attempt to capture his vitality, a legendary life frozen in time   He is juxtaposed against the vibrant presence of still life subjects.”

We invite you to join us at the opening at 6.30 pm on Friday July 31 and meet the artists in person for what will be a delightful show. The exhibition closes on August 30.

Gallery takes out an award!

Jayes Gallery won a prestigious award at the Cabonne Country Daroo Business Awards last Friday night! Libby Oldham, Gallery Director, was speechless at winning the award after entering for the last 10 years! So it was appropriate that she walked to podium and then jsut couldn't find the words that she needed to describe her delight.

Husband, Hugh Oldham has been etching the glass plate awards for the last 10 years and has plenty of rejects on the studio floor, but now both of them are pleased to be able to display one in their own premises.

Well done! Jayes Gallery is a definite bright spot in rural NSW and something we, the staff, are very proud of!

Hope to see you in the gallery soon and why not pop in for coffee and a light lunch in the cafe/restaurant with Grant Chef!

Posted by Joy (curator)

Substratum opens to a throng of art lovers!

Well! After a hectic week, Substratum and Inferno opened to around 50 to 60 art lovers on Saturday night! Alan Sisley, Director of the Orange Regional Gallery gave a warm speech praising Michal Carroll's works inspired by recent journeys to the volcanic regions of Chile.

Everyone was warm in the gallery even though it was a chilly evening in Molong. But it was an enthusiastic and eager crowd that took in the evening's celebrations. Inferno glassware by internationally renowned artist, Keith Rowe glowed throughout the night providing a very suitable foil for Michael's grey works of the Maoi and earthy rocky landscapes.

Inferno glassworks glowing in the afternoon sun! It would be wonderful to have these on a glass shelf in a winter's window. They would brighten and warm any room.....fabulous!