Archive : 2024

Anthea Vayonitis, an emerging contemporary artist, moves through dance and meditation practices to create gesturally embodied and sensory paintings. 'Connective Chromatic Energies and Sensations’ is an immersive exploration of an intuitive process that seeks spiritual contexts and metaphysical energies found in nature. Meditation, music, dance, and nature cultivate channels and pathways for her spontaneous and intuitive art practice. Abstraction and biomorphic formations assist in developing a visual lexicon. Vayonitis' works are an extension of her embodied energy and physical movements. In working on large scale paintings, her limbs are at full extension which can be traced through the energy in her markings. Spatial depth is explored through colour to create sensation and movement. Rhythm and refraction are expressed through her free-flowing bodily movements, creating a play of synergistic directions of gestural brushstrokes.

Material Ecologies explores material ecologies, dualities and tensions through expanded painting, sculpture and installation. A joint exhibition between two female identifying artists, Johanna van der Linden and Brigid Meredith, Material Ecologies explores their ongoing interest in the intersections between materiality, feminism and studio practice. Brigid’s encaustic and metal works explore materiality and the expanse of painting practices. Approaching her process in an intuitive manner, the material explorations facilitate a broader inquiry into notions of the post-human feminist sublime. Johanna presents recent works made as part of an ongoing research project into Catholic materiality and feminism. Alongside new etching work, forged steel chains, spikes and hooks further consider the material entanglements of heaviness, force and embodiment. Using materials such as steel, wax, etching and paint,Material Ecologies consider the ways in which materials can implicate the body through texture, colour, scale and relationality.

Inter - print - ations presents a collective showcase of print honours graduates pushing print media beyond its borders. Our work examines the position of printmaking within a contemporary arts context, investigating how traditional art practices can be expanded to realise complex conceptual ideas. 

Sarsha Demirci, Rubyanna Edwards, Jana Papantoniou, Kat Rae, Drey Willows and Lala Zarei all emerged from their training in printmaking curious to disrupt and extend their foundational print grounding which was rooted in order and tradition. This unlikely group of printmakers have been influenced not just by traditional printmakers and print technique but by mediums such as painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, installation and digital technologies.

'Planetary boundaries' are a framework to describe limits to the impact of human activities on the Earth. Beyond these limits, the environment may not be able to self-regulate or repair any longer and will become uninhabitable for humans and most non-human animals. Crossing a planetary boundary comes at great risk of abrupt environmental change. Much like the pivotal shift from the Holocene to the Anthropocene marks the undeniable influence of humanity on Earth’s natural systems, this series serves as a commentary on the evolving relationship between nature and human civilisation. Each project captures a snapshot of this transitional phase, where elements of nature and humanity coexist, often in conflict. There are many actions that can be taken to slow this transition, but most of us are just along for the ride."

Jemima’s work is about regaining control over the perception of the naked body and creating a safe space for people to not only feel comfortable in themselves but to also be celebrated.

Jemima’s work is inspired by women and non-binary folk’s experiences with how they have been treated based on their bodies. Their aim is to spark conversations about body acceptance and unnecessary sexualisation they have experienced. While providing people, but more specifically fat people, a chance to see their bodies represented in a fine art capacity. There is constant discrimination and sexualisation to deal with when you are fat hence Jemima is regaining control over the perception of the naked body.

One banana, two bananana, three banananana…

Fruit/berry/herb: an irregular plural holds up the banana as an absurd symbol of nuance through a series of text paintings that articulate an alternative grammatical numbering system for the plural form of banana.

Aaron Perkins is a Naarm-based artist with a conceptual text-based practice that playfully explores the role of language within knowledge formation through strategies of graphic, typographic and orthographic abstraction. He has a keen interest in fiction and holds a Doctorate of Philosophy from the Queensland College of Art for his research into the potential of fiction and autofiction within painting.

‘Last Winter’ is an exhibition of paintings from seasons past. Night scenes of moonlit oceans, garden blooms, and vistas become a visual ballad of organic symbolism. Rigby's artistic explorations are embedded in intuitive painting techniques. Layered brushstrokes emerge and reveal as well as conceal and obscure. What remains is the evidencing of gesture in dynamic evolution: a composition that can only happen from building upon what was set down before. Harmonious interplay of a skilfully handled palette of blue hues, ‘Last Winter’ invites viewers to delve into the poetic landscape and melancholic beauty of Rigby’s imagination.

Spilling Over is loud, colourful, and energetic, putting the handmade front and centre through bold brushstrokes. This exhibition features recent abstract expressionist paintings on canvas and ceramics, pushing the materiality of paint to the forefront using layering, fluidity and sculptural forms. Driven by the physicality of paint and colour, Odessa channels them into an active exploration of process. Working quickly, responding immediately, she navigates the interplay of painterly gestures and dynamic compositions to find resolution. Often, borders are created within the canvas, only to be disregarded and dismantled later by extending the paint and blurring lines.

What do we want? We want to bite and hold and care and hug and love and laugh and bark

Who are we? Just creatures. All just creatures

We want to know what makes us. What lives inside us. What internal mess creates a being?

Pack mentality is an exploration of complex interpersonal relationships through the dichotomy of canines and humans. Sophie Johnson presents an idealized version of human connections, contrasted against the simplicity of animal bonds- depicted by Tallulah Ainsworth. Simultaneously, we confront the dynamics of human interactions, emphasizing the struggle between aspiration and the complexities of daily life. How animals interact and form interpersonal connections is a mirror image of human beings but whittled down to a basic level, uncomplicated. Reflective of everything we want to be and everything we loathe to be. Primal instincts reside within us, awaiting the opportunity to break free from the confines of conscious thought, the dogs are unburdened by this. Their companionship is our catharsis.
 

"Nature Bridge" by Dan Withey delves into the intricate interactions between humans and intelligent avian species, challenging notions of human supremacy and emphasizing mutual communication across species boundaries. The exhibition serves as a poignant reflection on humanity's disconnect from nature, highlighting our tendency to construct laws and views based solely on human perspectives, often neglecting the profound impact on the world around us. Through introspective exploration, viewers are invited to reconsider their place within the natural world, acknowledging the damaging consequences of our actions on other beings and ecosystems. By abandoning notions of human supremacy, "Nature Bridge" fosters empathy and encourages viewers to become active participants in the interconnected web of relationships that define our existence.

Shingyo sketchbook 2000-2024: studies, bootlegs and remixes towards a complete s11 Heart Sutra

This exhibition is a survey of more than 20 years work on the Heart Sutra series, which was born of my direct experiences with police and state power at the s11 Protests at Crown Casino, Melbourne in September 2000.

From crowd photographs taken across the three days of protest, individual faces of people directly or indirectly involved were chosen at random to represent each of the characters (ideograms) of the Buddhist text known as Hannya Shingyo, the ‘Heart Sutra’.

In other words, instead of 274 characters, my version of the Heart Sutra has 274 faces.

Although I have previously created both photographic and calligraphic versions of the sutra, last year was the first time I had completed a hand-drawn/painted/written suite of all 274 portraits. The work, entitled 守り Protection, will be exhibited later this year. A commemorative book is also being published and will be available at that time.

This exhibition at Rubicon ARI is my third working with this ‘trans-substantiated’ text. It includes studies for 守り Protection, related works not included in previous shows, and earlier works from my archive showing the origins of my approach to image construction and meaning.

An immersive installation.

The poetic materialisation 

of 

instability,

precarity,

transience and dissonance.

Disparate materials

transformed

into an evolving language 

of 

eccentric 

and misbehaving forms. 

Renegotiating, 

the way we see.

An interplay 

between 

20th century Minimalism, 

quotidian life

and contemporary  

embodied practice.

Kate Stewart (b.1968) is an artist based in Melbourne/Naarm. Her multi-disciplinary practice follows a poetic methodology informed by 20th century modernism, phenomenology, and the vitality that can be generated from material play. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) from VCA and is currently enrolled in the MFA program at RMIT. Her work has featured in multiple group shows and is in private collections around Australia.

“Sad sad tears of a STAR”, which represents safe and inner healing to Piper’s childhood. The eclectic compositions that hold a child-like sensibility, are reminiscent of day dreams. Confusion, chaos and uncertainty masked with playful energy. The playful experimentation of naive style painting and drawing invites the audience to visit their inner child.

Piper is a Boorloo based mixed-medium installation artist who shares a great appreciation of wood work, sculpture, drawing and finger painting. Piper holds a Bachelor of Fine Art at the  University of Western Australia (2019), and a Masters in Art teaching (2023). Most of Piper’s work is heavily inspired by the absurdities of mundanity through painting. Her eclectic compositions have a child-like sensibility, reminiscent of a day dream. Her practise doesn't meander anywhere for too long, this evolutive quality demonstrates her commitment to challenging herself and the constraints of the mediums she works with. Piper’s work is underscored by phreneticenergy, Imbued with a nascent sense of humour, Piper's work doesn't take itself seriously. Perhaps that's the point.

The Leftovers is Avdeikov’s first project focused on abstraction, color and textures. The exhibition consists of a series of textile paintings made with hand embroidery and appliqué. The works are made out of recycled and leftover materials from his other projects. Jesse uses old clothes, textiles and sometimes other found objects such as pieces of old broken radio.

In his recent works he has been closely studying the relation of textile art and painting. Applying his knowledge and abilities as a painter to do embroidery and appliqué. That is why he refers to his textile works as “thread paintings”.

Jesse Avdeikov (b. 1986) earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of the Arts Helsinki in June 2020. The exhibition is supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike).

partytrap

heads high

bottoms up

down the hatches and in we go

OUT

flocks you sort of, not really, ish know

oh 

we spent longer getting ready

and tomorrow’s even longer 

today

partytrap

Harry Bayston (b.1994, UK) is a Naarm based artist who holds a Master of Fine Art with Distinction from RMIT (2022) and a Bachelor of Fine Art with Honours from UNSW AD (2017).

He has exhibited consistently since 2017 in Victoria and New South Wales with multiple solo and group exhibitions at both commercial and artist run galleries. His work is held in private and corporate collections across Australia and Europe, and has been commissioned for several murals, installations and publications.