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3dx5 brings together recent three dimensional works by five significant Australian artists: Lionel Bawden, John Nicholson, Kirsteen Pieterse, Gemma Smith and Karl Wiebke. Each of the five artists has been invited to present three works. Lionel Bawden, who won the Wynne Prize in 2009, will present three pencil on paper sculptures arising from his highly successful 2008 Works on Paper series. Drawing on a wide range of references from micro-biology to early science fiction novels, Bawden warps our sense of scale and place by evoking both colossal landscapes and “some tiny squirming abject matter” as he puts it. John Nicholson’s recent works reflect a fascination with the properties of digital light. He has lately turned his attention to this urban light, because it is such an extraordinary and recent phenomenon in our history. “I enjoy the idea of pseudo-science and using that in artistic practice” says John Nicholson. “I like representing scientific information in a visual form.” “The impetus for much of my work came from an image of a ruined pier which collapsed under heavy seas” says Kirsteen Pieterse. The power of her sculpture comes through the implied presence of natural forces such as dramatic cataclysms or gradual erosion and how human projects are decisively undone by them. “I’m interested in making works that bridge the gaps between painting and sculpture” says Gemma Smith. 3dx5 includes three of Smith’s works that highlight her desire to make geometric sculptures that we are compelled to move around or manipulate. Smith is the 2009 winner of the Clayton Utz Travelling Arts Scholarship. Karl Wiebke sees his practice as embedded in the context of the history of painting. “My work explores what it means to paint” he says, highlighting the pivotal idea that the physical action of his painting process is itself the meaning. He is determined to leave all narrative behind, as his Pirates 2007 series demonstrates. Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) is committed to creating exhibitions that present the best in Australian contemporary art to regional audiences. The exhibition will be opened by Mary Darwell, Executive Director ArtsNSW at 6pm Friday 2 October. Curated by Brad Hammond, Education and Public Programs Officer, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Lionel Bawden is represented by GRANTPIRRIE, Sydney IMAGE: |
