Venice art binge

I came. I saw. I drank it ALL in.

Venice every two years becomes an art lovers paradise - and if you're lucky enough to experience the pleasures of Venice while completely draped with art from across the world then you are a truly lucky person indeed.

This year I was able to spend five days walking, thinking, exploring and playing in Venice...

and have to say it was truly amazing.

The 56th Venice Biennale curated by Okwui Enwezo entitled All the Worlds Futures was a smorgasbord of colours, ideologies, textures and technologies - and it took me two days to fully devour it all. Some of my favourite National pavilions in The Giardini were the Australian, the Japanese, the French, the English and the Dutch. And Ive got a few photos of those pavilions to share. 

But what I truly loved was all the off site shows that were scattered around the city like gold dust. You needed a map and alot of energy and patience to see them all - and believe me - I only managed to find a handful of them. But the hunt was worth the effort. Each time Id find an exhibition down a dark alleyway I always felt like I had achieved a tiny victory... and that the complicated network of Venetian streets hadnt beaten me!

Two other non Biennale exhibitions that I loved were Paradise : a solo exhibition of Cy Twombly's work, and Proportio: an incredibly detailed and poetic group show that was exhibited in the Palazzo Fortuny. Both left me completely inspired and excited, as they were so special and so incredibly unique. 

I know we are lucky enough to have some great galleries and exhibitions here in Australia but seeing these shows in a city like Venice felt like a gift. 

I hope you enjoy these few photos I have from my trip in June...

Chiharu Shiota, The Key in the Hand, installation, Japanese Pavillion

Fiona Hall, Wrong Way Time, installation, Australian Pavillion 

Woven pieces by The Tjampi Desert Weavers
- part of Fiona Hall's artwork installation in the Australian Pavillion 

Revolutions by Celeste Boursier-Mougenot in the French Pavillion

One of two amazing sculptural pieces by Jaume Plensa (Barcelona) entitled Together
that was installed in the Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore on the Island of San Giorgio

This was the second sculpture by Jaume Plensa that was in the Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore.
This steel hand looked like it was floating about the Nave

The first room of the Proportio exhibition in the Palazzo Fortuny -
curated by Axel Vervoordt & Daniela Ferretti.
Blew my mind!!

Anish Kapoor installation

Lucia Bru installation entitled Aerocubes (2015)

Art and wall textures merge!
Painting by Kees Goudzwaard called Build Up (2014)

Two beautiful Cy Twombly paintings
from his solo exhibition at Ca' Pesaro Museo in Venice. 

Posters line the streets of Venice letting you know that you are surrounded by art art art!!

home + studio visit with Mel Young

^Colour and textures on the living room table
at Mel Young's family home in Rozelle^

Bang!
Not one but three posts in one day!
And on a Monday morning too!

Please forgive me but im excited after spending a magical week teaching, talking and meeting some amazing Australian artists' and art lovers. And I thought I would impart some of my creative energy onto you!  Its art shock therapy! So we can start the new year on a colourful and creative vibe.
I hope you dont mind?

Now, if you've been reading and following this tiny blog for the past few years, you may already know the lovely work of Mel. And if you've been really observant, you would have seen her colourful Petersham studio loft, when I featured it in a project I was calling 'In our Hands'.

I was on a personal quest with the the 'In Our Hands' project as I have a deep fascination with how artists' like to work in the studio. So I thought I would start snooping around a few art studios in Sydney, watch people at work, and ask questions about their inspirations, experiences of working as an artist, and their creative habits and routines in the studio.

(If you're curious to look at some of these posts, please click onto the label 'In our hands' at the bottom of this post.)

But getting back to Mel - in the last few months Mel, her partner Mark, and beautiful three year old son moved to the lovely Sydney suburb of Rozelle. And a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit her new studio space and take a few photos.

I hope you enjoy this second studio visit for 2014!
Thank you Mel and family for letting us view your new space!
x

^Mel surrounded by the beautiful light of her new studio space^

^Earthy collection in Mel's home^

^The warm colours that cover one shelf in the living room^

^The top shelf where tiny fingers cant reach!^

A^ tiny weaving by Mel and a ceramic cup by Keiko Matsui^

^Beautiful charcoal ceramic pieces from Mel's home collection^

^Precious art pieces mix in with happy memories on the living room shelves^

^I love a colourful fridge!
Especially where is happens to spell out some 'fun' vocab^

^A small small snippet of Mel's succulent collection in the backyard
that migrated with her  to Rozelle^

^The colourful vignettes continue into the studio^

^Artworks, ideas, postcards, jewellery pieces and experiments.... in the studio^

^The desk ...
and an smorgasbord of colourful and creative things to play with^

the textures and colours of apt7

I think this detail Sara Rahbar's work sums up the whole Asia Pacific Triennial in Brisbane.... 

Ive been trying to write this post since i arrived back from Brisbane.

I rarely struggle with a blog post, as I usually try and keep them simple, like a diary entry.

But this one has been hard. 

Simply because the 7th Asia Pacific Triennial (APT7) at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane was...
Incredible. Massive. Detailed. 

And overwhelming. 

Again.

Three years ago I went with my mate Amelia to see this exhibition that had been celebrated and loved for some 17 years. We didn't know what to expect.
And as such, we were completely blown away. 

I remember how excited it made me about art - and more specifically - the contemporary art world. 

This year was no different.

Over two days I learnt a lot about the art and peoples of Papua New Guinea, the emerging artists' of Indonesia, and many places in between.  I realised that the art world is changing, and becoming more diverse in its points of view. As one person eloquently put it: the art world is shifting its boundaries. No longer do we have to look toward New York, London, Paris and Berlin for the experimental artworks and edgy artists. Now we can go to Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and Tonga - by way of New Zealand!

Anyway.... as you can see... I have a few photos to share with you.

And i hope they give you a tiny idea of how amazing this massive exhibition was.

The APT celebrated its 20th birthday this year.

I cant wait to see where it will be in another 20 years time!

 This is what greeted you as you entered the massive doorway of GOMA!
Brikiti Cultural Group (Abelam Peoples, PNG),  Korumbo (Spirit House) 2012.

( clockwise, from top left)
Aware Peoples from PNG with their ceremonial masks entitled Tabuan Katmut Mut 2011;
Kwoma Arts Project from PNG and their 200 panel Spirit House Ceiling that was mounted on the wall;
Alex Gabour (PNG), and his Ule and Neo (male and female fish Masks) 2011;
 Iatapal Cultural Group (PNG), Mary 2011 headdresses 

Made in Company (China), Spread 201009103, 2010.
This multicoloured installation greeted you as you entered one of the rooms at The
Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) which showcased some of the APT7 artworks. 

(clockwise, from top left)
Solpolemalama Filipe Tohi (Tonga/NZ), Kulasi 2003-12 ,installation of lalava;
Asmat wooden carvings from the Asmat region of Papua;
Sulka Peoples of PNG and their beautiful headdresses;
Sara Rahbar (Iran/USA), and her multi textured recycled flag artworks on the wall

(Clockwise from top left)
Nguyen Manh Hung (Vietnam) and a detail of his amazing installation Living Together in Paradise 2009;
Takahiro Iwasaki (Japan), Reflection Model (Perfect Bliss) 2010-12;
PARAMODEL(Japan), How to Make a Paramodel,  Room Installation,2012;
Huang Yong Ping (China), Ressort 2012, steel water snake sculpture @ QAG

Lorainne Connolly-Northey (Aust),  Narbong (String Bag) Installation 2012;
Shirley Macnarmara (Aust), Wingreeguu 2012, floor installation;
Detail of Lorainne's steel string bag installation (this was an big as me!);
Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri (Aust), Wooden Carving sculptures
and paintings by Timothy Cook (Aust/Tiwi), Tutini 2012

textures//journeys//inspirations

M C A ^  F E B  ^ 2 0 1 3 

Ok . I know Im a little late to the party when it comes to the Amish Kapoor exhibition at the MCA.
This show has be exciting people throughout the Summer months.
And Summer is waving goodbye to us today! 

Can you tell that Im crying a little at this fact?

So - to cheer myself up I thought I would try and catch up on a few summer activities this week. 

And one thing that was at the top of my list was a trip to the MCA to see the Amish Kapoor exhibition.

Now  - I should let you know at this point that Im not going to go into a big review of my impressions of each and every single work, as I have to admit something to you.....

Im not sure if I loved it.

Not all of it anyway.

Don't get me wrong - I love Kapoor's work. His art is awe inspiring, mystical and spiritual - making you think, dream, wonder and laugh.
But on this particular day all I wanted to do was look at the textures and colours that he plays with.
Wax, natural pigments, wood, mirrors and huge amounts of rusted steel - I loved getting up close and having a good look.

But then I got excited about another part of the museum.

The collection of indigenous weavings and paintings by amazing artists' such as Emily Kame Kngwarreye. The colours, the craft, the technique, the connection each work gives me to the land, and the stories stored within the trees, earth and sky makes me happy.
And truly inspired.

So my MCA adventure that afternoon became about finding textures and colours that inspire me - a combination of Kapoor, with the weavings and paintings from the floor below.

Sometimes it's your own journey through a gallery that makes you inspired and excited -  rather than viewing a curated international blockbuster exhibition.

Don't you think?

just a couple more

Surrounded by sculptures on the Bondi headland walk...

It was a hot, sunny afternoon and I was surrounded by tourists, Eastern Suburb Gen -y's looking to perfect their tans, and a massive grey army - all in their comfy walking shoes, hats and maps. It truly was a great mix of people, all coming together in one of Sydney's best locations, to enjoy  one of this cities most iconic art exhibitions. 

Sculpture by the Sea is always a great reminder that Summer is on its way, and that's its time to embrace the outdoors and ANYTHING to do with the beach. 

Its also a visual reminder that vivid colour is not hard to come in this part of the globe. 

I mean - just look at that blue sky! 

Inspiration for the week?

Check.

Kevin Draper, threshold, 2012

a few of the artworks poked fun at the whole concept,
and didnt try to take themselves too seriously - like this work by
Dave Mercer entitled view tm, 2012

which statue is the real thing ??...
In the foreground is the 'real' sculpture by Steinunn Thorainsdottir called trace, sphere, gate, 2012

one big sculptural playground // Tamarama beach filled with people and artworks.

Kate Dunn, regenerate, 2012

Bronte. no words needed.

I hoped you liked the tour?
It was a great afternoon exploring the sunny side of the city, with artworks included!
Have a colourful and inspiring weekend and Ill see you on the other side...x

sculpture by the sea // 2012

On the Bondi to Bronte Walk for the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition 2012
Sculpture:Greer Taylor, transition, 2012

I don't really want to rabbit on..
I think the images sort of speak for themselves.

The day was hot and sunny-
The sculptures were in technicolour-
And I took a walk through it all -
trying to soak it all in.
{Without getting too burnt!!}

It was Sculpture by the Sea 2012.

And I loved my journey though it all...

Sang-Bong Lee, still life #1, 2012

My favourite! Colourful, recycled, and playful...
Its by Staccato and its called poom, 2012

Mark James Emery, bamboo waves, 2012

Sandy Bliim, clytie, 2012

Alex Richie, kaleidoscope, 2012

Tom de Monk Kerkmeer, luchkasteel, 2012

Ruth Downes & Geoff Webster, casting around, 2012

Dion Horstmans, Moonfire Im #11-15, 2012

Stephen Marr, the optimist, 2012

Gaye Jurisich, playpen, 2012

Cave Urban, mengenang (memory), 2012

Jane Gillings, midden, 2012

Alex Goad, invasive colonisation, 2012

Sculpture by the Sea runs until this Sunday
So get in quick if you would like to see all 100 artworks on display.

Its a massive exhibition, but its also in an amazing part of the globe.
Thank you Sydney for such a beautiful day with which to explore this year's amazing exhibition...