INGALLERY.2 and ONLINE
07 – 29 October 2023
REFLECTIONS OF AN ANCIENT LAND: The MacDonnell Ranges
Ann Cape | Bela Ivanyi | Chris Gentle | Daniel Pata.
Travelling to the outback is always stimulating for artists. The sense of our individual insignifigance on this planet is demonstrated bythe vast expanse of an ancient landscape, big skies, an earthy palette.
The texture of the dry vegetation, dead or burnt trees scratch the landscape with vestiges of new grey-green growth, and violet shadows. It is an enticing spectacle.
Apart from the love of the landscape, the commaraderie of travelling with a like minded group of people, happy to sit fo hours at a time playing with paint, charcoal or any art material was a joy.
The early morning chill, cups of steaming tea in the frost, before setting out for the day. Later, the increasing heat.., and the roving swarms of flies can be a challenging experience. …sitting in the landscape, absorbing not only the colour or forms presented, but the sense of space, history and quiet solitude are amazing.
The evenings spent with good company, food and wine in a convivial atmosphere in front of an open fire, the odd game of pool… a memorable experience. ~ Ann Cape, 2020.
Collections include: AMP; Sir Vincent Fairfax; Onesteel, Whyalla SA; Hunters Hill Council; Liverpool Council; Cessnock Regional Gallery; Bega Valley Regional Gallery; Lismore Regional Gallery; Smoky and Dot Dawson; Mosman Regional Gallery; Mosman Council; Mudanjiang Art Academy, China
Bela Ivanyi OAM, has been organising artist camps in the Central Desert around Alice Springs, NT for many years. His work is predominanantly done in situ at these camps and he has developed a rapport with country that provides insights and unique experiences to fellow artists
In 2017, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to the visual arts, in recognition of his role as an educator and mentor.
Collections include: Australian National Gallery, Canberra; Artbank; Transfield Collection; Citicorp (Citibank); Ansett Airlines; Hilton International Hotel, Cairns; University of Southern Queensland; University of Wollongong; University of New South Wales; Macquarie University, Sydney; Australian National University, Canberra; Manly Regional Art Gallery; A.N.A. Hotel, Sydney; Franco Belgiomo-Nettis C.B.E.; Deutsche Bank; Freehill, Hollingdale & Paige.
I have always been intrigued by the expressive power of mark making… The formal qualities of tone and colour are evocative, of course, but for me, an enriched surface, enlivened with a range of interesting marks, is both suggestive and seductive, and this holds true whether the image is quite realistic or moves into abstraction. ~ Chris Gentle, 2020.
Collections include: Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Australian National Gallery, Canberra; Australian National Portrait Gallery, Canberra; Art Gallery of Queensland; Artbank; New York Times Collection, New York; IBM Australia; College of Fine Arts, UNSW; University of Wollongong; University of New South Wales.
Driving towards Alice Springs from our base at Ross River, you enter a complex geological area significant to the Eastern Arrernte people and contain sites that form a part of the “Wallaby Dreaming” trail.
It´s one of the two areas that traverse the East Macdonnell ranges. At once one is startled! I was drawn to the rugged teeth like protrusions that spread throughout the whole area, strata´s of rock that traverse peaks and ridges undulating in elegant movements and fascinating patterns.
Beside these flowing linear structures is the spectacular rise of “Trephina Bluff”, an impressive projection above the ridges, a powerful point of reference anywhere in the region. It was all intoxicating and set challenges for all of us enjoying its offerings.
Anne, Bela, Chris and I enjoyed working in this place and the many caches discovered, including what would be the largest ghost gum in Australia. Walking around this enormous ancient tree really symbolised the colossal scale and majesty of this whole arid region.
Indeed it was dry, but it´s evocative colour, dynamic shapes and rugged lyricism made it lush to a painters eye. Being there and observing has been a catalyst to developing thoughts and (new) ideas about painting and drawing.. ~ Daniel Pata, 2020
Collections include: Sturt University, NSW; Gosford Regional Gallery, NSW; St. Peter´s College, Oxford University, UK; The National Gallery of Australia.