Grace And Intensity
Newcastle Herald
Saturday December 18, 1999
`Cosmic Athletes', paintings by Robyn Stanton Werkhoven, Lindsay Street Gallery until December 19.
`An Asian Influence', Linocuts by Kate Gilligan, Goldmak Art Gallery, 206 Lambton Road, New Lambton until December 23.
`It's the thought that counts', Gifts made by artists, Back to Back Galleries until December 19.
`Christmas Eclectic', Steepstairs Gallery until December 24.
R OBYN Stanton Werkhoven's paintings have always had an intensity apparently at odds with the graceful girls they depict.
Still brilliantly coloured, her new work at Lindsay Street is the strongest yet, firmly grounded in good drawing. Her contrasting pairs of gymnasts are always convincing, crouched and earthbound or taut and soaring. Each figure is independent and unaware of the other, yet part of a unified composition. This sets up interesting ironies, more convincing in meaning than the openly didactic works.
As we currently have ample opportunity to study at the Art Gallery of NSW, drawings of the human figure can invoke a multitude of metaphors. * Recent graduate Kate Gilligan loves the intricate detail possible with linocut. She understands that complex subjects are as powerful in black and white as they could be in colour.
Undoubtedly her mentor has been Vera Zulumovski. They share an inventive approach to exotic subjects, but in place of Macedonia transplanted to Newcastle, the exhibition at the strangely named Goldmak Gallery consists of works based on recent travels in India and Nepal.
The chaotic sights of Katmandu are schematised, from snowy peaks through layers of rock and farm, past villages down to the bustle of the city and its looping river. Temples, markets and proudly costumed villagers bring us the richness of a very foreign place. Even the buses or the elephants and camels from the Independence Day parade in Delhi are richly decorated.
Also noteworthy is the ingenious manner in which the printing plates have been recycled; black and white are reversed, details are transformed into separate art works, some works are hand coloured. * It is the season of tempting Christmas exhibitions.
There are some remarkably cheap and interesting ideas at Back to Back. Well-thrown pottery bowls abound. There are also ceramic wreathes and baubles. Or what about tufts of Mondo grass in small handmade pots?
Steepstairs has a constantly changing display of small works by many artists, including Graham Cox, Don Morris and Tessa Morrison. Little landscapes by Caroline Bates have a disproportionate power. Krysten Walker's winged wombats should grace someone's stocking. * There is a real surprise at the Region Gallery. A giant, shiny red cone welcomes visitors at the front door, suggesting seasonal decoration.
But upstairs is more evocative inflatable art making, the giant pale eggs made by Jutta Feddersen, one of the country's leading fibre artists.
It won't be possible to write about the exhibitions that are now up and running before the New Year, if at all. They include Fijian tapa cloths by Nelson Salesi at the John Hunter Hospital and an installation by Gillean Shaw at the Paynter Gallery which finishes tomorrow.
There is also one more day to catch the East Timor benefit art sale at the View Factory.
© 1999 Newcastle Herald