The University of Newcastle, Australia



30 March – 17 April 2011

Exhibitions to be opened by Jonathan James, artist and lecturer at the University of Newcastle, and Miranda Lawry, Lecturer in Photomedia at the University of Newcastle, at 7pm on opening night Thursday 31 March.

Symbiosis 
CHRIS BROWN

Symbiosis is a mixed media exhibition by Newcastle artist Chris Brown. In his final six months of study at Newcastle University, Chris's work is inspired by the unusual, forgotten and irritating happenings of life. By transforming everyday objects into dry social observations, he creates an image of contemporary western consumption. Through the use of local, sometimes invasive flora, the work speaks about rising oil, food, and energy prices  and the profound separation of contemporary culture from the natural world. 

   

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Perpetual 
WILLIAM MAGUIRE

A foray into the aesthetics of natural form through blacksmithing technique
This body of work is a look at the sculptural forms to be found in nature and the tendency of these same forms to look alien when placed out of context from the natural world. The name Perpetual is derived from the need to keep our natural spaces alive into the future and the representation of nature in a permanent way in forged steel confirms this idea. William Maguire

 

 

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Wandering Line 
RIONA TINDAL

Wandering Line follows the inspiration from my travels.  Whilst conducting frog surveys for my PhD research degree, I often come across the amazing, wonderful and unusual wildlife. The images of the wildlife are taken on the spot whilst roaming through national parks, farms, state forests and beaches.
From simplistic linear works to complex pencil, ink and watercolour rendering, the animals are shown in their movement. Photographic depiction shows the unique characteristics of species in habitat during rain, shine, day or night.  Riona Tindal

 

 

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Dimensions Variable 
NERIDA ACKLAND

Dimensions variable is a sculptural installation reflecting my continuing investigation into material, process and repetition.  Nerida Ackland

 

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Being There: Being Where 
MARK MASON

When people draw they often refer to the negative space, these images then will be photographic representations of negative space. Much of the inspiration for this series came from the work of photographers such as Samantha Small and her series Mrs Allen’s Empire. Here clearly there was a tragedy and it was my intention for the images to portray a sense of intrusion into this empty space.  The images I gather are not always of recognisable objects, I am more often taken by a mood these images create. I look at my surroundings then close in to apprehend an object or a scene.   I will always be searching for those images that catch my eye and my mind. Mark Mason



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Going Postal
curated by BREE CUNNINGHAM

International photographic postcard show with works from students of University of New Mexico (USA) & University of Newcastle (AUS)

The students of this exhibition have produced a diverse range of photographic outcomes when given the task of creating a work (or series of works) no larger than a postcard. The size and portability of these works allowed the two Universities to exchange artistic ideas and styles as well as allow the students to exhibit their work in another country.  This show was last exhibited at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM, USA on 15 April 2010.  Bree Cunningham