Evolution & Emergence

‘Evolution & Emergence… Canterbury Graduates Down The Track’

Louise Clarkson, Bianca van Leeuwen, Jane Bowman and Nicole Bourke

Opening 10am Sat 2nd April and showing until Thursday 28th April

In true ‘Celebrating Selwyn’ style, Selwyn Gallery welcomes back four of the District’s most promising contemporary artists. Three years after an “Emerging Artists” exhibition at the Gallery, the foursome illustrates how they’ve matured and developed in their artistic expression and form.

A rare thing is a foursome of artists of this quality and coherency – let alone a foursome who traveled through Darfield High School and Ilam Fine Arts School together. The resolutely different styles of the artists ranging from photographic emulsion techniques to textural paint works to 3D installations serves only to engage and challenge the viewer. The artists themselves possess a confidence in their works which belies their age and experience.

Louise Clarkson is a printmaker and 3D artist who fragments and collages architectural elements by using texture, broken form and silhouetting to create simplistic visual icons. These icons represent the tensions between the concepts and materials of architecture.

Bianca van Leeuwen uses modern photographic techniques such as photographic emulsion to reference the old grainy photos of the past and explore themes of place, time, perception and repetition. Works tend to involve a strong horizon line with a focus on man-made or artificial influences.

Nicole Bourke explores scientific imagery through the visual breakdown of natural materials at the cellular level – a fascination with microphotographs and their cellular structure supports a visual exploration of a world of illusion and fantasy.

Jane Bowman’s work focuses on new interpretations of debased objects by challenging the viewer’s ideas of function, form and identity. Thematically, scientific references such as DNA are obvious, while the use of recycled materials is an ethos born of interest and emotional connection, rather than an environmentally charged intention.

The emotional depth and articulate art practice that is found in these works is astounding – this is truly a celebration of Selwyn’s top talent.

For further information or photographs please contact Anna directly on the above numbers or email.