REVIEW 2009 - Aust Sq + MLC
ANGELA MORRELL'S REVIEW:
Australia Square and MLC Exhibition 2009
Jan Howard Shaw
"Lost in the Forest of Capitalism"
Copper Wood
Today wealth is created when the managers of business enterprise give greater priority to rewarding shareholders and bondholders rather than through manufacturing, exporting and direct investment produced prosperity. We are now lost in a forest of information that creates fear and anxiety. We entrust those who often seem equally lost to find a way out. In Shaw’s beaten and tubular copper sculpture she represents three suited businessmen in a forest. Her work is metaphorical and clearly represents a contemporary situation.
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Sally Aplin
"Shelter"
Copper, enamel, mixed media
Basic shelter is one of the most necessary of our needs for human survival. There are an abundance of materials from which we can create shelter. Aplin has chosen a medium to which she is no stranger. Her expertise in controlling the crawling of enamel, over tubular copper, when heat is applied, has been directed to give the impression of weathering on its structure. “Shelter” also promotes a feeling of isolation. This has been created by placing her work on a bed of sand, which is in turn placed on a narrow grey plinth that is of part of the work. The colours are subtle engaging us with the work's beautiful simplicity.
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Wolfgang Gowin
"Bamboo meets Aspin"
Steel, bamboo, silk
A large base in welded steel, that is reminiscent both of a ships bow and a farmers plough, anchors “Bamboo meets Aspin” together. A large bamboo pole is bolted to the steel base. An aspen poplar branch is held in position at the floor creating an arc as it is bent and attached at the top to the bamboo. A large stone hangs freely from the bamboo pole by strong wire. White and red silk fabric is stretched between rods that penetrate the bamboo. It is an impressive work that balances it's many elements together into an exciting composition.
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John Gardner
"Stargazer"
Bronze, stainless steel, glass
Many of the shapes in Gardners work remind us of shapes found in the symbolism of ancient civilizations. “Stargazer” is no exception. However, from the title of the work we are directed to think of astronomy and the observing of the universe. Precision tools and mechanical instruments that are used to measure and observe distant planets are also indicated. An overlapping of bronze, sand blasted glass and stainless steel gives depth to its strong shapes. Both straight and curved lines promote immense strength and direction. This is a masculine, powerful and most pleasing work.
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Blaze Krstanoski-Blazeski
"Swimmer"
Bronze
Making smooth controlled swimming movements equates with good technique. This rule of thumb applies equally to swimming as it does to Krstanoski-Blazeski’s metaphorical description of this action in sculptural form. A good swimmer repeats his/her actions so that they flow unhindered. This also occurs in “Swimming” and ones eye is directed to follow the precision in the flow of lines. There is a buoyancy in its curving forms. The pale green patination of the bronze serves to promote the feeling of water.
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Maurice Schlesinger
"Freefall"
Steel
Schlesinger has used a repetition of straight rods and wide flat strips of curved steel reminding us of the forces of wind and gravity. The configuration of these repeated shapes are welded together but this structural input does not hinder the feeling of the separate elements being in freefall. Billowing shapes appear to be supported and carried by the wind and look as if they are floating. Whereas the rods pile up at the base directed more strongly by the force of gravity with a few giving the appearance of bouncing. This is a well-resolved work and succeeds in its intentions.
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Michael Vaynman
"First Meeting"
Bronze
It is good to observe the work of a young sculptor who is in no way inhibited by using a traditional medium in such a masterful way. To observe excellence in technique in the manipulation of all the materials necessary in bronze casting utilizing them with such perfection, to the level that Vaynman is capable of, is a pleasure. Moreover, he says things his way, even though being influenced by past masters; he in no way copies them. “First Meeting” is the realistic observations of two gentle feline animals confronting each other for the first time. They represent soft youthful beauty, sniffing at the air and prancing in playful courtship. There are interesting shapes to observe, almost mechanical in appearance, in the composition of the horses… especially in the tails and manes. “First Meeting” is a composition that is well formulated and yet utterly charming.