AU S T R A L I A N GA L L E R I E S MELBOURNE
PHILIP DAVEY Nature and Science 9 – 28 March 2021
Artist in studio, 2021
AU S T R A L I A N GA L L E R I E S MELBOURNE
Invites you to the opening
PHILIP DAVEY Nature and Science Tuesday 9 March 2021 6pm - 8pm 28 Derby Street Collingwood VIC 3066 Current until Sunday 28 March 2021 Open 7 days 10am to 6pm T 03 9417 2422 melbourne@australiangalleries.com.au australiangalleries.com.au
Front cover: Science and nature: measuring a tree (detail) 2020 oil on linen 92 x 122 cm
Artist’s studio, 2021
Inspired by a deep appreciation for the natural world and the vibrant imagery of the works of early artists, explorers and natural historians, Philip Davey’s new exhibition Nature and Science continues his exploration into notions of place, time, perception, discovery and loss. Davey elegantly interweaves concepts and physical elements from the works of Colonial artists into his own landscape paintings, which have been developed and refined throughout his many years as an en plein air painter. The sense of seeing a landscape for the first time, of experiencing its foreignness, its wild beauty and untamed majesty are tangible in these works. Abundant with exuberant colour and life, Davey’s works masterfully juxtapose images from colonial to contemporary. In these paintings Davey recreates motifs from the works of the First Fleet painters, including George Raper, the Port Jackson Painter, Benjamin Duterrau and John Lewin, and is inspired by Frans Snyders’ iconic painting A Concert of Birds (1630). Images of luminous Arctic icebergs floating in the distance poignantly reflect the notion of what was once a pristine landscape, unmarred by human activity and the industrial world. To experience these paintings is to see familiar landscapes and species with entirely fresh eyes, as if discovering their magnificence for the first time and at once becoming aware of our impact on, and relationship with them. Nature and Science showcases large scale paintings, smaller studies and a series of ceramic sculptures.
Details of Continental drift
Continental drift 2020 oil on linen 137 x 183 cm
Landscape with Raper’s parrot 2020 oil on linen 92 x 122 cm
Details from Night time narcissus
Night time narcissus 2020 oil on linen 92 x 122 cm
Science and nature: measuring a tree 2020 oil on linen 92 x 122 cm
Details of Landscape with quoll and cockatoo
Landscape with quoll and cockatoo 2020 oil on linen 60 x 82 cm
66.5 degrees north 2020 oil on linen 92 x 122 cm
Left: Weeping koala 2021 glazed stoneware 25 x 20 x 15 cm Right: Bird’s nest #2 2021 glazed stoneware 20 x 15 X 15 cm
Bird’s nest #5 2021 glazed stoneware 23 x 21 x 16 cm
Flight #2 2020 glazed stoneware 22 x 28.5 x 22 cm
Lyrebird #2 2020 glazed stoneware 28 x 33 x 17 cm
White owl 2020 glazed stoneware 28 x 25 x 14 cm
Magpie 2021 glazed stoneware 25 x 25 x 17 cm
Flight 2020 glazed stoneware 22 x 37 x 24 cm
Raku vessel #2 2020 Raku pottery 25 x 19 x 19 cm
Raku vessel #1 2020 Raku pottery 28 x 17 x 17 cm
Raku vessel #3 2020 Raku pottery 27 x 19 x 19 cm
PHILIP DAVEY
Artist’s studio, 2021
AU S T R A L I A N GA L L E R I E S MELBOURNE: Derby Street 03 9417 4303 Stock Rooms 03 9417 2422 SYDNEY: Roylston Street 02 9360 5177 enquiries@australiangalleries.com.au australiangalleries.com.au Design and Production by Publishing