Platform 2014

janmantonart Platform 2014 14 – 30 Aug

Gabrielle Courtenay Michael Doolan Stephen Hart Merete Megarrity Curated by Charlotte Tegan Platform 2014 is an offsite exhibition at Metro Arts Hours: Mon-Fri 10.00 – 4.30 pm Sat 2 – 4.30pm

Metro Arts 2nd Floor 109 Edward St Brisbane.

(Cover image: Michael Doolan, Trickster, ceramic and auto enamel, 45 x 30 x 23 cm)

PLATFORM 2014 Jan Manton Art @ Metro Arts In the third and final installment of the Platform series from Jan Manton Art, artists Michael Doolan, Stephen Hart, Gabrielle Courtenay and Merete Megarrity come together in an unlikely aesthetic combination. In an exhibition proving on the surface to appear primarily sculptural, Platform 2014 showcases links between the artists’ deeper observations of and explorations into the notions of cultural literacy and human understanding.

Following on from the earlier exhibitions in the Platform series in 2012 and 2013, Platform 2014 holds tradition by providing Jan Manton Art with the opportunity at Brisbane’s Metro Arts to exhibit larger-scale works that would not ordinarily fit in the Jan Manton Art gallery space in Spring Hill. The original selection of artists sprung from the increased accessible space, but has since morphed into a curiously coherent, visually engaging conceptual exhibition.

The selected exhibited works demonstrate each artist’s exploration into their own understanding of both the human condition and the broader concept of cultural literacy and communal interaction. While each artist engages in particularly different mediums, the exhibition radiates a sense of cogent comprehension.

Melbourne artist Michael Doolan’s latest selection of works examine the literary fairytale, the narrative artform that we have witnessed evolving through various continents, eras and elaborations. Through reinterpreting the core motifs, images and characters via the exploration of various new forms, details and tones, Doolan presents intricate, visually striking three-dimensional ceramic and enamel sculptures that demonstrate new ways of both reading and decoding the traditional fairytale.

Similarly to Doolan’s investment in cultural motifs and collective readings, Sydney artist Gabrielle Courtenay utilises culturally specific symbols to construct and arrange new narratives within her works. Interested in the concepts of pictorial space and aesthetic ornament, and often removing symbols of cultural significance from their original context, Courtenay is able to create a sense of unknowing by rebuilding images with a new narrative - inviting the viewer to interpret the now ambiguous meaning of the metaphorical and the abstract. Courtenay’s paintings in Platform 2014 demonstrate a curiosity with the idea of the mythical, juxtaposing symbols and scenery to create subtly startling new works that delve further into the themes of connection and interaction.

Brisbane-based artist Merete Megarrity is another of the Platform 2014 artists who actively explores the notions of connection and interaction in her most recent, intricate series of works. Megarrity’s Bush March (2014) utilises found objects from the Australian bush landscape to create a multi-layered, implicative work that at once highlights the simultaneously delicate and hardy nature of the Australian bush, illustrating the fragile dynamics of both our natural world and our environmental experiences.

The final artist in the Platform 2014 selection is Brisbane-based sculptural artist Stephen Hart, whose most recent work continues his often thematic investigation into the nature of the human condition and its relationship to the built and urban environments of Australia. Opting to further investigate the conceptual side of his figurative practice, Hart has directed his work along a more anonymous, less clinical, less traceable path.

Introducing photo media to a large scale sculptural work for Platform 2014, Hart has created an unexpected new aesthetic - resulting in a visual engagement that is at once both rich and complex.

Together, this unlikely selection of new works engages on a deep conceptual level, exploring the shared ties within the notions of cultural literacy, the human condition and communal understanding and interpretation. Linked with social commentary on the contemporary interpretation of ideas and the various issues facing today’s generations, the artworks of Platform 2014 encourage thought and discussion, both between the walls of the exhibition and within the minds of the viewers.

Charlotte Tegan Curator Platform 2014

Gabrielle Courtenay Sydney artist Gabrielle Courtenay utilises culturally specific symbols to construct and arrange new narratives within her works. Interested in the concepts of pictorial space and aesthetic ornament, and often removing symbols of cultural significance from their original context, Courtenay is able to create a sense of unknowing by rebuilding images with a new narrative - inviting the viewer to interpret the now ambiguous meaning of the metaphorical and the abstract. Courtenay’s paintings in Platform 2014 demonstrate a curiosity with the idea of the mythical, juxtaposing symbols and scenery to create subtly startling new works that delve further into the themes of connection and interaction.

Gabrielle Courtenay Under Southern Skies (2013) acrylic on Belgium linen 127 x 152 cm $6,600

Golden Island (2014) mixed media 60 x 35 x 25 cm $770

Goddess (2014) mixed media 30 x 16 x 9 cm $550 More works by this artist available for viewing at Metro Arts 2nd 109 Edward St Brisbane or email info@janmantonart.com

Michael Doolan Melbourne artist Michael Doolan’s latest selection of works examine the literary fairy-tale, the narrative artform that we have witnessed evolving through various continents, eras and elaborations. Through reinterpreting the core motifs, images and characters via the exploration of various new forms, details and tones, Doolan presents intricate, visually striking three-dimensional ceramic and enamel sculptures that demonstrate new ways of both reading and decoding the traditional fairytale.

Michael Doolan Trickster (2014) ceramic and auto enamel 45 x 30 x 23 cm $6,500

Flower (2014) ceramic and auto enamel 31 x 25 x 24 cm $5,700

Snow White and the Tree (2014) ceramic and auto enamel 56 x 40 x 25 cm $5,800 More works by this artist available for viewing at Metro Arts 2nd 109 Edward St Brisbane or email info@janmantonart.com

Merete Megarrity Brisbane-based artist Merete Megarrity is another of the Platform 2014 artists who actively explores the notions of connection and interaction in her most recent, intricate series of works. Megarrity’s Bush March (2014) utilises found objects from the Australian bush landscape to create a multi-layered, implicative work that at once highlights the simultaneously delicate and hardy nature of the Australian bush, illustrating the fragile dynamics of both our natural world and our environmental experiences.

Merete Megarrity Bush March (2014) wood, wire, plaster, oil paint, fired clay, felt, rubber, organic found objects various sizes maximum height 35 cm POA

Bush March (detail) (2014) wood, wire, plaster, oil paint, fired clay, felt, rubber, organic found objects various sizes maximum height 35 cm

Bush March (detail) (2014) wood, wire, plaster, oil paint, fied clay, felt, rubber, organic found objects various sizes maximum height 35 cm More works by this artist available for viewing at Metro Arts 2nd 109 Edward St Brisbane or email info@janmantonart.com

Steven Hart Brisbane-based sculptural artist Stephen Hart, whose most recent work continues his often thematic investigation into the nature of the human condition and its relationship to the built and urban environments of Australia. Opting to further investigate the conceptual side of his figurative practice, Hart has directed his work along a more anonymous, less clinical, less traceable path. Introducing photo media to a large scale sculptural work for Platform 2014, Hart has created an unexpected new aesthetic - resulting in a visual engagement that is at once both rich and complex.

Stephen Hart Ideation (2014) plywood, scanned and printed newsprint 230 x 120 x 120 cm POA

Ideation (detail) (2014) plywood, scanned and printed newsprint 230 x 120 x 120 cm

Ideation (detail) (2014) plywood, scanned and printed newsprint 230 x 120 x 120 cm

More works by this artist available for viewing at Metro Arts 2nd 109 Edward St Brisbane or email info@janmantonart.com

Jan Manton Art would like to thank Liz Burcham and staff of Metro Arts for their support and assistance.

Jan Manton Art acknowledges curator Charlotte Tegan and thanks the artists Stephen Hart Merete Megarrity Michael Doolan Gabrielle Courtenay

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