'HOME' Exhibition 2023

A big thank you to my artist friends Brenton Hill and Libby Bennett who, with myself, pulled off an insightful exhibition called ‘HOME’ in 2023. Thank you to The Main Gallery, Adelaide, for helping us put on such a great exhibition.

‘HOME’ - that dear, ideal place or state of being we all long for at any given point in time…

What, where, when, why and even who, is ‘home’?

Three artists Jacqui Grace, Brenton Hill and Libby Bennett explore this in their artworks, which encompass past, present and future: memories, dreams and hope. Their diverse expressions are deeply personal yet hold significance for all.

Backyard Series

I love the wildlife that wander our backyard over the course of each day. The grey rabbit appears everyday to eat some of our weeds. The many different birds gather around the bird feeder whilst the squirrels bounce across the fence with perfect balance. The rich colored feathers of the bright red Cardinal and the shades of the Blue Jay bird catch my eye. The chipmunks with their reddish-brown stripes and fluffy tails chubby up their cheeks to nibble on their food.  

On our walk last week, we stumbled upon a small orange fox that sprinted away in fright. The skunks can be smelt on many occasions and the vultures circle the sky awaiting some prey. If we keep an eye to the sky, we sometimes see an eagle with their majestic wings spread and many a deer wander about chewing grass with eyes so beautifully lashed on high alert. At a distance we see donkeys and horses in all their spirited beauty. Even a Golden Retriever ventured through today.

I just felt like painting dogs

Aren’t dogs priceless? What a God given gift to comfort people’s souls. Like healing balm and a solace for many.

I grew up with a golden Corgi crossed Dachshund, named Dasha. We were familiar with all his barks that indicated different things going on. His bark for a snake was quite different to a sleepy lizard or an echidna. In his protective ways, his barking at our own cars was quite different to the bark for anyone unknown. He just loved going for rides around the farm in the ute. Look out for anyone who would try and remove him from the front seat at the time. This was his time, thanks very much! Later we owned Bonnie and then Ben who were the most stunning Scotch Collie dogs. Exhausting to brush though.

Our most recent dog who passed away not long ago was a golden Cocker Spaniel and such a cuddler. When he placed his face on my chest and looked up into my eyes, for what seemed like forever, it was precious. So soothing. Every single time we would arrive home, he would race around with such freaked out excitement. Like we had returned from the dead. Every single time! How special to be greeted so well and to be so loved. I am sure it’s not all about food! Pretty sure anyway. Who do you talk to when you go outside if you don’t have a dog?

If anyone in our family was sick, he was sensitive to it. He would always place his paw over our arm or leg just to touch. Dogs have a special way of connecting with us, don’t you think? They make the best water bottle for our feet and their ever willingness for cuddles on the sofa is priceless.

Frankie

This series of paintings are in memory of my niece Leah’s “little sausage” dog which she sadly misses. He was a source of great comfort. They are playful interpretations of his character, painted to inspire joy in the viewer.

Empathy

Only curiosity about the fate of others, the ability to put ourselves in their shoes, and the will to enter their world through the magic of imagination, creates this shock of recognition. Without this empathy there can be no genuine dialogue, and we as individuals and nations will remain isolated and alien, segregated and fragmented Azar Nafisi,

'Walking a mile in someone else’s shoes' is a common saying that alludes to feelings of empathy. I had a strong urge to paint my own shoes, which perhaps developed from my own self-reflections on empathy and its power for change. Shoes can be a status symbol where they are used to project an image or character type.  I found that shoes and their shapes could be manipulated to indicate a thought or social behaviour. Each pair of shoes or group of shoes appeared to take on a persona of their own, moving across the canvas at different speeds or in different patterns.

Magnolias

In Franklin Tennessee are these magnificent and often huge magnolia trees. The flowers are incredibly milky cream and rusty orange in colour. I was drawn to their soft form and curly shapes within their mass of dark green shiny leaves. As the flowers age they transform from pure soft white into a rich rusty orange. I strove to keep the paintings freely painted with the light and blue of the sky shining through. These paintings are not complicated. They simply express and share beauty.

In The Patch

Not long after moving to Franklin, Tennessee, I came across an amazing patch of red tulips. The colour had such a powerful impact on my senses that I just needed to get that rich red onto canvas. This body of work is simply about that. It is to uplift and brighten people’s day. To celebrate the gift of our creation that is so full of incredible colour and design. I just needed to be ‘in the patch.’ There are many times that artists feel they need to tone colours down to be admired. With this work I just splashed that red paint on as bright as can be because that is what the patch was like.

Red dog

I sat there on the old stone tank Watching the salt water trickle in
Worrying about the money we haven't got in the bin and this bloody drought,
that we could do without.
Listening to the old pump jack grinding away,
in it's slow methodical way,
whilst catching a blood red sunset of another stinking hot day.
Gazing occasionally to the west and the east,
hoping for one cloud at last.
There was not one in sight, and the bloody wind refused to blow,
so the windmill stayed still, and the stock tanks wouldn't fill.
The sheep were hanging around,
waiting for that liquid gold to come out of the ground.
They were all dying for a drink, and reckoned their lives were on the brink,
'cause the troughs were as dry as the empty kitchen sink,
the bores were breaking down and the dams were nearly dry.
Was enough to make a grown man cry.
Then up on the tank jumped my old mate Red,
close by my little black kelpie Jed.
They both gave me a slobbery lick, as if to say "shit a brick".
We are mates forever, so pick yourself up and we'll stick this drought out together.
So I sat up straight instead of half on my back, figuring they've got the right idea!
and thinking as it got further into the night, I'm not going to give in without a bloody fight.
Hoping all the time the good Lord up above would hear my cries, before everything withers up and dies.

DA Treloar, Wiawera Station, Olary

Red Dog works

Grace studio today: off to a new home with thanks: ‘Provision From Above’ #contemporaryaustraliannart#contemporarypainting#pastelpainting#pastelart#contemporaryadelaidepainting#fruitpainting#fruitart#contemporarypainting

Off to a new home#contemporarypainting#contemporaryaustralianpainting#natureart#naturepainting#birdart#birdpainting#adelaidecontemporarypainting

Sold with thanks#australiancontemporaryart#australiancontemporarypainting#natureart#animalart#adelaidepainting#adelaidecontemporarypainting#birdpainting

Grace Studio Today: Pickett fence series continued with Spine Bill Honeyeaters making an appearance within the grevilleas#contemporarypainting#naturepainting#australiancontemporarypainting#birdart#animalpainting

GRACE STUDIO today: pondering colours for the ‘within the picket fence’ series#contemporaryaustralianart#contemporaryaustralianpainting#animalpainting#gardenart#gardenpainting#adelaidehillsartstudio#adelaidehillspainting

Grace Studio Today: Commission complete thanks Beverley#animalart#animalpainting#contemporarypainting#homestudioart#adelaidehillspainting#australiancontemporarypainting#contemporarypainting#southaustraliancontemporarypainting#australianpainting

Jacqui’s Studio Today: sorry to see my ‘Dog with Maggie’s’ go to a new home. Thank you Sally

Jacqui-grace-art.squarespace.com#contemporaryart#contemporarypainting#themaingalleryau#gardenpainting#contemporarydrawing#adelaideart#adelaidepainting#contemporaryaustralianpainting#australianart#animalpainting#gardenpainting#naturepainting

How does one visually express a very personal and precious ‘HOME’ space? All are welcome to come this Saturday at 2 pm and hear some insights into what my dwelling place has meant to me. 2 pm Saturday 29 th August: @themaingallery.au 156 Halifax St Adelaide.SA

Sneak Peek detail no. 4. Joint exhibition ‘HOME’ with Jacqui Grace, Brenton Hill and Libby Bennett @ The Main Gallery, 156 Halifax St, Adelaide. 8th July - 29 th July 2023 Wednesday - Friday 12-5pm Saturday 1-5pm Art walk talks: Libby Bennett - Sat 15 th July Brenton Hill - Sat 22nd July Jacqui Grace 29 th July Come and enjoy#weaveart#fabricart#contemporaryart#contemporarystilllifepainting#contemporaryhomedecor#contemporarypaintingdaily#contemporary-artist#contemporarysculpture#contemporarypastelartists#adelaideartist#adelaidehillspainting#themaingalleryau@themaingallery