Transitions on display

Ballan Arts Space is the venue in October for local artists Paul Anthony and Lawrence Winder’s exhibition, ‘Transitions’.

Both will be showing works in both figurative and abstract styles.

Paul’s abstract paintings were inspired by blurred photos captured during train travel, where the images took on a life of their own and were built up in layers of paint, expressing the luminous light seen against dark fleeting backgrounds. Although the works are open to the viewer’s interpretation, hope in dark times may be one allusion as they were painted during and after the COVID lockdowns. There is also the evident influence of Mark Rothko’s paintings following a visit to London’s Tate Gallery.

The Misty paintings of the Irish Skellig Islands and the colours and textures derived from Direl in the Victorian Mallee (Lake Tyrrell) all show a distinct change of mood.

Lawrence’s figurative sculptures range from 1/3 life to full size. An engaging presence and inhabiting their space are key for these works and the ancient Egyptian phrase, “…he who keeps alive” meaning, sculptor, should provide a resonance.

All are from clay models and cast in resin then given a bronze or rusted iron patina.

Similar treatments are used in the non-figurative pieces which show influences of the “Constructivist” sculptors of the “Dada” period in their variety and playful juxtaposition of materials and also the transition from one medium to another.

Both artists have regularly exhibited in group shows in Ballan and had solo shows at other venues and galleries but this, their first show together of some 40 works, is their first extended body of work showing in Ballan.

The Transitions exhibition is open at the Ballan Arts Space at 117B Inglis St. Ballan from October 20 to 29 Friday, Saturday and Sundays only, from 10am to 3pm.