John Ancher “Insight and Sprawl”: Exhibition Highlight of the Week, as chosen by Pam Jackson, Director, Quadrant Gallery
Subversive Thoughts 2 (no 20, 2013, acrylic on paper, 70.5 x 100 cm, $ 3,250)
This painting is representative of the ‘Sprawl’ aspect of this exhibition. It clearly shows the iconic symbol of the cul-de-sac which appears in several works in this series surrounded by black geometric shapes representing the growth of suburbia. Each black symbolic ‘house’ has a brightly coloured organic shape bursting from it in different hues and directions. Does this represent the subversive element in the title, implying that no one knows what goes on behind closed doors? Or is it the nature of urban growth itself subversively obliterating the natural and colourful landscape that once was there?
The technique in the production of this work is also intriguing; loose brushstrokes and layering of a wide range of colours belies the definite and deliberate shapes that are created. There is nothing sloppy about this work yet it retains the element of spontaneity and has a definite energy and vibrancy. The blend of colours is very interesting using a mix of warm and cool colours which balances the work beautifully. The organic shapes on the essentially geometric background give the work an attractive appeal.
The exhibition is current until Saturday, 1 March 2014.
View complete exhibition online at http://www.quadrantgallery.com.au/john-ancher.html
Subversive Thoughts 2 (no 20, 2013, acrylic on paper, 70.5 x 100 cm, $ 3,250)
This painting is representative of the ‘Sprawl’ aspect of this exhibition. It clearly shows the iconic symbol of the cul-de-sac which appears in several works in this series surrounded by black geometric shapes representing the growth of suburbia. Each black symbolic ‘house’ has a brightly coloured organic shape bursting from it in different hues and directions. Does this represent the subversive element in the title, implying that no one knows what goes on behind closed doors? Or is it the nature of urban growth itself subversively obliterating the natural and colourful landscape that once was there?
The technique in the production of this work is also intriguing; loose brushstrokes and layering of a wide range of colours belies the definite and deliberate shapes that are created. There is nothing sloppy about this work yet it retains the element of spontaneity and has a definite energy and vibrancy. The blend of colours is very interesting using a mix of warm and cool colours which balances the work beautifully. The organic shapes on the essentially geometric background give the work an attractive appeal.
The exhibition is current until Saturday, 1 March 2014.
View complete exhibition online at http://www.quadrantgallery.com.au/john-ancher.html
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