Geometry & Precision
Posted: 28 Jan 2012
Australian Galleries presents Geometry & Precision, an exhibition of two graduate printmakers, recipients of the 2010 Australian Galleries National Art School Award. Each of the artists studied print media whilst completing their degrees and have emerged as artists with divergent yet harmonious practices.
Hashim’s geometric forms are borrowed from an Islamic visual language, specifically architecture. Within each work he may liberally reference elements of multiple design paradigms and humbly admit which of the Moorish, Arabesque or Mughal designs he follows. His compositions are geometrically perfect and harmoniously integrate simple shapes and negative space to mesmerise viewers. While they could be misunderstood as elaborate wallpaper printed by an offset process, they are in fact relief prints, each square a wooden block which is uniquely hand carved. Remarking about their size the artist explains: “[t]he scale of my prints - always large, is used to envelop the viewer as though they were facing an actual inlaid or tiled wall”.
Angus’ works follow the tradition of drawn and printed zoological studies, focusing on Australian birds and marine life. He works directly from life and precisely captures a sense of this in his work. Each of his studies is a meditation on ecology and the natural world’s fragility. Through their association with documenting nature, they evoke imagery of past ages of discovery and mystery. His birds, fish and crustaceans are both pleasing to look at and inspire us to better understand our coexistence with their delicate presence.
Opening: Thursday 19 January 2012 6pm to 8pm
To be opened at 7pm by Simon Cooper, Head of Academic Studies, National Art School
Where: Australian Galleries, 24 Glenmore Road Paddington NSW 2021
Hours: Open 7 days 10am to 6pm
Exhibition runs 19 January - 12 February 2012
Image: Hashim Ali, Fifth Clime, 2010, cyanotype on paper edition unique, 50 x 131 cm
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