A fascination with birds has produced unique artworks that will be exhibited at the Redland Art Gallery, Capalaba from Monday 12 May.
The Bird People is an exhibition of paintings by regional Queensland artist Samuel Blanch on display until Saturday 12 July.
Redland City Council art, culture and innovation spokesman Cr Paul Bishop said Blanch’s work showcased a unique take on our feathered friends.
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“The Redlands are home to a variety of bird-life so I’m sure many locals and visitors to the area will be interested in this exhibition and the way it portrays the relationship with nature,” he said.
“Influenced by a fascination with birds, Blanch expressively uses bold colours with simple images emerging, leaving a sense of his experience and the comfortable feelings in the presence of the works.”
Blanch said the exhibition brings the imaginary birds to life through unique imagery captured on canvas.
“Birds have always fascinated me and I like the way they sound. Capturing this on canvas is not easy to do. I enjoy the happy mistake of spontaneity,” Blanch said.
“When I paint it is the mood, full immersion in the blank space of the surface of the canvas – the brush has a life of its own, it gives me life, more so space and stimulation.
“Acrylics go well with water, they run, they wash. I begin each piece with willow charcoal stick – soft scraping onto the cotton duck. The end results are indeterminate, but it pleases me that the process gels, with the synthetic image coming to life.
“Through this leap, and the drain, and the exhilaration of unknown space – simple images emerge leaving a sense of the residues of my experience.”
The Bird People is displayed simultaneously with Bimblebox: art – science – nature at Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland which also focuses on the habitat of regional Queensland.
Exhibition details
TITLE OF EXHIBITION: The Bird People
Samuel Blanch
WHERE: Redland Art Gallery, Capalaba
WHEN: Monday 12 May – Saturday 12 July 2014
