Local artist/photographer, Gareth Gorman opens his first solo exhibition of paintings and photos at the UWA University Club, Hackett Drive, Crawley at 6pm, September 1.
Gorman, who is currently studying Fine Art and History at UWA has participated in group exhibitions before, but this will be his first as a Solo Artist. Gorman explain his reasons for going solo: "I've exhibited paintings in many exhibitions before but I've been limited to one or two pieces and, sometimes, I feel restricted by the themes of the competitions. I like to paint what I like, not what should be painted to win a competition. I can also include my favourite works so others can, hopefully, enjoy them as much as I."
Many artists find the prospect of a solo exhibition both a daunting and exciting experience -- Gorman is no different: "I was worried I wouldn't have enough to offer. Now I think I have too much."
Gorman's exhibition explores themes close to his heart: colour, coast, water and sky. Living close to the ocean and river, he draws inspiration from the environment and the creatures (human and otherwise) that inhabit it. "We live so near the coast and river I'm spoiled for choice. I also travel a fair bit soI now take my trusty Canon with me everywhere. I tend to include people in my paintings, there must be a human or fauna element to give some movement and scale to the scene. Still lifes were never my thing," Gorman adds.
Gorman's other love is portraiture - this exhibition will feature some of his special fine art portrait paintings and photographs. Says Gorman: "The human body is a wonderful thing and if I can capture a reasonable likeness, then it gives me a great sense of satisfaction and achievement." "Initially I took poor photos as references for my painting ( I could always alter and improve things on the canvas ). The purchase of a digital SLR improved the quality of my photographs so that my interest has now swung toward photography. I have also found that I'm looking for the abstract in subjects now, whereas before I'd simply look for a good subject to paint. Colour and form have always been important to me and I try to incorporate both elements into my work. As I live near the river and ocean on the western side of the continent I have a constant source of subject matter."
Gorman's love of the beach and coastal scenes will be evident in the paintings on exhibition. His photographs will cover a gamut of subjects: flowers, people, vistas, birds, cloudscapes, sunsets or sunrises. Why art and photography? "There's so much this world has to offer," says Gorman, "and I'm thankfull my art training has allowed me to actually SEE it. Which is something I tried to instill in my pupils... see what you are looking at. Of course, unless you know what to look for you're going to see nothing and miss this wonderful world.
"Photography has come a long way since the camera was first used and I am of the opinion that fine art includes photographic work. As I used photographs ( poorly taken for the best part ) as references for my paintings I thought it appropriate to have a mixed exhibition. My photography seems to have improved since November, when I was given a digital SLR. I've also included some abstact, digitally enhanced images to balance the content."
All of Gorman's work in the exhibition will be for sale, apart from a few portraits on loan.
- Where: UWA University Club, Hackett Drive, Crawley
- When: Sept 1 - Sept 29, 2006
This was an inaugural win for Cantwell, 31, who has been a keen photographer for a few years. Usually a photographer of landscapes, Cantwell decided to branch out into a more 'impressionistic' style of photography when he was given an old 300mm lens by a good friend.
