Lynne Lancaster

THE GAFFA GALLERY, CLARENCE STREET SYDNEY

There are three gallery spaces at the busy , spacious Gaffa Gallery and Creative Precint and they hum with life.

The largest main gallery houses  WE AM : THE LIFE OF RILEY, an exhibition which features four artists from one nuclear family collaborating on a series of multi-modal works that celebrate their very existence as a single creative entity. The gallery contains a large interactive area where you can draw or write your response to the exhibition. There is also a large stand-up cardboard piece with a hole for your face so you can have your photo taken. The “We Am’ section is a huge applique textile that takes up most of the space on one wall.

On another wall there are photos of the Reily family busy working. In another corner there is a colourful collection of stacked plastic boxes with assorted items in them. A major feature is the short video using silhouette cut outs and shadow puppetry as an ironic comment on family life and the Australian dream.

Some of the visuals are a little  reminiscent of Hockney’s work with the swimming pool, the marble staircase… There is a tiny model house beautifully built linked to this, and it appears that the film is what is happening inside the house.

Gallery Two houses a superb exhibition by Nancy Constandelia and Grazile Guardino entitled IN-BETWEEN.

There are only a couple of large sized paintings to each wall.  They are striking abstract works, some in black and white and some In colour .The black and white paintings are textured, reflective and rippling, seemingly fragile – but are they? ! Are these paintings of trees?, columns?, Birds?

Both artists are interested in exploring the conversational space between themselves, their works and the viewer whereby feelings can be experienced and expressed in a dialogue between the artist, the work and the observer in an attempt to understand and communicate the harsh world that surrounds us.

Gallery Three houses the group show RECLUSE. Some of these images in this exhibition are disturbing. Paintings, photos and videos are included. Participants were asked to use the themes of loneliness, the landscape and isolation as inspiration for their response using Dorothy Porter’s poem Blue Mountains Recluse as their inspiration. Eighteen artists were selected.  This exhibition has an exciting mix of video with sculpture and some intriguing paintings,.

The Gaffa Gallery and Creative Precint is situated at 281 Clarence St Sydney. The current exhibitions run  at the Gaffa Gallery until June 20.

https://sydneyartsguide.com.au/the-gaffa-gallery-clarence-street-sydney/

 

Published by Lynne Lancaster

A passionate theatre person Lynne is originally from Sydney and holds a B.Ed (Art) - a postgraduate Diploma in Information Management (Librarianship) and an MA in Theatre. While living in London ( 2002 -2007 ) Lynne completed the dance criticism course at Sadlers Wells linked in with Chichester University. Lynne has worked for both Ticketek and Ticketmaster here in Australia and was involved with the original production of THE BOY FROM OZ An Ausdance member Lynne is passionate about dance and has studied ballet and Flamenco. Before moving to London she photographed the Sydney Dance Company and Australian Ballet among other companies and has exhibited internationally. Lynne is a SAMAG member and a volunteer at the Art Gallery of NSW. Currently Lynne writes for arthub, danceinforma and sydneyartsguide.