Gray Street Workshop, 10 Sydney Place Adelaide, 82232966

http://www.graystreetworkshop.com.au/

2^nd to 31st Dec 2011
open hrs Fri – Sat. 11am-5.30pm
Sun 11am – 4pm, or by appointment

Gray Street Workshop will be no stranger to Adelaide jewellery aficionados, but if by chance you have managed not to visit this collectively run studio and new gallery space well then get yourself down there pronto, before everything gets sold to other shoppers.

This is your chance to buy a special Christmas present or a wonderful treat for yourself, and when you walk into the retail space you will be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of jewellery that can be fitted into a small space- 154 pieces to be exact!

Then, of course, there is the choice; do you buy one, two or more of the rings to which this exhibition is predominately dedicated, or do you go with the delightfully coloured retro and sentimental neckpieces by Lisa Furnok or one of Jane Barwicks beautifully finished bangles?

The wide range of materials used is very typical of contemporary jewellery artists but, possibly surprising to the passer-by, where else can you pick up and then purchase a carved detailed ring which appears to be finest porcelain but in reality is weathered sheep bone? Those familiar with Catherine Truman’s work will not be surprised, just overjoyed to be able to add to their collections for the very small price of $134. Then there are Sarah Rothe’s signature refractive metal rings (titanium & niobium to the uninitiated), rings that genuinely are porcelain and many more treats for the eye, mind and finger.

With the majority of prices being well under $200 there is much to delight every purse and without the hoopla of shopping in the mall, so no excuses, get there.

Christine Pyman, Visual Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide

Espionage Gallery, Suite 1, level 2, 93 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, 0427373301

http://www.espionage-gallery.com/

Julia Blanka Lesniewski

Hidden alongside a building allotment, the sense of adventure in finding this gallery adds to the sense of wonder at the works when you do arrive there.

In this exhibition of lovely, lined works, Lesniewski develops and shares with us, the audience, her gently (and some not so gently) humorous bird brains. With a great design sense as their underpinning and a sure hand in the line work, these drawings have a wondrous childlike quality that transport to a place of “time out”, which is something we can all do with.

The drawings have been presented as limited edition giclée prints and, as a complete surprise, on wooden stools, wonderful for the child of any age, or just the decorator with an eye for the funky.

Allow yourself some time out as you ponder “confused”, “words cannot describe my love for dill pickles”, “my dad is a unicorn” and other delights.

Christine Pyman, Visual Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide
 

Art Images Gallery, 32 The Parade, Norwood, 83630806
http://www.artimagesgallery.com.au/

25 Nov- 25 Dec
Mon to Fri 9am to 5:30pm, Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 2-5pm, free entry

This is a fun, multi-artist Christmas exhibition that is now Art Images Gallery’s Christmas tradition.

Art Images, which is celebrating it’s 22^nd birthday this year, has bought together a diverse range of artists to exhibit works that will satisfy the needs of most Christmas gift buyers or the person looking to give a special present to themselves.

There are so many things to look at and but that I’m not even going to try to describe the works, so just go in and see for yourself. I think I can promise that you won’t be disappointed!

Christine Pyman, Visual Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide

Hill Smith Gallery, 113 Pirie Street, Adelaide, 8223 6558
http://www.hillsmithgallery.com.au/

25^th Nov- 11^th Dec
Mon to Fri 10am to 5pm, Sun 2-5pm, free entry

This exhibition of Trebilcock’s new works will not disappoint existing fans of his works.

These predominantly large, jewel-like still life oils have a vibrancy which ensures their continued collection. The lush impasto adds to the luminosity, sharing with us the artist’s view and giving new impact to the beauty of everyday fruits and flowers.

With these pieces Trebilcock is starting to incorporate a more designed aspect, giving an effect reminiscent of Dorrit Black’s design work of the 1920s. This pleasing compositional technique is a departure from the more ‘natural’ compositions of his latter pieces and I’m sure will ensure even more collectors for this artist.

Christine Pyman, Visual Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide

The Art Gallery of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide
http://www.artgallery.sa.gov.au/

18^th November 2011 – 29^th January 2012
Mon to Sun, 10am to 5pm, free entry
Guided tours Weds, Thurs, Sat, Sun and public holidays at 12 noon.
Floor talks: Tues 29^th Nov 12.30pm, Tues 6^th Dec 12.30pm and Tues 24^th Jan 12.30pm

Imagine yourself in the hush of an Indonesian temple as you gaze in awe at spotlighted treasures against a gently rich background. Breathe in the intricacies of spirit and art, intertwined inextricably, and immerse yourself in the ancient cultures of Southeast Asia. It’s hard to believe that you are still in the heart of Adelaide and, in fact, in our very own Art Gallery, which is showing its own collection of masterpieces of Southeast Asian Art.

This collection was started 40 years ago, with a great many of the pieces being donated by the current Art Gallery of South Australia Chairman, Michael Abbott, AO, QC, and is the first time that they have been exhibited, so do not miss this opportunity.

It is easy to feel yourself transported both in distance and time as you wander around this wondrous exhibition. Feast your eyes on richly fascinating textiles, carved wooden temple doors, gold and metal smithed masterpieces, to the sublime simplicity of 10^th century ceramics which would not be out of place in today’s design world.

James Bennett has surpassed himself as the curator of the exhibition and author of the accompanying book, which depicts all of the exhibits, over 120 of them, with full details, which provides a lasting reminder of these treasures and is sure to become a resource in its own right should you wish to purchase a copy.

To compliment the exhibition, and to bring the viewer back into the 21^st century, there is an exhibition of Eko Nugroho’s (b 1977) work. This is urban Indonesian street culture with a vengeance. These bold, in your face works have no apparent subtlety until you look closer and realise that they are created by embroidery, a very traditional technique usually associated with feminine gentleness but, in this case, used to thrust a message of discontent and dissolution of a generation. The strange gentleness within the eyes peering through masks forms a message that cannot fail to touch the viewer with co-existent sadness at the cultural homogenisation.

Christine Pyman, Visual Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide

Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre and AVCon
Reviewed Tuesday 13^th September 2011

http://www.ozasiafestival.com.au/AVCon-@-OzAsia.aspx?showid=106

Venue: Various Areas, Adelaide Festival Centre, King William Road, Adelaide
Season: Ended
Duration: All day

A mini AVCon, Anime and Video games Convention, was arranged as a part of the OzAsia Festival this year. With the focus on Japan this year, it fitted into that theme nicely. Japanese anime films have a big following in Adelaide and there would not be many family homes in Adelaide without some sort of video gaming console or computer with games loaded. This was a day out for all the family.

On the games front, it was intriguing to find that Pac Man is still popular after all these years, in a multi-player form, along with other platform games. There were also the expected fighting games, racing games, and more, with Mario Cart drawing numerous players.

Anime films were also being shown and enthusiasts turned up in costume, covering a huge range of styles from heavily armed and armoured, through some bizarre non-human or semi-human characters, to flouncy, petticoated skirts and lace. There was judging of the costumes in a competition during the day.

There were merchandise stalls on hand, too, where one could buy anything from a weapon, to a new costume, to jewellery, to games and gaming systems, or even high quality art from local fantasy artist, Emerson Ward, whose work ranges from large works on canvas, to small items such as postcards and bookmarks.

All in all, it was a day most young people would have enjoyed since there are few who do not play video games and many who love anime. Visitors were given that chance to sit down and play games, there was 'real' mahjong, origami tuition, and more, including things to occupy small children.

Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Arts Editor, Glam Adelaide.

Art Images Gallery, 32 The Parade, Norwood
Contact: 8363 0806
5^th – 28^th August 2011
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am- 5.30pm, Sat: 10am- 5pm, Sun:2pm- 5pm

http://salafestival.com/Details.aspx?showid=507
http://www.artimagesgallery.com.au

If you only see one exhibition for SALA this should be it.

Four decades of work from this seminal Adelaide artist, Ann Newmarch, in one gallery space is absolutely mind blowing and will change the way you look at local living artists forever. Newmarch’s work has changed local and international society with her intensely personal as political viewpoints, and is the leading light in Australian art in this genre. She is the only living artist to be honoured with a retrospective exhibition at The Art Gallery of South Australia, and is the only South Australian artist whose work is in the permanent collection at the Museaum of Modern Art.

The works speak to all with their subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, interweaving of cultural patterns, domestic (in every sense of the word) activity and wartime upheaval, made into deceptively decorative statements of the artist’s view of the world. Newmarch makes intensely personal statements that are relevant to all, influencing generations of Australians with her work and her teaching, and this exhibition shows the continuing exploration of her and our worlds, with the emphasis on exploration of everyone’s realities and their sometimes collision of priorities.

Viewing this show is an act of viewing and validating our recent history and, as such, I urge you to do so.

Adelaide, you should be proud to call Ann Newmarch your own.

Reviewed by Christine Pyman, Visual Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide.

Upstairs, Adelaide Arcade, Rundle Mall, Adelaide
Contact: 0437 164 339
5^th to 21^st August 2011
Opening Hours: Wed, Thurs, Sat 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-5pm

http://salafestival.com/Details.aspx?showid=584

This excellent and extensive display of work by Leith Semmons deserves to be shown in a bigger and better space but, for SALA, we should be thankful that artists are showing work all over the city.

Semmons goes beyond the illustrative qualities normally associated with his chosen media and succeeds in drawing (pun intended) the viewer into his world with varying depths of line delineating textures and forms, in an intriguing way. The larger paintings show images almost abstracted in their close-up intensity, and succeeds in making the viewer question the accepted knowledge of shapes and forms that make up our surroundings. When apparently simple images have the ability to bring into dispute the nature of the reality of their subject, by concentrating on a depth of perception, you know that you are experiencing the work of a master.

Reviewed by Christine Pyman, Visual Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide.

Art Gallery of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide
30^th July- 20^th October 2011
Guided tours daily at 11am & 2pm

http://www.artgallery.sa.gov.au

Have you ever wanted to see Tracey Emin’s “ My Bed” ? Well here is your chance.

This controversial and iconic work has, along with many other works, made it to Adelaide, which is a cause for much rejoicing in the local art world.

This exhibition is from the Saatchi Gallery in London and thanks to a felicitous meeting involving our premier and Charles Saatchi, it is now showing exclusively here in our very own Art Gallery of South Australia, and all I can say, with a big grin, is wow.

The show highlights the influence that young British artists have had on the entire British cultural landscape.

The exhibition takes over approximately 80% of the gallery, so visitors need to allocate an afternoon to really see and experience the works, and what an experience this is! My favorites were Karla Black’s cellophane and cosmetic assemblages, large pieces that took up an entire room and transformed the space into one of sadness, memories and dreams, and of course, that bed. I never had expected to see this infamous piece in the sheets, so to speak, and I was in absolute awe, as were most of the viewers. People were gathered hesitantly but eagerly around the bed which had the feel of a pilgrimage to a shrine, which in fact it was, a shrine to the creative genius of contemporary British art.

To make the most of this coup the Art Gallery has planned an entire event including talks, live music, forums, visual arts programs for children and all those that enjoy playing with art materials, a curating masterclass and the Britfilm program.

Get along to the Art Gallery and make sure you don’t miss out on this important historic event.

Reviewed by Christine Pyman, Performing Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide.

Red Poles Gallery, McMurtie Road, MacLaren Vale
Contact 08 8323 8994
23^rd July – 4^th Sept 2011

Opening times: Wed to Sun, 9am to 5pm

http://salafestival.com/Details.aspx?showid=217
http://www.redpoles.com.au

If you fancy a drive to MacLaren Vale, why not drop into Red Poles for the bird exhibition?

There is a great range of works in different media, from jewellery to painting, printmaking, sculpture and ceramics, by a group of artists.

With 33 artist’s in this exhibition the works are too numerous to mention here, and I don’t want to spoil the surprise of you seeing this for yourself, but I will tempt your viewing palate with just a taste

Fran Callen’s speedily and sensitively drawn birds show an understanding of line and form that is exceptional and, if that is not enough, are gently infused with humour. The accuracy of character of the birds shows what a great artist can really achieve with vision and skill and will be an eye opener for the viewer that has not yet experienced her work.

The appropriately named Luna Bird has made bowlegged anthropomorphic sculptures from polymer clay, with an enticing tactile finish which would brighten up anyone’s day, and Dana Kinter’s chook paintings, with their delicate pencil threads with colour spots on wallpaper edged canvas, bring the chook yard into your home.

Kristy McChonchie’s beautifully made jewellery was a pleasure to behold and would be a pleasure to wear, with well-balanced elements and a very good finish.

All in all, this is a well balanced exhibition in good surroundings, well worth the trip and with the added bonus of the café restaurant onsite to encourage you to linger even longer.

Reviewed by Christine Pyman, Visual Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide.