As i am getting ready to post out free small collages to those who are subscribed to this site and email me their snail mail address, i reflect on beginnings.
The Director of the Devonport Regional Gallery,Geoff Dobson, in 2018 opened my solo exhibition of Collage held at the Little Gallery Devonport Regional Gallery.
I was so appreciative of Geoff's perspective which gave me such a boost in this artform i so love doing.
His talk follows : (and link to a few exhibition images by clicking the image below)
Solo Exhibition
Little Gallery Devonport Regional Gallery
Geoff Dobson - Director
There is no abstract art.
Prior to introducing the Gallery’s Curator, Erin Wilson, who will open There is no abstract art, it is my pleasure to officially open Down the Rabbit Hole, with Scissors. Our Little Gallery exhibition – opening this evening.
I first met Gina several years ago, as part of the Kentish Arts Festival. I was judging a sculpture prize, when I came across this fantastic assemblage of found bits and pieces, sensitively arranged in a small boat, a vessel. Every piece Gina had chosen to add to that sculpture was specific, and added to the overall story stemming from the piece itself. The viewer could spend time with it, and create their own story of what this vessel was, and where it was going. And why was this creature there, and that stack there, and wait, there is port hole, oh, and what is underneath…. It is the same feelings of intrigue I get when I view Gina’s collage today.
When I visited Gina’s studio, at portside gallery, a month or so ago, I saw that sculpture again. And its fanciful magic captured my attention/imagination once again.
Gina has a strength in composition and capacity to provide the viewer with enough, without the fear of the work being overbearing. Gina talks about making a collage a day, 200 collages a year. Making while on holiday, making while at home. Taking pieces and items of the mundane, of the disposal collateral that clogs our letter boxes, and continually makes uninterrupted. When Erin and I visited her wonderful studio, I think we were both overwhelmed by the mass of work. It was extensive. Yet, in the space, here in the Little Gallery, Gina has again, been selective, provided enough, not to overload, but to entice the viewer in to spending time with the works, both as unique individual works, and as a mass which is work in itself. As mention, her strength is her ability to be selective, both in the assemblage of her collage, and execution of her presentation.
To look at Gina’s work, is not something you can rush, because your eye will be captivated by images relevant to you. Images you know, but are somehow different. Somehow not the same. But somehow work. I hasten to use the art wank word – recontextualize, but that is exactly what Gina has done, and Down the Rabbit Hole with Scissors is distinctly appropriate, as the title. I trust you will all have as much enjoyment with the show as I do. I congratulate Gina and declare her Little Gallery exhibition – open.
more collage on the site under label here.