Current Exhibition - "Holga: Shoot First Ask Questions Later" by Mel Bligh, 24th Feb to 7th March 2010

Above: Mel Bligh at the opening of her exhibition

Toy Camera Photography by Mel Bligh:
My first Holga toy camera came into my life one fateful day in 2005. I was intrigued not only by the plastic lens but the fact I’d heard it was unashamedly the worst camera ever made. A perfect combination of my favourite things, toys and photography, from the outset I adored the randomness of each captured image.

All the flaws despised by digital cameras, the Holga embraces. Various light leaks, vignetting and a real ‘Box Brownie’ feel means every roll is a complete surprise, as is photography using such a temperamental camera. He either decides to work or calls in sick. We fight, we make up and we travel together capturing things that excite us…. Neon signs, roadside motels, abandoned places and island tikis.

Cross processing 120mm slide film allows me to produce over saturated colours and surreal skies. Fiery passionate reds, sickening yellows, deep melancholic blues.
In 5 years we’ve journeyed far but always forgive each other our little quirks & mistakes. Fast paced driving to dusty towns or sleep inducing plane trips over miles of endless sea my Holga adventures are just beginning.

Current Exhibition: "Entwined" 10th - 21st February

Kate Williams

Sue Roberts

Ingrid van der Aa

Kate Williams, Ingrid van der Aa and Sue Roberts present an exhibition of their recent work at Breathing Colours Gallery.

Ingrid Van der Aa’s latest work consists of paintings influenced by her time living on the NSW Central Coast, where she was inspired by the beauty of the native palm trees and the Australian bush. Originally from the Netherlands, Australian nature in relation to European nature is what fascinates Van der Aa. The questions where do I belong, where are my roots and can I make new roots are all parallel to the theme of the trees. Essential to this work is the material used and the gestural way the theme is explored.

Kate Williams begins her work by laying down a ground of ink, bleach and water in random fashion. These underlying marks are unstructured, uncontrolled by the artist. However the subsequent markings are deliberate: an airbrush is used to move fine lines of ink around the work – intricate webs of drawing that interact with the “natural” beneath. But although these man-made marks strive for control, they, too, often take unexpected turns. Kate’s explorations are always focused on the material aspect of painting in revealing that the surface is of utmost importance to the final work.

Sue Roberts sculptures are based on the skeletal form. She finds inspiration in the underlying simple geometry of an object, the internal composition and structure. Beginning from the core of the subject, all else radiates out into the finished form. Based on drawings in clay and line, initial explorations and reference materials eventually transform into the final works. Dealing with the theme of entrapment, Sue seeks to describe her surroundings with the idea that everything around us is encompassed or contained by something else and we need to peel back the layers to reveal the true identity of the subject.

Welcome back Breathing Colourers!

After a lovely Christmas and New Years break, Breathing Colours Gallery is back and well into the swing of things for 2010!
This years calendar is already filling up with many exciting and colourful exhibitions.
A new decade brings a new year and with the new year brings new artists, new work and plenty of surprises so stay tuned for all the latest that Breathing Colours has in store for 2010!

Chaos was our first exhibition to open the new year, and what an exhibition it was!
Works featured Makers Manifold and special guests - Loren Keir, Mirna Harri, Rosary Coloma, Sheree Lee, Chloe Waddell, Jessica Page, Jemma Bree Dickson, Natalie Sharpe and Amber Reid.
Makers Manifold is a Sydney based collective formed in 2005. They have exhibited together a number of times throughout the last five years. At each new exhibition they invite a few extra special guests to exhibit as part of the group which means the dynamics are always changing. The seven founding members studied jewellery and object design at Sydney College of the Arts and have gone on to explore varied career paths.