VISIONS OF NIGHT: JOHN OPIE

10 July - 3 Aug

Closing at 3 pm on Aug 3rd

https://ladderartspace.com.au/exhibitions/visions-of-night-john-opie/

This exhibition of paintings was inspired by the hours between sunset and sunrise. The ambiguous nature of the imagery may vary depending on the time of night, the activities being engaged in, the state of mind of the individual and the attitude toward the night itself.

The 1970’s Rod Serling anthology program ‘Night Gallery’, was a particular inspiration. This program’s initial concept was to create stories that parallel various negative human behaviors and impulses with darkness and the night.

Some painting influences for this exhibition include James Whistler’s ‘Nocturne’, Edward Hopper’s ‘Night Hawks’, Rembrandt’s and William Turner’s paintings in general and the contemporary paintings of Ian Francis. The nostalgic paintings by Norman Rockwell and Haddon Sundblom were also an influence.

Cinema and specific film makers have been an influence, including Steven Spielberg’s ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, Martin Scorsese’s ‘Taxi Driver’ and Ari Aster’s ‘Hereditary’. These filmmakers have used the night in various ways, at times creating a sense of wonder & hope, at other times danger, cynicism and fear.

As it turns out, my experience of ‘night’ has been predominantly positive. It makes for an exhibition that primarily expresses a yearning for connection, love and a sense of hope.

SUBJECTIVE LENSES: NIKKI FALKLAND-BROWN

11 July - 2 Aug

https://ladderartspace.com.au/exhibitions/subjective-lenses-nikki-falkland-brown/

“Subjective Lenses,” explores the tangled emotions of anxiety, depression, and the journey towards healing. Through drawing, painting, collage, stitching, and a vibrant explosion of colours, I explore these themes in a way that’s deeply personal and healing for me.

My creative process is like a sanctuary where I can confront my inner struggles head-on. I mold abstract worlds filled with shapes that resemble bacteria, diseases, and tiny organisms, all born from my imagination. These creations, while visually captivating, symbolize the invisible battles we face within ourselves.

Despite the heavy subject matter, my works carry a sense of playfulness and humor. They invite viewers to delve into their own emotions with a light heart, sparking moments of insight and reflection. In the midst of darkness, there’s always room for laughter and joy.

I love using unconventional materials like old paper bags and boxes in my art. It’s a way of finding beauty in the discarded, echoing my own journey of self-discovery and growth. Like these forgotten objects, I often feel like I’m overlooked or dismissed. But through my art, I strive to find moments of peace and acceptance within myself.

“Subjective Lenses” is more than just a collection of artworks—it’s a testament to

resilience and the human spirit. Each piece tells a story of struggle and triumph, inviting viewers to see the world through their own subjective lenses and discover the beauty in their own journey.

A CONVERSATION WITH PAINTING’S HISTORY: NICK BERRY

10 July - 3 Aug

Closing at 3 pm on Aug 3rd

https://ladderartspace.com.au/exhibitions/a-conversation-with-paintings-history-nick-berry/

These series of paintings presented here relate to these continuing themes, and reflect a continuing development of my creative act and continuing exploration of paintings about painting. The show explores ideas of gesture, colour, and object intending to challenge viewers’ ideas of traditional painting practices. In using methods of display to explore ideas about the art object, relationships to art history and conventions within painting by exploring a variety of hanging options such as hanging paintings on their side or upside down, materials, and modes of display, of which are to my conversions which seek to challenge traditional conventions of hanging and installation.