Artist’s Statement
“In 2003, whilst filling in some time at an exhibition, I did a drawing with my left hand, this resulted in my never doing a right handed drawing again. Drawing with my left hand frees my being to draw spontaeneously and instinctively and without attachment to the result. I felt a connection with the work that I had never experienced and a freedom to express that I never wanted to be without. Since then I have had a number of one man shows and have been hung in the Salon de Refuse with my portrait of Martin Sharp. I was a finalist in the Black Swan portraiture competition in Perth in 2008 with a painting of Warren Anderson and have completed many commissions and portraits ranging from lawyers to their cats.
My interest is in the soul and my subjects are always engaging the viewer with their eyes … the window to the soul. I call my work “drawn paintings” and my style is characterised by gessoed backgrounds and quirky positioning that allows for large areas of negative space. When I create my mind is filled with thoughts and realisations and I will always title the piece with one of these. I paint every day and I am literally drawn to the canvas always seeking that revelation as I begin the process of creating a new work. I hope you enjoy what I do as much as I enjoy creating them.” – Vayu
EXHIBITIONS
2004 Vayu started working exclusively with his left hand
2004 Solo drawing show Michael Commerford Gallery
2006 Solo drawing show Michael Commerford Gallery
2006 Finalist Robert Jacks Drawing Competition
2007 Solo painting and drawing show Michael Commerford Gallery
2008 Selected for the Salon de Refuse for his portrait of Martin Sharp
2008 Finalist Black Swan portraiture prize in Perth for his portrait of Warren Anderson
2008 Exhibition Michael Commerford Gallery
2009 Exhibition Milk Factory Gallery Bowral
2009 Exhibition Linton and Kay Gallery Perth WA
2010 Exhibition Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery Seaforth NSW
2011 Exhibition Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery Seaforth NSW