The works of both women bring to mind the sensuality and mystique of the 1920s art deco period. From the romance of a smoky jazz club to the indulgence of an elegant sitting room this exhibition transports the viewer to another time and a transcendent aesthetic.… Continue reading
Continue readingIntroducing the vibrant and delicate works of Catherine Abel and Liz McKay exhibiting from the 19th of June – 2nd of July 2009. The works of both women bring to mind the sensuality and mystique of the 1920s art deco period. From the romance of a smoky jazz club to the indulgence of an elegant sitting room this exhibition transports the viewer to another time and a transcendent aesthetic.
Australian artist, Catherine Abel is renowned internationally for her striking figurative oil paintings. Combining the sleek, stylised geometry of the Art Deco period with the clarity, richness of colour, and depth of light of the Italian Renaissance Masters, her works are powerfully seductive compositions of beauty, elegance, strength and grace.
Self-taught, Abel began painting professionally after moving to Paris in 2000. Influenced greatly by European art and history, she immersed herself in her painting, rapidly building her reputation as a fine art painter. She has exhibited in Australia, France and the USA and is a sought-after portraitist.
On returning to Australia, Abel has continued to exhibit and sell both locally and internationally. She has been a finalist in the Archibald, Sulman and Portia Geach Portrait Prizes and her works are featured in private collections worldwide.
These days you’ll find Catherine in her light filled studio in the cool climate of the Central Highlands of Victoria. Nestled in a village steeped in the history of the gold-rush era, this inspirational part of the world combines the romance of old with a contemporary energy, much like Abel’s work itself.
BORN Australia
STUDIES
2001 Maya 3.0 Animation Course, KvB Institute / Bond University, NSW
2000-01 3d Studio Max, Computer Graphics College , NSW
2000 Traditional Animation Course, Computer Graphics College, NSW
1997 Cinematography and Editing Units, Murdoch University, WA
1992-95 Bachelor of Arts Design (Hons), Curtin University, WA
Background
McKay’s vibrant works draw their essence from smoky bars, sultry jazz singers, romantic couples, European cafes and childhood memories. “The figures in my works convey intriguing expressions and the interaction between the painted figures invite the viewer to explore the unwritten thoughts and feelings between them.”
Sensually curved figures and intimate surroundings, Liz McKay’s work has the ever slight hint of 1920’s architecture, curves and textures are overlaid with compelling explorations of mood and human interaction. Intensely expressive in color and form, Liz McKay’s paintings are a quiet emotional universe of love and friendship.
Liz McKay is an Australian artist whose art has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Her work is included in a number of private and public collections in Australia and overseas.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2009
Lovestory, Strickland Gallery, TAS, Australia
2008
Two Hearts, Elements Art Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia
Romantic Heart, Momentous Arts Gallery, Singapore
Vintage Heart, Soho Galleries, Sydney,NSW, Australia
Hopelessly Romantic, Articles Fine Art Gallery, Stanwell Park,NSW, Australia
2007
Summer Happiness, Strickland Gallery, Hobart, TAS, Australia
Red Wine and Jazz, Soho Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Happy Memories, Articles Fine Art Gallery, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Love! Art Images Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia
2006
Salamanca Jazz, Strickland Gallery, Hobart, TAS, Australia
Amore, Soho Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia
April Show, Manyung Gallery, Mt Eliza, VIC, Australia
Happiness, Articles Gallery Woollongong, NSW, Australia
Amore Love, South Yarra Art House, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Summer, Wayward Gallery, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
2005
J’adore, Manyung Gallery, Mt Eliza, VIC, Australia
Cinematic, Soho Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia
L’amour, Gig Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Smitten, Gig Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia
2004
Night, Kings Perth Hotel, Perth, WA, Australia
All Dat Jazz, Gig Gallery, Sydney, NSA, Australia
Friends, Devonshire Gallery Cafe, Sydney NSW, Australia
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2009
Summer Show, Yallingup Galleries, WA, Australia
2008
Art Melbourne 08, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Femme Fatale, Delshan Gallery, Melbourne, , Australia
Small Works Big Money, David Hart Galleries, Mooloolabar, Queensland, Australia
2007
Art Sydney 07, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Balmain Art Show, Sydney NSW, Australia
Charity Exhibition, Saddlers Court Gallery, Richmond, Tasmania, Australia
Group Exhibition, Momentous Arts, Singapore
Art Melbourne 07, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Untitled, Elements Arrt Gallery & Goldfields Art Centre, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia
After These Messages We’ll Be Right Back, Gallery Nucleus, CA, USA
2006
Ten, Elements Art Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia
Balmain Art Show, Balmain Sydney, NSW, Australia
Inaugural Art Prize Competition’ South Yarra Art House, Melbourne, VIC
Bare Elements, Elements Gallery Perth, WA, Australia
All the Best, Soho Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia
June Show, Palette Gallery, Auckland, NZ
Australian Style, Momentous Arts, 2006, Singapore
Dance Latino, June 2006, Sydney, Australia
Fashion Moments Exhibition, Bondi, NSW, Australia
Melbourne Affordable Art Show/Art Melbourne 06, Australia
Sydney Affordable Art Show/Art Sydney 06, Australia
Canterbury Art Exhibition, Victoria, Australia
Preview 2006, Art Images Gallery, Norwood/Adelaide, SA, Australia
Summer Show, Manyung Gallery, Mt Eliza, VIC, Australia
2005
Enlightened Perspectives, Agora Gallery, New York, USA
2005 Brisbane Art 05′ exhibition halls Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Sydney Affordable Art Show, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Melbourne Affordable Art Show, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Lynne Wilton Gallery Group Figurative Show July Lynne Wilton Gallery, VIC
Balmain Art Show, NSW, Australia
Riverview School Exhibition, Riverview NSW, Australia
Dance Latino Art Exhibition, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Love Live’s 05′ Global Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Group December Show, Palette Gallery, NZ
December show’ Saddler Gallery, Richmond, Hobart, TAS, Australia
Lynne Wilton February Figurative Show, Lynne Wilton Gallery, VIC, Australia
All the Best, Soho Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Sydney Painters, Art Images Gallery, SA, Australia
2004
Affordable Art Show, Sydney, NSW, Australia
City of Ryde Art Exhibition, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Cross Art Sho, Tap Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia
PUBLICATIONS AND RADIO
2007 Home Concept Magazine, Singapore “Hot Seat Section” May 2007
2006 Tasmanian Life, Autumn 2006, Cover & pages 24 & 25
Crema, Autumn 2006, Page 43
Daily telegraph news, April 20th 2006
City Weekly April 20th page 17
Australian Art Review, March-June 2006 Page 36
2005 The Advertiser Edition 1 – State SAT 17 SEP 2005, Page W15 The weekend South Australia
City Weekly Sydney Thursday 21st July 2005 Page 6
Interview Art & Design Magazine/Webesteem, Poland, Europe
Crema Magazine Winter 05 page 30
Agora Gallery Media Release, New York
Melbourne Affordable Art Show Catalogue
GRANTS AND AWARDS
1994 Received government grant to develop/produce/ exhibit art animation in foyer at Lumiere cinemas, WA
1997 2nd prize in Australia-wide ‘LOUD’ competition, in ‘Loud Bits’ section.
Harvey Galleries was founded by the Harvey family in 1994 with an eye to establish a dynamic and inclusive contemporary art space on the North Shore of Sydney. For almost three decades we have expanded our reach to over three gallery locations and an ever expanding stable of the best artists Australia has to offer.
Harvey Galleries acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands upon which our galleries stand. The Guringai people (Seaforth), the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation (Sydney), and the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation (Melbourne).
We pay our respect to Elders past and present.
Password and the invitation to view will be sent to you as soon as the exhibition preview opens.
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