Metamorphosis

11th MAY 2012:

Opening of the group exhibition

Metamorphosis

on Friday at 6pm.

Serpentine Community Gallery

presents an astounding display

of evolution, transmogrification,

pan-dimensional conversion,

dissolution and re-integration.

Metamorphosis

explores change

from one form to another,

and local Northern Rivers artists

have been invited to interpret

the theme creatively

in any medium.

Everyone is welcome to attend the opening celebration.

Light refreshments will be available.

The opening

Time for individual contemplation, or animated chats.

The thought-provoking work 'Thirst for Justice' (far right) by Valerie Thompson (right)

caught many art-lovers' eyes and started many discussions during the exhibition opening celebration.

At the opening of Metamorphosis, Peter Lehner, pictured with Sue Alford,

and Corinne Batt-Rawden, with fellow artist Courtney Albertini and her mum Angela,

show works they completed during our Artisan Flash Mob held on the 9th May 2012.

The Art

'Evolving from Pain'

'Transforming Through Nature'

'Beneath My Wings'

Artist Statement

"These works are a journey of transformation from a youth of suffering and oppression

to becoming a woman of freedom with an open heart."

Mixed media on canvas works by Corinne Batt-Rawden

'Soul Consciousness'

Mixed media

by Jennifer Harnett

George Senior and Junior Transformed'

Watercolour

Artist Statement

This is an Artisan Flash Mob painting depicting

Thomas and Stewart George who, both being

councillors while working with gas companies,

have an alarming conflict of interest.

My painting is based on a famous portrait

of the peace-mankind-earth loving couple

John Lennon and Yoko Ono

in the hope of metamorphosing

the local father and son

into a similar way of thinking,

into becoming peace lovers

and earth protectors.

by Peter Lehner

'Dream Marry'

Mixed media

by Chang

'Zombie in Swamp'

Acrylic

by Barry Thurston

'Red Lines'

Acrylic on canvas

by Jackson Gooch

'Snake In Tree'

Acrylic

by Barry Thurston

'Fragment Theories

That Cannot Morph'

Oil on wood by Kane Bowman

'Arachne'

Oil painting

by Gareth Lindsay Deakin

'Torso Variation 1'

'Ogre'

Ceramic works

by Ray Moller

Torso Variation 2'

'Depending on my Wings'

Acrylic on Canvas

45cm x 60cm

by Courtney Albertini

Artist Statement

"Just like how a caterpillar

turns into a butterfly,

my artwork shows a young woman

(who is naive and very childlike)

and a mature adult in the front.

The two women in this painting

are the same person

but the woman at the front has changed

from her youthful version,

and has butterfly wings

representing that her life has changed

and her whole world has as well,

but in a more dependable way."

- Courtney Albertini, May 2012

'Story'

Timber, metal and paper

'Perspective'

Woodblock print

on handmade paper

'For A Friend'

Acrylic on canvas board

'Rosemary'

Woodblock print

on handmade paper

Works by hansdieter

Artist Statement

Whilst 400,000 Vietnamese people were directly

wounded or killed by the U.S. use of agent orange

during the war, there are now over half a million babies

born deformed as a result of this chemical.

This orphan child’s look of perpetual wide-eyed gaping bewilderment may beligh traditional notions of beauty,

but the irony is not lost on me. Neither is the white space where the back of his head should be. Nor the perfect ear (albeit somewhat displaced.) It begs the question

– how are our ears?

Are we tuning in to the plight

of these victims of a conflict they had no part in,

given that they were not yet even born?

Vietnamese advocates are calling for compensation commensurate with that which the U.S. hands out to its own citizens with exactly the same ailments.

I call for all leaders who use weapons that kill, injure

or deform future generations to be tried

for international crimes of war.

- Valerie Thompson,

May 2012

'Thirst For Justice'

Graphite on paper, digital render

by Valerie Thompson

'Me And My Siblings'

Photography

Artist Statement

Sometimes it's hard

to stand up for Yourself.

(They are all growing.)

by Viola Hoffmann

'Renewal'

Wool, silk and cotton

Artist Statement

I am interested in the transformation

that occurs in the process

of felting wool to fabric.

Change happens by way

of fixation between exploration,

then the fibres create a new fabric.

by Margy Alexander

'LIFE-DEATH-LIFE 1'

'LIFE-DEATH-LIFE 2'

'LIFE-DEATH-LIFE 3'

Mixed media works by Valerie Thompson

'The Effect of Barbara On the Wire Fence'

Acrylic on plywood

by Rodney Sharpe

'The Keeper'

Acrylic

Artist Statement

A very early experiment

with caustics and optics.

Mermaid, shark

and nautilus shell underwater.

by Rob Moore

'Chyrsalis'

'State of Change'

Mixed media works by Scott Whittingham

'Ulterior Demise'

Oil on canvas

Artist Statement

Inspired by the creatures

of the night and day

and how they have been

drawn by the light.

The sun gives them direction.

by Scott Whittingham

'Dragon's Eye'

'Circle Of Life 1'

'Circle Of Life 2'

'Circle Of Life 3'

'Circle Of Life 4'

Acrylic on canvas works by Janelle Millar

'Behind the Wall, In the Garden'

'Time In Transit'

Digitally enhanced photography

Prints on canvas by Sue Alford

On view until 28th May 2012.

SERPENTINE COMMUNITY GALLERY

17 Bridge St, North Lismore, NSW, 2480.

Contact (02) 6621 6845 or serpentineartsgallery@gmail.com