10 THINGS FOR 10 YEARS - BLOGGING ANNIVERSARY 2006 - 2016

 Scoping The Abyss Gouache on paper 19 x 22 cm 2016

CUE
Taking a cue from social media sites where headlines grab attention I've decided to channel the grab-line! Maybe not as successfully as most media sites, and thankfully for good reason.  I don't think "10 Things You Did Not Know About Kathryn" is really going to grab attention or "10 Things Kathryn Keeps Secret" or "Kathryn's Most Irritating 10 Habits: According To Her Children".

However, to tickle my own humour I decided that I'd list 10 things that interest, irk, inspire me. They are all related to my art practice either closely or tangentially. And, it helps me celebrate my 10th year blogging - posting consistently once a week August 2006 - August 2016!

SCOPING THE ABYSS
But, before I go onto my list. Why did I choose the painting above Scoping The Abyss? 

The drone's scoping devices seek out the abyss where insurgency and terror lies, but I wonder if the scoping actually creates the abyss? Moving away from the military connotation let's think of the painting another way. The ubiquitous nature of connectivity, via an array of devices enable monitoring, surveillance, data collection, data retention and targeting. This creates a virtual abyss where, for example, misleading headlines about celebrities, politicians, events etc throw us into an abyss of superficiality and vacuous diversion. The result is a kind of inertia - maybe an abyss in itself?

Here's an example of being 'targeted' - I googled Suburu cars - yes daydreaming about a new car - and within minutes Suburu advertisements had appeared on my Facebook page. Helpful - NO. Diversionary - yes for a minute or two. Slightly creepy - YES!

Me with two paintings - I am 14 in this photo.

I exhibited in an adult show when I was 14 and sold my first painting at the exhibition.

10 THINGS FOR 10 YEARS BLOGGING ANNIVERSARY

1. TREE-OF-LIFE
I have been inspired by it for decades and I continue to  see how its symbolic potency intersects with contemporary life. It has meant something across cultures and religions for eons and I propose that we ignore it at our own peril.

Beacon Oil on linen 92 x 102 cm 2014

2. COSMOLOGY 

The scientific study of the universe across time and scale helps me with my fascination with perspective , literal and metaphoric. 

Cosmic Auroboros Oil on linen 120 x 150 cm 2012

This post for this painting is the most popular on my BLOG 

3. TECHNOLOGY AND MILITARISED TECHNOLOGY

My current M. Phil research is focused on militarised technology, an incredibly fascinating but somewhat scary area of technological development. I have a particular interest in drones! You can see this in a few of the paintings in this post and in many of my recent posts. 

New Shoots Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm 2016

4. LANDSCAPE

I grew up in rural Queensland. How we humans 'see' landscape is, I propose, an important element in how our species might survive this century. I combine the tree-of-life, cosmology, technology and more recently, militarised technology into my landscapes where I experiment with literal and metaphoric perspective. Disrupted Horizon [below] is one example of how I combine my various inspirations. 

Disrupted Horizon Gouache on paper 10.5 x 24.5 cm 2016

5. MY STUDIO

I have two spaces/studios in my house. One is the garage [two photos below] and the other is a funny room that used to house the hot water system. The latter is used for my works on paper and the former for my bigger oil paintings. Both a really messy. I love my studios.

6. PAINTING

I love painting. I have previously sculpted with various mediums [clay, concrete, assemblage]. I have also worked with etching, screen printing and lithography. I have worked in installation including one where video was an integral part of the work. I have had experience with photography as my brother is a keen photographer. As a young teenager he had a dark room in one of the outbuildings on the farm we grew up on. None of these mediums gets my daydreaming, thinking, problem solving like painting does. 

Painting at Kindergarten - a few decades ago!

7. VISUAL ARTS POLICY - This is an irk!

Two policies introduced in 2010 and 2011 by the Australian Labour Government of the time have severely and detrimentally impacted on visual artists' earning abilities, plus the flow on effect to various suppliers and dealers. The LNP Government, since election in 2013, has not addressed either issue. I get on my sopabox about these two things - but won't here. I'll just note what they are. These two policies are: 

• 2011 Changes to the status of art/collectibles as an investment in Self Managed Super Funds. 
• 2010 The introduction of the Artists' Resale Royalty Scheme. 

8. ABU DHABI

My exhibition at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation in late 2005 is a highlight of my career. I sat with the exhibition each day over two weeks and met the most amazing people from all over the region, Africa and Eastern Europe. The conversations I had with so many of these people, men and women, have had a profound influence on me. I KNOW that the arts can help create bridges across cultures - BUT unfortunately governments, especially Western ones, often see the arts as a show and tell type exercise or opportunity. I have witnessed this a few times...sadly.

At the opening of my exhibition at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation 2005. 

L to R:Clementine Fox,  Mr Khalfan Asst Undersecretary Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Hon Rod Welford Queensland Minister for Education and the Arts,  Kathryn Brimblecombe-Fox. 

9. PUBLIC SPEAKING

I enjoy public speaking - weird I know.

10. M. PHIL

I am a full-time student at the University of Queensland and loving it - most of the time! I am investigating how two Australian artists George Gittoes and Jon Cattapan represent militarised technology in their paintings. ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING!!! Both artists are remarkable. 

The topic fed from my own work and now the research is feeding back into my work. Also, as I paint I seem to work through some of my academic ideas, which result in new insights. My own work is not part of the degree, but once I have finished the degree I will have a body of work that reflects how it inspired me. 

George Gittoes has an exhibition "Night Vision" here in Brisbane at Mitchell Fine Art Gallery right now - it closes 20 August. If you are in Brisbane you MUST go and see it. It's confronting, but the integrity of the work exudes - George has worked in war and conflict zones for decades and pays witness to the horror of war in multi-layered ways. 

_______________________________________________________________

NEWS

I have again been invited to be a finalist in the Tattersall's Landscape $30,000 Art Award.

I deliver my painting on the 30th August.

The exhibition will be at the Tattersall's Club, Brisbane 5 - 9 September and then it relocates to Riverside Centre 12 - 23 September. 

Cheers,

Kathryn

RETURN OR ARRIVAL?

Returning Oil on linen 50 x 94 cm 2012

Returning is in my current exhibition COSMOLOGY There are 9 paintings in the exhibition, so its not a large show, but it embraces a massive cosmological story! Just how massive depends on your imagination. Hopefully, I will have photos of the exhibition soon.

My painting above, Returning, references many types of returning, from the prosaic to the poetic; from here, there and everywhere; from the past, present and future. Yep, it's complex!

The 2.30 min video below All Alone in the Night - Time-lapse footage of the Earth as seen from the ISS made me think about returning. The astronauts who stay and work on the International Space Station experience a 'return' that is rare. For six months or more they get to see Earth from a perspective that must stir awe and appreciation. What do they think about once they return to Earth? Do they actually 'return' to the place they left months before, or do they 'return' with new insights that make Earth seem so different... that rather than returning...they arrive?

I imagine that the perspective gained from space must make Earth seem both special... and not special. The former because it would seem blatantly obvious that, for now and the foreseeable future, we humans have one home...which we all share. So, Earth is special to us. The not so special status would be that Earth is just but one of many billions of celestial bodies in a seemingly endless Universe.

Perspective makes you think!

I recently wrote about my painting below Ad Infinitum, which is also in COSMOLOGY:
We know that human life started but a blip ago, when compared with the history of the universe. Yet, all of existence could come under the title of life....couldn't it? I suspect that the majority of human beings believe that human existence... here manifested in us thinking, breathing, bipeds...will continue ad infinitum. It's a tad scary to think otherwise! But, it depends in what form the ad finitum existence takes.

Ad Infinitum Oil on linen 50 x 50 cm

Another painting in COSMOLOGY is Cosmic Auroboros  I wrote my BLOG post about this painting in November 2012 and it has very quickly become the most visited post on my BLOG!

Cheers,
Kathryn
www.kathrynbrimblecombe-fox.com

SIX YEARS - CELEBRATION!

Earth's Pulse Oil on linen 80 x 200 cm 2006

It is six years this month since I started my BLOG. I attended a marketing and PR seminar for artists at Brisbane's Metro Arts six years ago...and was very inspired by a fellow who talked about BLOGGING. I came home, did what he said to do ie: check out Blogspot...and six years later here I am.

My first post was on the 9th August 2006 and I have posting about once a week since that day. My first post was about a forthcoming exhibition PULSE: Throb Vibrate Quiver Thrill Rhythm = Sign of Life I did not even upload an image [there's one above that should have been uploaded], nor did I ramble too much...and I am absolutely sure no-one saw or read this post! But, over a period of time, I became more confident and more savvy about linking my BLOG, via other social and related interest sites, so that visitors and followers know there's something new once a week. Yep...'persistence' is my middle name! No not really, but my peristence has reaped wonderful rewards. And some of these rewards are:

• My BLOG averages around 2,000 - 2,500 visitors per month...and more when there's something really exciting, like an exhibition or a prize to write about. THANK-YOU to all you visitors out there!
• The regular reflection on my work is now a very important part of my art practice. I really enjoy writing my posts and spend a few hours on each one. This process helps me clarify my thoughts, provokes new ideas and generates inspiration. It also means that when I speak about my work, either in a public presentation or a private conversation, words flow more freely.
• I've 'met' some very interesting [and supportive] people who follow my BLOG. Their regular interactions, feedback and comments [either via the BLOG or message] are a great delight and provide catalytic inspiration. You know who you are...and thank you!
• A number of my posts have been picked up by other sites. More recently Scientific America's Symbiartic Science-Art Scumble  Two of my posts have been listed on recent Scumbles ie: Super Heroes and Animals
• Sometimes, when I am out and about, people mention to me that they read my BLOG. This makes my heart sing!
• It is a great tool to have when writing artist's statements. It also means I can direct people to posts, rather than rambling on in an email or letter. My children say I ramble!!

So, to some interesting statistics.

• The most read [popular] post is Airspace and Phantoms...one of my 'quiet activist' posts. See image below!
• The second most popular is Food-A Fantasy In The Future  Another 'quiet activist' post!
• The third most popular is Ouroboros   where I delve into mythology, religiosity and cosmology.
• You can see the full list of popular posts on the right column
• Most of my visitors come from the United States, followed by my home country, Australia.

Airspace and Phantoms Gouache on paper 52 x 63 cm framed

I am working on a new painting...thinking of calling it Time Travel...will see if this feels right when the painting is finished.


NEWS:

Next weekend 1-2 September I have a number of paintings in an exhibition at the Nindooinbah Woolshed exhibition, which will be opened by well known Brisbane art dealer Bruce Heiser  Here's a link to the various ways [cocktail party, high tea, general entry] you can see the exhibition. Nindooinbah is a well known historical homestead near Beaudesert, which is about an hour south of Brisbane. Below are three of the paintings which will be in the exhibition:

Compassion Oil on linen 100 x 100

This painting was in the Directors' Cut online exhibition for the Blake Prize 2011

Finding The Light Oil on linen 100 x 70 cm

 

Sap of Life Oil on linen 55 x 80 cm

MORE NEWS

Tattersall's Landscape Art Award: I have again been invited to participate in this award and exhibition. The prize money is $25,000. The award will be announced Wednesday 5th September. The exhibition will be on display at Brisbane's Tattersall's Club until September 8, after which it is moved to Waterfront Place, 1 eagel St, Brisbane from 10-21 September.

Also, my entry into the Santos Acquisitive Art Prize in Roma has been selected as a finalist. Entries had to reflect upon the 'benefits of La Nina- the abundance that follows rain'. As regular readers know, rain and water, have been important themes in my work for a long time. The prize is announced 31 August.

 

Cheers,

Kathryn

www.kathrynbrimblecombe-fox.com

 

BIRTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND FAITH

                                      Birth Of Knowledge and Faith Oil on linen 120 x 160 cm

Birth Of Knowledge and Faith is one of 40 finalists in the 2012 Mandorla Art Award Perth, Western Australia.You can see the winning entry and two highly commended paintings on the Mandorla Facebook Page

Here's the Award brief, taken from the Mandorla website
The Mandorla Art Award employs a thematic spiritual inspiration that changes with each exhibition. These inspirations are defined by quotations from the Bible and all participating artists are requested to interpret these in their own way. The theme for 2012 is ‘born of a woman’, taken from Galatians (4:4).

As regular readers will know, the theme of 'born of a woman', was definitely something that would inspire me!

Galatians is in the New Testament and the quote 'born of a woman' speaks about the birth of Jesus [Christ], as the son of God, born to a woman of flesh and blood, Mary. My metaphoric reading of the extended passage is that the Christ entity/spirit is born within, and to, all of us... as faith. The process of 'birth' delves into the potency of the sacred feminine impulse which exists within us all, man and woman. I have previously written about the sacred feminine. Please check out ADAM AND EVE...AND THAT TREE-Online Exhibition

In Birth Of Knowledge and Faith I have referenced both the Old and New Testaments. How? Well, I was thinking about the two pivotal female characters of both texts, Eve and Mother Mary. As regular readers will know, I see Eve's taking from 'that tree', as the birth of knowledge...that the arrival of 'evil' is representative of the introduction of opposites and the resultant 'space' between them. It is in this 'space' that knowledge in all its extremes and forms is possible. Without antimonies, and the close and far distances in the space between them, there is no nuance...no knowledge...or the potential for it.  Thank you Eve for being brave enough to take from 'that tree'!

Knowledge and faith, go hand in hand. For me they are dance partners taking us on a journey through the close and far distances between antimonies, where we have potential to 'find' ourselves by experimenting; by finding out who we are not, in order to know who we are. I have previously written that I have faith in complexity, because if things were merely simple, lack of depth would destroy hope... and faith. Please check out FAITH IN IMAGINATION and MAJESTY AND ORDER

Here is my Mandorla Art Award artist's statement for Birth of Knowledge and Faith

Two transcultural/religious trees-of-life/knowledge emanate from a woman’s outstretched arms and feet. She is the ‘sacred feminine’.  In forming a circle she ‘sings’ and ‘dances’ her elemental grace of life continuance. More specifically I was thinking of two biblical women, one from the Old Testament and one from the New, Eve and Mary.

As Eve took from the tree she gave ‘birth’ to Knowledge in the spaces between antimonies. As Mother Mary gave birth to Jesus, the ‘Light of the World’, she also gave birth to Faith.

I imagine that as Eve took from the tree, the world cascaded into the colours and hues that allowed Adam and Eve to ‘see’ each other. I ‘see’ colour as representing Knowledge. In this painting the multi coloured trees and the ‘sacred feminine’ figure are surrounded by halo-like white light. The two trees also meet in a pulse of white. This white light represents Faith.

                                                          DETAIL Birth of Knowledge and Faith

Birth of Knowledge and Faith, also takes on a cosmic appearance, with the circle seemingly hovering in space. I was determined to make the painting look like the birth of the universe ...eliciting the beauty of the Big Bang...enticing us to place human history against that of the universe...and more. I was determined to create an image which 'spoke' of portals...because both knowledge and faith, together and separately, are 'portals' through which our psyches can travel, in search of spirit, meaning, hope. Portals are representative of birth canals, as well as promises of rebirth as re-entering takes us further into the complexity of life. I have previously written about portals...many times...but please check out BEAUTY AS A PORTAL

I was determined to evoke the concept of Mother...Mother Earth, Mother Nature...that eternal propulsion, the urge to create which exists within us all and everything, even as we know death is part of life. Creation and death are also dance partners on the 'stage' where knowledge and faith perform their ebb and flow steps. 

Birth of Knowledge and Faith is a painting which sits very comfortably along side a few others. Here's a selection:

Auroboros Oil on linen 122 x 153 cm

 Compassion Oil on linen 100 x 100 cm

    Cosmic Dust Oil on linen 120 x 150 cm

 Beyond The Dark Night of The Soul Oil on linen 100 x 100 cm and also HERE

Love Oil on linen 100 x 100 cm

Cheers,
Kathryn