29 March – 19 May 2018

‘Tassels and Fragments’ – Helen Fraser – Ink and gouache drawings

‘Still’ – Judy Schrever – Oil paintings

 

Two quiet, meditative exhibitions at Falkner Gallery

Local contemporary artist Helen Fraser explores her love of textiles and the human spirit in a playful and whimsical way. Using ink, gouache and a limited palette, Helen provides an insight into our psychology through a detailed observation of tassels and fabric fragments.

Both artist and psychologist, Helen has a unique perspective that she shares through her original artwork which includes motifs such as threads, fragments, frayed edges, stitching, tassels, weaving, knitting and knots; all representing aspects of healing, recovery and self-understanding as we navigate complex lives and relationships.

Throughout history tassels have been used to decorate interiors, embellish curtain windows and blinds, adorn four-poster beds and upholstered furniture. As such, they are often viewed as status symbols. As a metaphor for humanity and our inner world, could tassels represent the part of us that wants to be noticed?

By comparison, fragments of fabric or cloth may represent something very private, broken, frayed or fragmented within our inner world. Helen reflects upon her love of knitting with a particular focus here on heritage lace knitting or Shetland Lace. These fragments hint at the beauty of past and present textile traditions whilst being a metaphor for the human condition.

Upstairs is the exhibition ‘Still’ by Melbourne artist Judy Schrever. Judy studied at Melbourne art schools and individually with well-known artist David Moore. Her main love is to paint from life, whether still life, portraiture or landscape and she enjoys the focussed communion with the subject that this provides. Her oil paintings are quiet, intimate, reflective studies of landscapes and flowers. She writes: “My love of flowers dominates this exhibition. Their transience creates a yearning to capture the moment when the heart is touched by their beauty. I often prefer a simple composition to allow the banksias, waratahs, anemones or jonquils to tell their own modest story”. Schrever

Both exhibitions commence 29 March and continue until 19 May. The artists will be present Saturday 7 April 2-4pm.