November 2010 - "SONZAI - Existence", East and West Art Gallery

In November 2010, I had another solo exhibition at ‘East and West’ Art Gallery in Kew, Victoria.

The title of this exhibition is “Sonzai” which is Japanese for ‘Existence’

In the Western thought, existence is the world we are aware of through our senses. Materialism holds that the only thing that exists is matter that all things are composed of material, and all phenomena are the result of material interactions. In other words, matter is the only substance.

In Eastern philosophy, on the other hand, "impermanence" describes existence. In reality there is no thing that ultimately ceases to exist; only the appearance of a thing ceases as it changes from one form to another. The philosophical meaning of the Sanskrit word 'Satya' is "unchangeable", “that which is beyond distinctions of time, space, and person" and "that which pervades the universe in all its constancy". Existence is the vast space or stillness from which all forms arise and in time dissolve.

Click on invitation above to view the paintings from 'Sonzai' on my website

This exhibition of new works depicts a variety of landscapes in which the elements of both form or matter and space or stillness coexist. The landscapes in this exhibition are not completely identified with physical form, but not entirely of spirit either. They represent a middle ground between form and the formless. Figures and objects in the paintings are easily defined by the mind but perhaps not as easily comprehended, yet equally as important are the areas of space, which suggest a magical, mythical dimension beyond form.

                                                           

                      

October 2010 - Local Recall

For four months, from July to October 2010, members of "Artlinks", a Creative Art Therapy Group that I facilitate, developed an exhibition of paintings and drawings inspired by local history and personal reflections on life in the local area. It has been a great honour to sit with these mostly elderly participants... to listen to their stories of the region and to assist them in representing their stories.

Billboard sign for the Exhibition

“Take a step back into yesteryear at Manningham Gallery from 6-23 October with Local Recall, an exhibition of paintings and drawings inspired by local history and personal reflections of life in Manningham.
Contributed by local creative art therapy group, Artlinks, exhibiting artists have recognised the value in relaying their memories to the community and some artworks tell the story of residents who have lived in the area for more than 50 years.
Local Recall includes depictions of everyday life, from harvesting on the orchards, taking a horse and cart to school at Doncaster, a day at the Templestowe Hill Climb to living by the Yarra River at Warrandyte.

Exhibition Invitation (front)

The exhibition also showcases historic icons in the Manningham area, such as the Doncaster Electric Tram, Doncaster Tower and the mines in Warrandyte.
As an organisation dedicated to providing opportunities for the whole of the community to participate in art and craft projects, Artlinks, facilitated by Artist and Art Therapist Nerina Lascelles, operates through the Manningham Community Health Services Limited and is based at the Senior Citizens Centre in Warrandyte.







Local Recall - The Paintings









Manningham Mayor, Cr Charles Pick said, “We are delighted to present this exhibition by the members of Artlinks. These amazing depictions of personal and historical stories evoke a sense of nostalgia and are of great cultural significance to Manningham residents”.

Local Recall Opening

Display Window

Exhibition Installation

August 2010 - "Shinzui - Essence" - Yering Station

During August and September I had a solo exhibition at Yering Station, Victoria’s first vineyard.  This exhibition comprised of 44 paintings and prints displayed in both the Cellar Door Gallery and Matt’s Bar Gallery.

Please click on image above to view the paintings from this exhibition in the 'Shinzui Gallery' on my website.

The title ‘Shinzui’ (Japanese for ‘Essence’) speaks of a space or stillness which existed before or beyond the realm of matter. It contains an understanding of Zen Buddhism and suggests a magical, ‘alive’ dimension beyond the 3D form that we, as humans so heavily identify with. The word ‘Essence’ has been used to describe the aspect of ourselves which is connected to all life or our true nature.

My work has been inspired by the sacred arts of a number of Asian cultures. Be it a painting on a shrine wall, a monk’s calligraphy koan or a beautifully woven kimono, these ancient objects of beauty seem to ‘point to’ the essence of all life. Over time, dust, dirt and decay appear to conceal the treasure beneath - but the essence that inspired the creation originally can never be marred or destroyed with time.

Similarly, the understanding of our true essence and connection to ‘the whole’ is sensed deep within ourselves - beneath the layers of mind, emotions and form. This essence is also a beautiful treasure which is always present, just beneath the surface.

The paintings are material objects that depict an image which arose from the essence and which, at their highest function, will offer the viewer a window to their own invisible essence within.

(Click on image to see online article)

June 2010 - The Living Wall Project

Over the past 6 months I have been involved in a very exciting project at the ‘Living Room’ in Hosier Lane in the CBD. The Living Room is a health – ‘drop-in’ service for marginalised individuals who are either homeless or dealing with drug addictions.

Funded under the Arts Victoria Community Partnerships Program, the ‘Living Wall’ is a project which has allowed the Living Room clients to artistically express themselves and to discover and develop new meanings in life. Some clients have experienced great break throughs and deep transformation in their life.

I’ve been conducting Art Therapy sessions where I’ve been inviting the clients to think of a meaningful symbol which would represent them. Workshops also assisted the clients in making stencils of their symbols with the help of a stencil artist. After collating over 20 symbols, a mural design was born and a stencil artist, graffiti artist and Living Room Guests, brought the mural design to life on the front of the building.

Situated right in the heart of Melbourne's street art scene, the “Living Wall’ communicated with hundreds of Melbournians and tourists alike who frequent this lane way everyday and promoted a greater sense of understanding and empathy in our community. In addition, the Living Wall gave the marginalised community a creative voice and a sense of inclusion.

It has been a rich and rewarding experience.

The Living Room Wall Before

The Living Room Wall - After

The Living Room Door - Before

Living Room Door - After

On Tuesday 22^nd June, the wall was officially opened at a launch.  Over 100 people attended to hear speeches from some of the clients, the Living Room manager and myself.

Living Wall Launch

Living Wall Project Slide show

May 2010 - Open Studios

In May 2010, over 30 Artists in the area surrounding Dunmoochin open their studios to the general public.  The ‘Nillumbik Open Artists Studios” happens twice a year.

www.artistsopenstudios.com.au

This was a wonderful opportunity to meet face to face with those who have either been following my artistic career over the years, as well as those who hadn’t yet seen my work. 

People seemed interested to come into my studio space looking through the boxes of collage papers and materials and intriguingly questioned me about my practical and creative process. 

 This was a wonderful exchange….. the whole ‘other side’ of the sometimes stark, formal exhibition spaces which show paintings at their most polished.

March - April 2010 - "MIST" Singapore

In March and April of 2010, I had a solo exhibition of paintings in the Atrium Gallery, Australian High Commission in Singapore.

"MIST" - Atrium Gallery, Australian High Commission, Singapore

The exhibition was opened by the High Commissioner Doug Chester and was well really received by the expat community in Singapore.

The Australian High Commissioner in Singapore, Mr Doug Chester and wife with Nerina Lascelles

This body of work was inspired by a fifteen year study of a number of Asian cultures which may offer both Eastern and Western cultures a glimpse of a different and perhaps more honourable and balanced way of being. Singapore has been viewed as a meeting place and ‘melting pot’ between the East and the West and for this reason I was enthusiastic to display art works which also reflect the positive and unifying aspects of our world cultures.

Nerina with Singapore's Minister of State for MCYS, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon

If you are interested in seeing the paintings from the show, they can be viewed on my website at: http://www.nerinalascelles.com/Nerina%20Lascelles%202010/Mist%20Gallery.htm

While in Singapore, I was fortunate to acquire representation through “Collector’s Contemporary” where I am absolutely honoured to be hanging among names such as Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquait, Damian Hirst and Warhol – to name but a few!

The link to Contemporary Collectors is: http://www.collectors.com.sg

February 2010 - Moving to Dunmoochin

On 26^th February, 2010 I moved to Dunmoochin to become an artist in residency.

Dunmoochin is a series of studios and living spaces nestled among Australian bushland in Cottlesbridge, Victoria.

 It is such an honour to be living and painting here…. Upon the soil where so many artists have created before me. With over 6 practicing artists, writers, musicians and filmmakers living in studios scattered through the trees here at Dunmoochin, a great sense of community & support has enabled me to delve even more deeply into my artistic expression.

At  the end of this my first year in residency, I feel inspired to reflect upon all of the exhibitions and projects completed this year and also the wonderful opportunity to both work and reside in this little piece of paradise.