Everyday Life
A new exhibition by Lyn Harrison is usually an exhilarating psychic experience- and this one, titled Everyday Life, is no exception. I would like to suggest that the title is ironic, or at least highly inappropriate; a better title (to borrow from John Lennon) would be "Strange Days Indeed Mama..."
Most of the new paintings in this present series feature a red-haired stand-in for the artist herself, whose function seems to be that of a shaman,or a spirit medium, whose job it is to give readings of the inner world, perhaps for the benefit of the tribe in general.
This red-haired shaman is hypersensitive - perhaps a little displaced; a "fish in a forest" you might say - she is more at home with the currawongs, the white parrots,the powerful horses and the unpredictable dogs , than she is with the symbols of civilization. She has a tendency to escape, down a ladder if necessary, and then to cast her mind to the secluded shade of the nearest welcoming forest.
A feeling of almost delirious uncertainty permeates Lyn Harrison's paintings - nothing is predictable - her own hands float up in front of her eyes and entertain her with strange gestures of their own making. The conscious mind is only an impediment in this realm; it would throw doubt on the sudden appearance of the beautiful pale owl which, rather like a flying saucer, hangs motionless and silent above her until she feels she can walk on air.
This current exhibition is full of delights of a rather uncanny kind; each painting opens up a multitude of questions- not many answers. Unless, that is, we accept the implicit shamanistic warning that a greater awareness and sensitivity to the inner world of human beings, animals and nature is required of us, if our tribe is to survive at all.
- Edwin Johnson
Everyday Life will open at the nolan on lovel gallery on Saturday 24th February - Sunday March 11 Exhibition extended until Sunday March 18
You are invited to join the artist for drinks at the opening
Sat 24th Feb 2-4 pm
nolan on lovel gallery
56A Lovel St Katoomba NSW 2780
t : 024782 6231
e: gallery@nolanonlovel.com.au
w: nolanonlovelgallery.com.au
Most of the new paintings in this present series feature a red-haired stand-in for the artist herself, whose function seems to be that of a shaman,or a spirit medium, whose job it is to give readings of the inner world, perhaps for the benefit of the tribe in general.
This red-haired shaman is hypersensitive - perhaps a little displaced; a "fish in a forest" you might say - she is more at home with the currawongs, the white parrots,the powerful horses and the unpredictable dogs , than she is with the symbols of civilization. She has a tendency to escape, down a ladder if necessary, and then to cast her mind to the secluded shade of the nearest welcoming forest.
A feeling of almost delirious uncertainty permeates Lyn Harrison's paintings - nothing is predictable - her own hands float up in front of her eyes and entertain her with strange gestures of their own making. The conscious mind is only an impediment in this realm; it would throw doubt on the sudden appearance of the beautiful pale owl which, rather like a flying saucer, hangs motionless and silent above her until she feels she can walk on air.
This current exhibition is full of delights of a rather uncanny kind; each painting opens up a multitude of questions- not many answers. Unless, that is, we accept the implicit shamanistic warning that a greater awareness and sensitivity to the inner world of human beings, animals and nature is required of us, if our tribe is to survive at all.
- Edwin Johnson
Everyday Life will open at the nolan on lovel gallery on Saturday 24th February - Sunday March 11 Exhibition extended until Sunday March 18
You are invited to join the artist for drinks at the opening
Sat 24th Feb 2-4 pm
nolan on lovel gallery
56A Lovel St Katoomba NSW 2780
t : 024782 6231
e: gallery@nolanonlovel.com.au
w: nolanonlovelgallery.com.au
