Featured Artist - Peta Coe
The Stringer Gallery’s Feature Artist for the months of June and July is Peta Coe who has called her exhibition In my Garden. Her artist statement follows.
Living in the foothills of Nunguu Mirral at Valla surrounded by the littoral forest and my rather extensive mature gardens, I have been inspired in recent months to paint scenes that I can see from my deck and studio. It is a mystery why it took me sixteen years to do this. The contrast between dark sacred forest and tamed landscape motivated me and started me thinking how gardens, as a theme, tied in with some earlier works I’ve done, where various countries are referenced. The exhibition therefore brings together a collection of recent paintings which relate to my home, with others that date back five years which refer to other lands.
My display of mixed media acrylic paintings and drawings, collage and prints has leaves and blooms as a recurring motif. Another repeated subject is pots and vessels. This harkens back to my love of studying ancient history in my youth. I use both strong colour and a reduced palette, often with a focus on design. Realism, fantasy and playfulness is my approach. But at times there is a serious message suggested in the titles of the works.
Considering the current world situation, I have been mindful of many regions where gardens, fields and lovely open spaces once existed, but have been totally destroyed. My exhibition is dedicated to all those people across the world seeking freedom to live their lives as they desire. It is my hope that beautiful peaceful gardens will again be designed and tended, along with natural areas in these decimated places, to be enjoyed by everyone striving for joy in their hearts and a blossoming of their desires…places where dancing might be seen and music heard.
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The Stringer Gallery is located in the Nambucca Community and Arts Centre, Ridge Street Nambucca Heads. Hours are Mon to Fri 10:00 to 3:00 and Sat 9:30 to 12:00 noon.
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