Arts Review

O'Keefe, Preston, Cossington Smith @ QAG

Modernism can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution: an era of rapid growth and change in technology, manufacturing and transport from the 18th Century right through to the 20th Century. These changes affected population dispersement, socialisation, economics and culture. For example, the growth of inner city life, work and travel.

O'Keeffe, Preston and Cossington Smith interpret modernism from their individual place in the world, painting observations of their immediate surrounds (surging technology intertwined with nature being a recurrent theme) to create comfort, and a sense of place and familiarity. O’Keeffe does this through sparse New Mexico landscapes. Both Preston and Cossington-Smith take on their surrounds of Sydney suburbs and the CBD.

Cossington Smith is considered of of Australia's most inventive colour painters to emerge from the first wave of Modernism. Standout works include Centre of a City (1925). It's wonderful to see this work and and observe how much the skyline of Sydney has changed. The Curve of The Bridge encapsulates the energy, optimism and enterprise of modern Australian engineering by this beautiful interpretation of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

In opposition Cossington Smith created "Pumpkin Leaves Dropping" which unlike the upsurge of  industrial modernism, highlights the lush green synchronicity of natural shapes, the changes of seasons, as well as the perennial strength of nature despite human intervention.

Margaret Preston comes from modernism with bold black lines that shape pale colour landscapes with beautiful works such as Circular Quay (1925) and Sydney Heads (1925).Preston was an avid admirer of the technological advancement of the modern world. Her pre-occupation also included representation of the times she lived in as well as her domestic life in modern Australia: stark, minimalist landscapes that also incorporate the geometric order of nature. Works such as Banksia (1927) and Western Australian Gum Blossom (1927) are beautiful examples of this amalgamation of modern artifice and nature.

Georgia O'Keeffe's stand out work Ram's Head doesn't even scratch the surface of the breadth and diversity of O'Keeffe's work, yet it is an outstanding work to open her section of the exhibition. Drawing inspiration from New Mexico landscapes and mountains, O'Keeffe was lucky enough to have such views as the iconic flat mountain from her back patio on Ghost Ranch. This view would be a source of much inspiration throughout her career as she would paint it in many seasons and lights, which encapsulated the familiarity, and sense of home and place that every one hopes to have throughout their own lives.O'Keeffe's work grew and developed considerably into a more abstract direction when she began to leave the ranch and travel extensively around the world.Notable works of this period include the oversized flowers  and almost birds eye views of landscapes both in New Mexico and around the world.

A wonderful and inspiring exhibition from three exceptional women. I too feel the need to bust out the paints and take a closer  look at the modern world around me.

Making Modernism will show until the 11th of June at QAG. 

 Justine Hansberry 

Reviews

Quick Listens

Sasha Čuha: about 'Svetozar!' & electric gusle

4ZZZ's interview with Kevin Borich

4ZZZ's radio drama 'Connie' by Joel Quick

4ZZZ's radio drama 'Morph' by Kathryn Rothe

Opera at 4ZZZ with Milijana Nikolic, mezzo-soprano & Rosario La Spina, tenor

LISI + QLD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Join Forces

TWO DIVAS: Eva Kong & Asabi Goodman in Jazz meets the Opera concert

Voice acting by artist Ri McLean: radio drama 'Return' by Stephen Gale

Synthony hitting Riverstage Brisbane

Bardon Community Markets

SuburbiaSuburbia: Rock MUSIC, ART and SATIRE from the AU Suburbs

'My Gypsy Soul' show - Milijana Nikolic & Zokki Bugarski

Crowd Control: Stand up comedy improv competition

Aunty Donna interview: Brisbane show in Oct 2021

Eurovision Song Contest 2021 - review by Blair Martin

Gina Vanderpump - Miss Sportsman Hotel

4ZZZ's 45th Birthday special by Alex Oliver

Nazo Nazarian interview: music, culture & history

Opera Gala Concert in Brisbane: Life, love, passion

Oskar & Andy interview The Immigrants: 4ZZZ subscriber band

El Vito by Marina Poša

4ZZZ Interview: GLOBAL BANDEMIC: Worldwide Free Live Stream event

HOTA Takes Their Rage Online: Interview with Virginia Hyam, HOTA Head of Programming

Interview with Criena Gehrke CEO at HOTA about HOTA Artist Fund – Rage Against The V(irus)

Jack Vidgen - Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020

Jaguar Jonze - Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020

Mitch Tambo - Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020

Didirri - Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020

iOTA - Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020

Boban Markovic Orkestar on Balkan Beats Zed Digital / 4ZZZ

LIVE
100