Niagara Galleries

is pleased to present exhibitions by two leading Australian artists in April

TERRY BATT
Dim Sum

8 April - 3 May 2008

Terry Batt's paintings and sculptures act as visual puns, a humorous and autobiographical take on order and rationality in the late twentieth century. Batt's work is informed by an American lineage of art making. The influences of American pop and folk art are apparent in classic cars, big cities and wild west pop romanticism. In 2002 he spent a period in France undertaking a residency at the Ernst-Mach Foundation. During this time he produced a number of paintings and sculptures which were included in his 2002 show at Niagara Galleries.

Batt's studio practice includes both painting and sculpture. His paintings are curious figurative tableau, where absurd figures interact and perform. His sculptural work features constructed wood or cast bronze characters. These figures have been released from his canvases and appear in real space. As with the paintings, they are a combination of surreal, naïve and primitive aesthetics. Stripes cover the surface of the sculpture in a collision of modernist painting and animal camouflage. Moving parts are incorporated with the use of small solar panels. The sun supporting new media.

Terry Batt has been exhibiting regularly since 1974 and has been included in important group exhibitions in Australia and overseas. He is an Associate Professor in Fine Art at RMIT and regularly travels to Hong Kong where he supervises post-graduates enrolled in the international program.

Terry lives and works in Melbourne.

and

PAUL BOSTON
New Works

8 April - 3 May 2008

After graduating from art school in Melbourne in 1972 Paul Boston spent a number of years travelling. It was during this time that he developed an ongoing interest in Zen philosophy.

His abstract forms and patterns are thoughtfully painted. The ochres placed alongside blues and greys exude a strength and calmness born of Boston's musing on the question of 'being'. The works are described as combining the contemplative and the active; "they seem still and at the same time highly energised. Viewers often observe that a work never stops moving, folding and unfolding." Boston’s work needs time and attention, but they reward the viewer many times over with their meditative nature.

His abstract paintings and drawings feature in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales and in private collections in Australia and overseas.

Paul lives and works in Melbourne.

Please join the artists for opening drinks on Tuesday 15 April 2008 from 6.00pm

Director: William Nuttall

A fully illustrated colour catalogue is available for both exhibitions $11.00 each plus postage and handling

For further information please contact the gallery on (03) 9429 3666 or visit our website
www.niagara-galleries.com.au