Abstract Aboriginal designs combine with nature studies of Australian wildlife in an exciting new collaborative exhibition at the GALA Centre by two Guyra artists.
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Indigenous artist Brian Irving's works are complex, colourful, swirling patterns like mandalas. Kay Smith's paintings are realistic depictions of horse riders, livestock, or New England mornings.
Their work together is a fascinating illustration of how two contrasting styles form a harmonious whole.
“Some people don't like them,” Kay said, “because my work is so totally different to Brian's – but then some people love them. No two paintings are the same: different symbols, different stories.”
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Their collaboration is based on friendship and mutual respect.
“We’re both sticklers for art,” Brian said; “it’s got to look good.”
The two artists held their first exhibition together at the Aboriginal Culture and Keeping Place in Armidale in 2014.
“It was unheard of,” Kay said; “people didn't know what it was going to be like. It just took off!”
Brian suggests the subject to Kay, choosing an animal that’s symbolic of his Indigneous culture.
She incorporates Guyra landscapes as backgrounds, based on photos she took around the area – frogs in a river east of town, or a storm breaking outside her window.
“It helps to keep it local,” she said.
“I sit there looking at [Kay’s work] for a couple of days to work out how to approach it,” Brian said, “then suddenly the ideas start to flow.”
He works figures of birds, lizards, and kangaroos – Aboriginal motifs – into the framework of coloured dots.
“All the images are up here,” Brian said, touching his head.
"That's right,” Kay agreed; “it comes from deep in the heart.”
Kay likes the colours, because they’re so vibrant. In turn, Brian wishes he could paint horses as well as she.
Cr Brad Widders opened the show on Friday night. This is the second year running the two artists have held their exhibition in Guyra.
Last year, they sold all 13 of their collaborative works within two days. Half-a-dozen of this year's paintings had been sold by Saturday.
“If I get a good feeling inside,” Brian said, “I know I've done a good job. If someone's there looking at it, and then they put a red dot on it – it means we've done a good job! We love those red dots!”
The exhibition runs at the GALA Centre, 136 Bradley Street, Guyra, until Monday, January 28. Weekdays 9am – 5 pm, weekends and public holidays 10am – 3 pm.