Artist of the Week, Jocelyn Sakinofsky

You can feel the frenetic energy in Jocelyn's work.  Gradually she builds up the pace, the layers, rubs back and distresses until her work takes on it's own life form. Occasionally Jocelyn works on pre textured surfaces giving her a platform to work from, instantaneously breaking through that starkly defying, bare surface.  Her work is immediate and beholds an irresistible sense of liberation and integrity.

MONA GALLERY, Hobart, Tasmania

I was fortunate enough to escape to Tassie on the weekend to visit the much anticipated MONA Gallery.  After all the hype it didn't disappoint. It was an incredible experience, the excavated building was impressive in itself, particularly when arriving by ferry, setting the stage from afar.  The exhibits are an eclectic mix of everything from confronting and perverse Modern, to Ancient Egyptian. I won't give away too many surprises, least to say there was much local art with intermittently dispersed BIG names like......Jean Michel Basquiat, Sidney Nolan and John Olsen (located on the ceiling as you walk upstairs to the restaurant).  You can self guide with the iPhone gizmo and use the optional headphone set, to listen to the amusing interviews together with matching song. Dramatic, theatrical, ostentatious and ultimately a celebration of creativity without the austerity of your average gallery. Allow plenty of time to enjoy the winery and a bite to eat whilst you're there, soak up the entire experience. 

 View of Mona from the ferry

Snake 1970-72

SIDNEY NOLAN

 Fat Car 2006

ERWIN WURM (amusing interview)

Skin Flint 1984

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT

Artist of the Week, Cherry Irwin

Fortunately I photographed Cherry's work over a few weeks, as it was only recently that she made an accidental, mark making, discovery (scroll down). Cherry blotted her water colour with paper towel only to reveal a textural imprint, not unlike that which you would achieve through silk screening.  I admire Cherry's sense of exploration and sacrifice, it would have been far easier for her to stick with what she knows, particularly as she is quite an established drawer. The possibilities are endless!

Artist of the Week, Eugene Wood

The simplicity and sculptural qualities of Eugene's work is comforting.  I particularly like his generous use of the page in his compositions, and the abandoned details of face, which leaves something to the imagination.

Artist of the Week, Shi Buffalo

You have to be fully engaged to start to see self in your artwork, and for it to become almost autobiographical.  You begin to identify with whatever was going on in your life at that time.