A new exhibition at the Lost Ones Gallery has brought three major artists to Ballarat to explore the singularity and complexity of being alone.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nick Dridan, Harley Manifold and Shaun Tan are the artists featured in Whisper, the newest show at the Camp Street gallery.
The artists gave a talk at their show opening, their notes describing each artist as being driven by diverse inspirations.
The works are bound by the solitary figure in a contemporary landscape, be it urban, suburban or rural, say the artists.
While at first glance these spaces might seem dark and broody, Dridan, Manifold and Tan explore the notion of being alone, but not always lonely.
Nick Dridan has won art awards across Central Victoria and the Pyrenees. He grew up in Amphitheatre near Avoca.
He says his works are largely based around the Pyrenees, and are influenced by the rural experience, which is often a solitary one.
“Growing up or living in the country, you have a lot of space to get used to your own company and the stillness of nature,” Mr Dridan said.
“There is contentment in this vastness, but also a stark sense of being alone and small, and I think that’s a feeling that is present in each of our artworks.”
Artist Harley Manifold explained that these moody scenes are the antithesis of feeling lonely in a crowded room.
“They’re singular figures in a moody or bare landscape, but these are the places where we feel at home and comfortable, where our minds take flight and our inner narratives start to whisper,” the Camperdown-born said.
Shaun Tan agreed that his works are of places of comfort, where the characters are able to relish their seclusion and even enjoy being alone with their thoughts and feelings.
“For me, these artworks are something of a solitary adventure within a commonplace landscape,” Shaun said. “It’s an exploration of the places that are comforting to us, not only in our surroundings but also of ourselves,” the artist, author, filmmaker and theatre designer said.
Whisper will be exhibited at The Lost Ones Gallery Ballarat until 26 February 2017.