Bright and bold are the catchwords for the exhibitions currently on show at NERAM and Splash! certainly celebrates the end of NERAM’s 30th Birthday year in grand style. Abstract shape and expressive colour provide an exciting visual experience and boldly celebrates the gallery, its supporters, collections and its positive future.
The works in this exhibition maintain three characteristics; they are either hard edge abstractions which use sharp geometric forms, present an aspect of collage through the layering of strange and distinct forms and colour or show a process of painting which is grounded in chance. Splashes of paint, colour and shapes form this exhibition.
Splash! also includes the first triumphant display of Margaret Olley’s Yellow Room as part of NERAM’s permanent collections. After much fundraising and the generous support of the community, $400,000 was raised for the purchase of this significant painting.
Alongside Olley are significant painters of Australian abstraction such as Alun Leach-Jones, Col Jordan and Graham Kuo. All contributed strongly to the field of Australian abstraction in the 1970s and 80s, experimenting with hard forms, chance and vibrant colour. These works not only provide internal depth but explode off of the walls in a visually striking and exciting way.
As one of NERAM’s own volunteers commented “I have never been a fan of abstract art but I’m afraid you have won me with Splash! It has been so well curated. It makes me smile.”
Splash! runs until 2 February 2014. Entry by donation.
NERAM Christmas Opening Hours:
Closed 23-26 December, 30-31December, 1 January.
Open 27-29 December
Reopening 2 January with normal opening hours Tue-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.
