Artzine interview

See my featured interview in Artzine here by Robyn Werkhoven

Solastalgia Series

Above: Flower 1 oil on canvas 68 x 68cm

Solastalgia as opposed to nostalgia - the melancholia or homesickness experienced by individuals when separated from a loved home - "solastalgia" is the distress that is produced by environmental change impacting on people while they are directly connected to their home environment.

Below: Flower 2 oil on canvas 68 x 68cm

Aesthetic Transgressions 

Exhibition of new imagery from Bernadette Smith and Mark Elliot-Ranken at Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Pidcock Street, Camperdown www.smithrankenart.com

for more info contact Mark at 0404265024

Aesthetic Transgressions at Chrissie Cotter Gallery is a two person exhibition of painting and photo media from October 10^th to 21^st October. Mark Elliot-Ranken and Bernadette Smith are artistic partners now based in Sydney. They spent many years living and working overseas where the influence of travel and diverse cultural experiences have found expression in an expanded sensibility. Both contemporary artists share an affinity although their aesthetic processes differ. Meet the artists in person and share in their creative insights.

Dr Mark Elliot-Ranken’s work has seen a steady refinement towards a minimalist aesthetic concentrating on surface, language and the exploration of space. His current works are large enigmatic canvases with a restricted palette concentrating on the act of painting and the ongoing creation of visual language exploring the terrain of the sub-conscious. Mark sees his work as dynamic expressions of space explored through the language of poetic mark-making. “This is the language of liberation - a state we all need to obtain to live rather than simply exist.” says Mark Elliot-Ranken.

Bernadette Smith MFA investigates the sensual depths of impasto surfaces and the viscous fusions that can occur through oil painting. Her paintings follow a finely honed aesthetic exploring the materiality of paint and surface structure where skeins of paint are pushed and pulled to reveal their quintessence.  In her experimental photography she plumbs psychosocial depths as imagery emerges out of the shadows into light. In both art forms Bernadette explores the core embodiment of the media. “Form becomes content representing synthesis in this process-based art research. The traces that remain are like an alchemical residue.” says Bernadette Smith.

My artwork selected for Sydney Fringe Festival

Be Here Now - Small Works at Fire Gallery 1st August till 12th

"I am interested in exploring the sensual depths of impasto surfaces and the viscous fusions that can occur through oil painting. Form itself becomes content in this process-based painting. All that remains is an alchemical residue." Bernadette Smith

Small Art Works and installation by Bernadette Smith and Mark Elliot-Ranken

Upcoming show at Fire Gallery

Thanks to everyone who supported our show at the Depot Gallery below. Our next exhibition will have a selection of small paintings, works on paper and an installation by Mark Elliot-Ranken from 1st till 12th August at Fire Gallery, 22 Enmore Road, Newtown, Sydney. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SmithrankenartStudios

Exhibition of New Paintings at the Depot Gallery

The Depot Gallery 2 Danks Street, Waterloo, Sydney

26th-30th June

http://www.smithrankenart.com/

Bernadette Smith 
Bernadette Smith has an extensive international exhibition record both as a painter and photographer with work included in collections in Germany, France, Britain, Australia and the USA. She has had a solo exhibition in Berlin and her painting has been selected for the Mosman Art Prize and the Florence Biennale. 
"I am interested in exploring the sensual depths of impasto surfaces and the viscous fusions that can occur through oil painting. Form itself becomes content as the process of painting leads to an alchemical quest." http://artofbernadette.blogspot.com.au/

Mark Elliot-Ranken
 My works in this exhibition are the product of my current exploration of the act of painting as the creation of dynamic expressions of space. That is the space of creation as realized through paint and the physical actions that are painting. Through this I hope to create a space for the viewer to become aware of the alternative nature of creation, a realization that is a liberationary moment for those prepared to enter into such a space. This is explored through the language of poetry revealed in the act mark-making which is the language of liberation a state we all need to obtain to live rather than simply exist. http://artbymarkelliot-ranken.blogspot.com.au/
read review of our show at http://www.jcarolfi.com/spotlight/