Media Release

Catherine Schieve …recent works

1 May, 2006

Dirt Painting
Text Painting
Sound Painting

…takes us on Catherine’s journey through various landscapes including those of Louisiana, Brazil, Europe, West Africa, India and the Andes and is derived from the visual diaries she kept to map the sounds, movement and language she encountered during her travels.  Materials used in her work are gathered around the world and locally.

The exhibit is being held in the East Wing of the Long Gallery, upstairs in the Faculty of Creative Arts building 25, and opens at 12.30pm on Thursday 4 May 2006 (in conjunction with The Tones of Subjectivity). Light refreshments will be served and all are welcome to attend.  Exhibition Dates are from Thursday 4 May to Thursday 25 May, 2006.  Entry to the opening and exhibition are free of charge. 

DIRT PAINTINGS are works of improvisation using a medley of earth, volcanic ash, gold, spices, inks, waxes, oil paints and other materials on rabbit-skin glue treated raw canvas.  “The result is a highly textured, layered, deeply coloured surface, which shows the layers and history of its making.”  says Catherine Schieve.  Dirt used in the paintings was collected from Colorado, Victoria and New Zealand.

TEXT PAINTING: TRUTH MECH ANSW and IEMANJA are two seriesof hanging text-paintings created from recycled drawings, computer graphics and fabric combined with textures such as gold, pine needles, spices, dirt, volcanic ash and flower petals.  These sculpture like paintings celebrate the entire process of drawing and transformation. The IEMANJA series are drawn from sketches and writings from the beaches around Rio de Janeiro while witnessing Umbanda ceremonies.

SOUND PAINTING:  Sound, improvisation, ritual and performance are forces behind the creation of all the works in the exhibition.  A large graphic musical score called SHADING can be viewed in the glass cabinets at the staircase of the Long Gallery.

Further information: Tanya Barton-Saad, 02 4221 5853