Thursday, August 16, 2012

Interlacing Newtown Streets


acrylic and collage on canvas 75x60cm 2012
My friend Chris gave me an old lace curtain. I loved how it changed the world of what was underneath. This piece works on that association. I think of the nosy neighbour, Mrs Kravitz in Bewitched, but literature and movies are filled with observers, kind and otherwise, who peek through curtains.
The under painting was inspired by a summer spent in Italy for a friends’ 50th birthday. I superimposed the map of Newtown. The A shape recurs throughout this series, with some artistic license.
There is something similar between the feel of maps and the look of lace. I added a few buttons and beads and some rubbings from Cockatoo Island machines for good measure.
Overall this piece makes me feel happy.