Joseph Zbukvic and Kayo Yokohama - Red Hill Gallery

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Sat 09 Jul 2016 - Sun 31 Jul 2016

I have just come back from the opening of this exhibition in Red Hill Gallery and I am sitting down to write about it as I enjoyed every minute of it.

The invitation came for the opening a few days ago- the mediums Watercolours and Glass. Both appeal to me. The exhibitions which are individually called "Hidden Treasures" and "Creatures" by the respective artists, are even more stunning then the invitation belies. This one was well worth visiting and given it has just opened, there is time for you to arrange a visit. There is parking just in front of the Gallery or on one of the side streets and the Gallery is open weekdays 10 am to 5pm and weekends 10 am to 4pm.

What caught my eye to start with are the exquisite glass sculptures done by the talented Kayo Yokoyama, who comes from NSW. Kayo explained to me how she engraves each creature on the glass with hard diamond cutters. I asked her if she used a template or previous drawing and she said he transfers the creature onto the glass bit by bit with her diamond cutters.





The inspiration behind the series is that creatures live in the world with us and her work freezes them in time. She says they are at once incredible, unique and beautiful and they become treasured items each one gently etched with whales or cockatoos (there was a green glass vase there which I found exquisite) dragonflies, blue bottles and salamanders. Some of the glass vases, while having an engraving on them, may also have another playful element which completes the picture. An egg for the chicken, some little treasures for the squirrel.

For Joseph Zbuckvic the challenges are completely different and yet so recognisable in any artist's world. Here is a very accomplished water colourist."I try to achieve a balance of harmony between tonal values, design, colour and mood that will visually evoke the emotions between the viewer and the painting. Watercolour, with its subtle and gentle effects is a perfect medium to achieve this."

What for me was even more appealing as well as looking at these beautifully detailed and technically superb creations is the artist's take or story on each of the watercolours. It is just the perfect add-on to a delightful experience. It's the stories behind each painting which make you look at it again, scrutinise the people, the sky, the landscape just one more time. So we learn that while he was painting Notre Dame, he saved a tourist from drowning. You will need to visit the exhibition to find out how he achieved this one.




"Milking Time", is a beautiful typical Aussie landscape and he explains:


" All elements in painting are like notes in music, The way they relate to each other creates the tune, Alone they are a single note with no rhythm or melody. Brushstrokes are useless marks when on their own but they can convey a plethora of moods depending on their arrangement on paper. "

Another aspect of his work which engaged me is that while explaining his motivation or the setting he also tells us about his fertile imagination, which in a scene lacking actors, they can be created. He tells us of instances when he could see a scene unfolding in his imagination and how sometimes it materialises in real life. He loves watching people at work and showing them just as they are. His landscapes are equally detailed and nuanced. His watercolours show great technique, it is a difficult medium as it dries fast but he paints en plein air as well as in the studio and the detail, the colours and contrasts are the signs of an artist who has mastered his medium. If you want to see the artist at work you can click here .

To find out more go to:
Redhill Gallery

07 3368 1442

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!date 09/07/2016 -- 31/07/2016
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