Aesthetic Transgressions
exhibition of new imagery from Bernadette Smith and Mark Elliot-Ranken at Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Pidcock Street, Camperdown www.smithrankenart.com
Aesthetic Transgressions at Chrissie Cotter Gallery is a two
person exhibition of painting and photo media from October 10th to
21st 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.
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