Local artists Jeremy ‘Jez’ Forbes and Brett Igmus Davies have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind exhibition.
Shared Ground is a unique and engaging exhibition, combining Forbes’ striking, bold and colourful paintings, alongside the natural movement of Davies’ beautiful sculptural mobiles.
Inspired by the works of American artist Alexandra Calder, accomplished wood sculptor Brett ‘Igmus’ Davies, recently decided to turn his skills towards kinetic sculptural mobiles.
“They’re delicately balanced so that any slight breeze will give them a nudge. Even the movement in the air created by walking through the room will make them start dancing slowly,” he said.
“If you stay underneath one for a while, the hot air from your breath will get them talking. And if your heater or air conditioner is on, the thermal currents get them moving around doing a poetic dance in the air.
“I’ve incorporated my wood carvings with found objects, like banksia seeds, gum nuts and different shards of wood. And I’ve used a lot of paperbark because it acts as a sail for the wind and move around and you don’t need as much air movement to get them dancing.”
In stark contrast to the natural tones of Davies’ carvings, Forbes’ sharp lines and bright colours adorn the walls, demonstrating the artists evolution over the past five years.
He has partnered with poet Noa Schaerf-Trauner, to expand upon his Shedism series. Schaerf-Trauner’s poetic series Shedding Verse add an extra layer to Forbes; earlier work that was inspired by his travels through central Victoria while working in the mental health sector.
Forbes has also explored newfound inspiration while travelling in Kyoto, plus a nostalgic series, which includes a special Castlemaine version of Monopoly.
“I’m planning on running prints of Castleopoly and making a game out of it, with dead kangaroos on the side of the road, 50km signs, make some currency, like the black wattle currency, and have some fun with it, it’s going to be more of an anti-capitalist rather than a pro-capitalist thing,” he said.
“What are you going to order at the Five Flags? What are you going to buy at the green grocers? What’s the best thing about the gardens?”
The Shared Ground exhibition will be open every weekend until May 25 at Lot19, 19 McShanag Drive, Castlemaine.
