Large scale artworks set to make an impression at University’s annual visual arts exhibition

Bryce Anderson explores perspective and the state of flux between the tangible and intangible in a series of large still life paintings for the 2016 Southern Cross University Graduate Exhibition which opens tomorrow (Friday November 11).

“I was looking to investigate the confines of interior and still life settings, looking to create dense large scale paintings exploring an ambiguity where opposing content meet to build different and obscure narratives. Exploring the traditional means of perspective, only to obstruct and subvert the conventional framework that the history of figurative painting provides,” said the 25-year-old from Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Bryce’s four paintings each measure 121cm x 152cm.

“That scale enables the viewer to enter into the interior spaces, a sense of space that wouldn’t hold the same impact if the work was carried out on smaller scale canvases. The body of work has become an exploration in surface quality, looking to provide the presence of hand where gestural painterly marks overlay strong figurative constructs aiding in the distortion of perspective whilst highlighting the qualities of oil on canvas.”

Bryce spent the first half of 2016 in Canada on an international exchange at Southern Cross University partner institution Brock University in Ontario.

“They challenged me to do really large scale paintings. When I got back home I really wanted to explore that,” he said.

Bryce has already achieved success. He won the ‘Northern Rivers subject’ category at the Lismore Regional Gallery 2015 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize with Bathed in Doubt (Self Portrait). For his first solo show in March 2017 at Sydney’s Saint Cloche Gallery, he will be exploring masculine stereotypes inspired by the stockman and drag racing cultures around Casino.

Large scale artworks in painting, sculpture, video and printmaking - including a four-metre high print of Minyon Falls by printmaker John Lockhart - will be on show at the annual visual arts undergraduate and Honours exhibition.

In an intriguing use of material, both Heather Matthews (Honours graduate) and Georgi Milln (third-year graduate) have been exploring banana fibre and turning it into paper, sound recordings and sculptural installation.

Visual arts course coordinator Dr Stephen Garrett, who moved here from Melbourne and will soon clock up his first 12 months at Southern Cross University, said he was proud of all the students.

“Graduate art exhibitions are all about diversity of interests and a full range of art forms that explore student concerns and concepts. This year we have really pushed the students in their ambitions for those ideas, including large scale art works. There is a new optimism and energy in the art school and I feel this is reflected in the students’ work.”

Dr Garrett said the 2016 student showcase highlighted the strength of the art school, the excellent staff and the University’s facilities.

“This year we have rebranded the student exhibition as the Southern Cross University Graduate Exhibition. I believe this reflects the true nature of the event.

“By showcasing the strength of all our graduating students, the public will be able to see the talent and hard work of our third-year and Honours students together for the first time.”

Three prizes will be awarded on opening night:

• Lismore Regional Gallery Graduate Award is for an exceptional artwork by a student. The Lismore Regional Gallery provides an exhibition, artist fee and catalogue the following year to help launch the student’s professional practice.
• Southern Cross University Chancellor’s Award for a third-year graduating student for outstanding artwork. The prize is an acquisitive award, and the student work goes into the University collection.
• Northern Rivers Community Gallery Award for outstanding artwork. The Northern Rivers Community Gallery, located at Ballina, provides an exhibition the following year.

Thanks to presenting partners: LEXSA, Lismore Regional Gallery, Northern Rivers Community Gallery, Ballina Shire Council, The New Camera House, and The Co-op.

2016 Southern Cross University Graduate Exhibition runs from November 11 to 26. Opening night is November 11, 5pm – 8pm. Visual Arts V Block, Lismore campus.

Photo: Bryce Anderson with Intersection and his other three paintings on show at the 2016 Southern Cross University Graduate Exhibition.