In this series of work I am concerned with the moment of metamorphosis and transcendence. Flight is explored through moths, aeroplanes and ethereal winged creatures. A spiritual connection to land is examined through found materials including, bones, leaves and suburban refuge. These are worked in to pieces that hope to bring balance between the masculine and feminine.

This work also attempts to draw on environmental issues the battle between nature, human excess and environmental degradation. Moths morphing into machines, – the war for survival is on.

Between Earth and Sky is an exhibition put together by three artist; Sarah Watt, Jos Van Hulsen and Jacqueline Flintcroft. As well as sharing a creative vision and a wine or two on the weekends, the three artists reside in the same suburban street in West Footscray.

What makes this exhibition unique is that all three have interpreted this theme from a very intuitive place and all take their audiences between the cracks of reality to a profound place of feeling.

In this exhibition Jos Van Hulsen is concerned with that something in between. The moment of metamorphous and birth of something new. Flight is explored through moths, aeroplanes and ethereal winged creatures that deliver the audience to a moment of transcendence. Van Hulsens work is very organic and fluid. Spiritual themes are explored through found materials including, bones, leaves and suburban refuge, that are worked in to pieces that somehow bring together the masculine and feminine into perfect harmony.

Sarah Watt, Better known for her award winning film, Look Both Ways and more recently My Year without Sex, has once again managed to transcribe her suburban landscapes with something deep and spiritual. Watt’s work successfully manages to capture that moment we all have when we glimpse that shadow in the corner of our eye. Dr Who fans would relate to the analogy that Watt has somehow found that crack in the universe and allows us to see two worlds momentarily collide.

An avid pilot and flight enthusiast, Jaqueline Flintcroft allows her viewers a glimpse of her world in the air. Aerial landscapes are meticulously rendered through three-dimensional boxes placed together like a jigsaw. The effect is a beautiful rendering of the landscape through abstract objects. The use of colours and subtle tones conjure a deep connection with the Australian landscape.

For art enthusiasts who are content just to feel and experience I suggest this is a show for you. None of the artists here are concerned with intellectual or moral rhetoric; all are just content for audiences to view the work from a personal place.

Between Earth and Sky runs from the 27^th of August to the 5^th of September at Brightspace Gallery, 8 Martin St, St Kilda. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Sat 12 – 6pm and Sunday 1-5pm.

Burial Spirit

Life cycle (Moth)

Fusion

Bone Spirit (detail)

Various Works

The piece was constructed from both new and recycled materials collected from the area. Working closely with architects WMCQ the gate was to complement the buildings design, which was based on the local shipping and railways yards.
“As well as giving the work an industrial feel by using recycled railway pins, wood and cortin steel,” said Jos “I wanted to add a lightness to the entrance to the building. For this reason I sought inspiration from Japanese design for the composition of the gate. This way I felt I could achieve both.”

The public will be invited to join us at our home and studio to see first hand the creative process underpinning Jos’s sculptural designs and art.

The Arts and Cultural Services department, at the City of Maribyrnong, now drives the scheme, originally developed by local artists. It is a great opportunity for the public to see not only Jos’s studio space but also that of other prominent artists in the area as well.

Some of Jos’s work will be available to purchase over the weekend. Jos will also be available to discuss any custom made/commission based work you may require.

Visit the City of Maribyrnong website for more information about the initiative

The work is expected to be installed soon. We will keep you posted when it will be available to the public.

Having recently attended an artist luncheon at the beautiful Elgee Park Winery owned and run by the Myer family, I was impressed and inspired by the diversity of the sculptural collection available to the public. With over 35 sculptures and artists such as Inge King, Bruce Armstrong, Robert Klippel, Chris Booth – just to name a few, makes this a sculptural collection of huge significance. To have my sculpture in such a collection is indeed an honour.

The collection has now been immortalised in a book “Elgee Park Sculpture in the Landscape” written by Ken Scarlett, an art critic of huge importance in Australian sculpture.

For those of you looking for a nice weekend activity, I can highly recommend a trip to Elgee Park. The morning peninsula is stunning, the wine is sensational and the sculpture is pretty good too!

For more information go to Elgee Park Wines website.

As a Lempriere finalist, receiving the Encouragement Award in 2007 for the work titled Casualty Numbers, Jos spent some time as artist in residence.

The artist in residence program at Bundanon affords artists, from all disciplines and from all over the world, the opportunity to reflect on their practice; the time and space to meditate and the facilities to create. Bundanon’s original artist in residence program operated from the Riversdale property, with artists staying in the homestead and utilising Arthur Boyd’s former studio.

The 2007 Lempriere Award Winner Julia Davis, Meniscii,

An installation of convex perspex mirrors reflects the sky and landscape, exploring art’s relationship with nature. Davis’ winning work will secure  a permanent place on the Werribee Park Sculpture Walk, in the company of previous winners.

Commended Works Louise Paramor, Industrial Jam Session

The six separate assemblages that form Industrial Jam Session each comprise four or five plastic parts, the majority of which were originally designed for industrial use. As the title suggests, for me this work possesses a musical and experimental dimension.

Encouragement Award Jos Van Hulsen, Casualty Numbers.

Made of steel, mirrors and enamel distance counters recycled from Victoria’s railways, Jos Van Hulsen’s piece Casualty Numbers explores how we have become immune to news of casualty numbers, unless they include someone we know.

To read more about the 2007 Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award click here