Ghosts Of The Great Highway: Rosalie Gascoigne

Saturday, August 1, 2009

The artwork of Michael Jenkins.

Australian artist Michael Jenkins recently contacted me regarding my artwork. Upon following a link to his site I was immediately attracted to his art. Jenkin's work resonates with similar compositional structures to Rosalie Gascoigne who I wrote a post on last month.

Lately I have been focused on abstract work made from recycled materials, mostly metal. Michael's work uses recycled, weathered wood to make solid compositions. Each work is a unique historical expression, be it from reconstructed road signs, beach bathing box timber, World War 11 artillery boxes or recycled building materials from a bygone era.

It is always nice to find mutual admiration from artists all over the world who share similar ideas about their work. Thanks to Michael for contacting me and exposing me to his artwork.

You can see more of Michael's work here and here.

"Ned" 120cm x 120cm

"Ned and Dan" 157cm x 76cm

"One Way Or Another" 182cm x 90cm

"Half Moon" 204cm x 72cm

"Blue Sky Mining" 60cm x 68cm

"Six Ocanuis" 120cm x 70cm

"Windjammer" 59cm x 70cm

"Swepps" 108cm x 50cm

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The artwork of Rosalie Gascoigne.

While searching ffffound.com I stumbled across the artwork of Rosalie Gascoigne and through some investigating found out that she was a New Zealand artist who passed away in 1999. Her career bloomed later in life at the age of 57 when she had her first serious exhibition in Sydney, Australia.

Gascoigne's work utilizes weathered materials found on the roadside. Soda crates, worn domestic items and road signs all play important roles in her work. The abstraction comes from cutting and reassembling. Taking them out of context and making them something new and wonderful. Her work speaks of the history of the objects that she disassembles. Used and forgotten they no longer have purpose until she gives them purpose.

You can see more of her work here.