Exhibition Opening: The Art of Inspiration
Bluethumb’s flagship Richmond-based gallery is proud to present The Art of Inspiration, a group exhibition showcasing diverse artistic styles and mediums that pay tribute to the enduring influence of the art world’s great movers and shakers. Continue reading to learn more about some of the artworks on display, or check out this week’s curation, Echos of the Masters, to discover more art inspired by the greats.
Liliana Gigovic
Liliana Gigovic’s water lilies are inspired by Claude Monet’s iconic Impressionist series. Monet’s works capture the ephemeral qualities of light and atmosphere, depicting serene scenes of water lilies in ponds and gardens.
Water Lilies, 1916 by Claude Monet.
With loose brushstrokes and vibrant colours, Gigovic’s paintings evoke tranquillity and contemplation, mirroring Monet’s immersive canvases that showcased his garden in Giverny, France.
Water Lilies No 126 by Liliana Gigovic.
Jo Moloney
Jo Moloney’s work is reminiscent of Mark Rothko’s large-scale colour field paintings with broad areas of vibrant colours. Rothko aimed to explore colour and form through this painting style and create an emotional and spiritual experience for viewers.
Orange and Tan, 1954 by Mark Rothko.
Like Rothko, Jo’s paintings lack specific subject matter, inviting personal contemplation. Rothko’s work influenced the colour field painting movement and continues to be celebrated in galleries and museums worldwide.
Momentum by Jo Moloney.
Hilton Owen
Hilton Owen draws inspiration from Roy Lichtenstein’s Pop Art-style still-life artwork. Lichtenstein’s work combines everyday objects with bold aesthetics, featuring solid blocks of colour, precise outlines, and simplified geometric forms reminiscent of comic book illustrations.
Cubist Still Life, 1974 by Roy Lichtenstein.
The vivid and intense colours, such as vibrant reds, yellows, and greens, enhance the visual impact. Employing Lichtenstein’s distinctive style, with sharp, angular forms and exaggerated contours, Hilton creates visually striking compositions.
Receptionist by Hilton Owen.
Silvia Rublio Golf
Silvia Rublio Golf’s works feature a recurring fish motif, imbuing her art with playfulness and symbolism. By incorporating this motif alongside well-known masterpieces, such as Roy Lichtenstein’s ‘A Girl With A Hair Ribbon,’ Silvia invites viewers to explore the interplay between art history and her creative vision.
A Girl With A Hair Ribbon by Roy Lichtenstein.
Silvia’s watercolour artworks create a narrative that seamlessly blends pop culture, fine art and fish!
Mind the Fish by Silvia Rubboli Golf.
Chris Riley
Chris Riley’s ‘Emerald Oasis’ artwork is similar to David Hockney’s poolside works, particularly ‘A Bigger Splash.‘ The setting and architecture in ‘Emerald Oasis’ evoke an atmosphere of leisure and vibrant energy. The composition focuses on the pool as a central element, surrounded by lush greenery and bathed in warm light.
A Bigger Splash 1967 David Hockney.
Like Hockney’s piece, ‘Emerald Oasis’ captures a frozen moment, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the scene. Through this artwork, Riley pays homage to Hockney, adding his unique interpretation.
Emerald Oasis by Chris Riley.
O. Hiisi
O. Hiisi’s subject matter draws inspiration from multiple notable artists, including René Magritte’s surrealist masterpiece ‘Son of Man,’ where a hovering apple strategically conceals the man’s face, adding intrigue. The composition features the man in a formal suit, tie, and a bowler hat.
Son of Man by René Magritte.
Other works of inspiration include Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres’ ‘Grande Odalisque’ and ‘Venus de Milo’, an ancient Greek sculpture currently residing in the Louvre.
SOM GGAF by O. HIISI.
Alejandra Sieder
Alejandra Sieder’s black-and-white works are inspired by Russian Constructivism, an early 20th-century art movement in Russia that aimed to create a new visual language aligned with modern industrial and socialist ideals.
Proun (Project for Progress), 1924 by El Lissitzky.
El Lissitzky, a key figure, merged painting, sculpture, and architecture in his ‘Proun (Project for Progress)’ series. It emphasized dynamic lines, abstract forms, and bold colours, dissolving boundaries between art and design.
Byron Bay 6 by Alejandra Sieder.
Chris Cox
Chris Cox has two distinct styles on display in this exhibition. The first two pieces, titled ‘Blue Nude Selfie’, offer a contemporary interpretation of Matisse’s Blue Nude series. Cox’s modern take on the iconic works brings a fresh perspective to the classic subject matter.
Blue Nude II, 1952 by Henri Matisse.
Blue Nude Selfie by Chris Cox.
Additionally, Chris’ ‘True Motion’ works pay homage to Picasso’s animal line drawings. His bird line drawings with brilliant colour blocking capture the essence of Picasso’s style and incorporate echoes of this great art pioneer into his artistic expression. Today, many people have tattoos of Picasso’s famous line drawings – imagine his reaction to this!
Camel by Pablo Picasso.
True Motion Kingfisher I by Chris Cox.
Adam Mennella
Adam Mennella’s work resembles Keith Haring’s style, composition, and tones. Haring, an American artist from the 1980s, was known for vibrant and iconic artwork featuring bold lines, vivid colours, and simplified figures.
Andy Mouse by Keith Haring.
Haring’s art expressed social and political activism, drawing inspiration from street art, graffiti, and pop culture. Mennella’s work follows a similar path, merging fine art, street art, and pop culture while breaking traditional boundaries.
FLRWS XI by Adam Mennella.
Mary Shackman
Mary Shackman’s Cubist still-life paintings draw inspiration from Picasso. Picasso pioneered Cubism in the early 20th century. Challenging traditional representation, Cubism portrayed objects from multiple perspectives, employing geometric shapes and intersecting planes.
Bowl of Fruit, Violin and Bottle by Pablo Picasso.
Like Picasso, Mary deconstructs objects into basic forms and reassembles them unconventionally, defying conventional notions of space and form.
Still Life with Guitar by Mary Shackman.
Franko
Franko’s artworks pay homage to Andy Warhol’s iconic pieces, such as his Marilyn Monroe screen print and Campbell Soup Can series. Warhol, an influential figure in the Pop Art movement, challenged artistic conventions by transforming everyday objects into high art.
Marilyn Monroe, 1967 by Andy Warhol.
Warhol’s boundary-breaking approach to creativity blurred the distinction between high art and popular culture, leaving a lasting impact on the art world and inspiring future artists.
Marilyns 5th Soup by Franko.
Brad Gunn
Brad Gunn’s sculptural creations reflect the grace, idealized beauty, and harmonious forms seen in classical Greek sculpture. They also embody the anatomical accuracy and powerful presence of Michelangelo’s Renaissance masterpiece ‘David’.
David by Michelangelo.
While paying homage to these influential periods, Gunn infuses his artistic vision, resulting in contemporary sculptures that honour the enduring legacy of figurative sculpture.
The Lush by Brad Gunn.
The Art of Inspiration is on show from May 25th – June 26th at Bluethumb’s Melbourne Gallery. Reserve your free tickets to the opening here!
