The Painting Game
Emerging and established artists alike know the game. The game of the palette, the composition, the material, the mind; the game of the art world itself. All artists, or players if you will, in this exhibition are at various stages in their career and are navigating their space as an artist. We all play, even the viewer, no matter the outcome. The feverish attempt to display, understand and communicate the world around us is forever a puzzle artists are hell bent on solving. Gemma Williams, Nicholas Osmond, Lexie Worboys, Oliver Ackland and Tim Owers play the card of colour with deliberate and intuitive mark making to speak to memory, dreams and nature. A game requires rules, however artists are known rule breakers. These contradictions have bred a show highlighting individuality in artistic expression filled with the joy and quirks of the artist's hand. Each artist has their idea of the game and perhaps creating their own rules will allow them to hold all the cards. Come to the gallery and play along with them.
Oliver Ackland
Actor, painter and all round creative powerhouse. Ackland creates fragmented portraits using text, colour and experimental compositions to play with narrative and dreamscapes. His variety of materials create an organised chaos showcasing a truly individual visual language.
Nicholas Osmond
Osmond loves Nick Cave and Bert and Ernie and we love him. A Ditty Wheels staple artist who has slowed down his mark making as of late, moving away from the ‘messed up icons’ we know him for to create calm and considered colour field portraits.
Lexie Worboys
Creator Incubator 2024 artist in residence and emerging superstar Lexie Worboys is making her Ditty Wheels debut. 22 years old and bold as ever making cinematic paintings drawing from family photos and memories, bursting with life as is the artist herself.
Tim Owers
Recent Archibald Finalist and star boy of Ditty Wheels. Owers masterfully captures the Australian landscape with vibrant colours and compelling strokes. His peaceful yet compelling works draw on both real and imagined landscapes.
Gemma Williams
National Art School alumni and Harvey Galleries Exhibition prize winner Gemma Williams is a new comer to Ditty Wheels but not to the creative world. Her imaginative response to colour and form creates art that will lift your spirit and space.