Gordon Richards
Slippery When Wet IIacrylic on linen
137 x 167 cm
- See more at: http://www.richardmartinart.com.au/pages/enlargement_exhibitions.php?current=3&workID=4190&exhibitionID=158&artistID=22#sthash.9LpvX29b.dpuf
Slippery
When Wet
[VISUALARTS] OnTheMove
ByLouiseJeckells
Victorian
chef-cum-painter Gordon Richards’ latest artworks depict movement in the still
space. The artworks were developed after Richards’ partner had an unfortunate
ice-skating accident, which gave life to the name of the exhibition, Slippery
When Wet. “Last Christmas I was right behind my partner when she had an
accident. She flew, quite gracefully, into the air, and landed very awkwardly
on the ice.” This sparked the initial sketches of the artwork, which later
became the paintings you’ll see currently on display.
Richards’
new show at Richard Martin Art in Woollahra demonstrates how prevailing
movement can be in a still space. Universally, the wheel or circle refers to a
constant state of motion. And here, he uses the unconstrained human form to
contrast with the mechanised bike frames and wheels.
Richards is
an exuberant lover of simplicity. His life as a chef was hectic and
unstoppable, but his now 20-year career as a painter has brought nothing but
elation and personal freedom. The words ‘personal freedom’ follow Richards
throughout his painting career as the transition between pieces and exhibitions
are very indicative of his relaxed lifestyle. “Things in our everyday life
always affect me. I don’t question what contributes to pieces. My work can be a
bit nostalgic and this exhibition is no different.”
The women
who appear in several of the artist’s past exhibitions, are again featured in
Slippery When Wet. The women are usually a mix between his partner and
daughter. “I don’t think about what or whom I am drawing at the time and then
when
I am done,
I can see that person.” Richards once painted a whole series of women drinking
around a table.
In the
initial stages of his current body of work, it was tough for Richards. Despite
the initial idea being formed, he painted over everything he originally drew.
“Painting for me requires a lot of thinking and a lot of downtime where I am
not physically creating anything. But there’s a long process before I am
completely happy with the finished piece. I usually draw everything and then I
try and work fairly quickly to get it out and painted. The next painting is
always better than the last. The next show is only as good as the final
painting.” Richards sees this as a wonderful way of self-evaluation. This mode
of thinking reflects Richards’ past life as a chef – their craft is only as
good as their last dish, right?
Richards talks about Slippery
When Wet as though the paintings were always going to come to fruition. “My
partner painted so that’s how I started. It became addictive and I’d get an
adrenaline rush ... I found it very similar to cooking, which was wonderful.”
Richards notes the similarities between food and painting, “both are dependent
on colour and texture and you must have a good eye for both of these things.”
The Brag Magazine / The Brag.com - [VISUALARTS] OnTheMove ByLouiseJeckells October /November 2013
Gordon Richards
Slippery When Wet IIacrylic on linen
137 x 167 cm
- See more at: http://www.richardmartinart.com.au/pages/enlargement_exhibitions.php?current=3&workID=4190&exhibitionID=158&artistID=22#sthash.9LpvX29b.dpuf
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