Moving Forward: Still lifes and other curiosities

Marlene Antico OAM founder of the Paddington Art Prize in 2004, who turned 80 years of age in February decided it was high time that she hold her first solo exhibition after decades of promoting the visibility of Australian artists through her gallery and national art prize.

Marlene Antico OAM artist statement

It is with tongue in cheek I have titled this exhibition “Moving Forward”. For this, the occasion of my 80th Birthday, the work consists largely of Still Life Paintings.

Painting is a necessity and a joy which hopefully is reflected in my paintings. Colour, surface quality, layering of paint and collage are at the core of my work.

The use of dried flowers, leaves and twigs are, for me, a metaphor for the transformation of our physical and spiritual being.

Inspired by the familiar and remembered cherished objects and places, I use these as a jumping off point for my paintings. The paintings are then continued intuitively, creating very personal works.

Birds are also a subject matter I love to paint. My love affair with birds began as a young girl in Brisbane where we had a wonderful aviary filled with a variety of birds. Still today I am fascinated by their individual personalities, intelligent communication skills, their beautifully coloured feathers and their fragility. In some paintings I have imposed birds from antiquity onto the Sydney waterways thereby referencing the continuity of life and art.

As my first art teacher, Jim Sharp from Willoughby Workshop 1970s would say “What you see is what you get”. Here’s hoping you get something!

Jim Sharp would also say “Don’t repeat anything I say”. Sorry Jim!

• Opening night : Tuesday 3 June, 6pm to 8pm

• Online preview and sales: https://www.paddingtonartprize.com.au/marlene-antico-oam