Sydney Harbour: Gav Barbey Exhibition

Sydney Harbour has long been a source of inspiration to my works, from my early figurative lyrical line works to the many theatre productions I have designed for companies like Richard Roxburgh Burning House, Sydney Theatre Company, ATYP and Dance companies that have homed themselves on the Sydney Wharfs.

The use of ultra marine blue has been a signature of mine since my early days within the theatre, ultra marine blue pigment is derived from the mineral lapis lazuli, within the theatre and historically within churches and temples, the colour is one of the only pigments that absorbs light, spreading it rather than spotting the light, this gift’s the illusion of infinity, we call it the magic colour as it haloes the wall, object within an endless ghosting of depth.

For me Sydney Harbour affords a juxtaposition between the spell of the sensuous, the landscape and the ever-changing light upon the blue ocean, and the human made structures and forms that graphic the skyline and reflections. My interest is in the organic, and within symmetry. 

Early influences for me are the Brett Whitely harbour works, the capturing of the lyrical line and the bold statements within shapes and form. This new series is somewhat a yearning for a harbour that holds itself within memory, within the tidal changes and within the depth of the unknown blue. The subtle tidal marks, the inherent reflection of the sky upon the water, and the transformational nature of water.

These works are a meditation on the semi-organic flow from the pigments chosen to the freezing of ice block to the melting and eventual stain/mark it leaves.

Opening Reception. Come in and join the artist for a drink and make your mark on a collaborative work from 5:30pm.