Brendan Kelly and Esther Erich
Venus x Mars
OPENING EVENT THURSDAY 2 JULY 6-8PM
–
The mythological tale of Venus and Mars represents the infamous pairing of love and destruction. The figures are noted as ‘the cosmic lovers’ in both ancient mythology and astrology. Venus was the goddess of love and Mars the god of war – entangled in a forbidden love affair. Venus is a symbol of love, peace and harmony whilst Mars represents desire, passion and intensity. This ancient story has influenced poets, philosophers and artists for centuries.
Brendan Kelly and Esther Erlich have illustrated this powerful interplay within their collaborative exhibition ‘Venus x Mars‘. The interaction between the artist’s opposing styles has captured the essence of this ancient tale. Kelly is expressive with his robust, quick linework. Whereas Elrich’s composition holds space for softness as the audience is immediately drawn into the figure’s gaze.
In each artwork the figures associated with the ancient story are present. This includes renditions of Venus and Mars, cherubs, angels, and acts of war. Kelly’s works on paper provide quick glimpses with a sense of urgency. Ink and charcoal do not leave much room for error, therefore the works were completed as an immediate reaction. Kelly is highly regarded for his ability to evoke raw emotion and immediacy in each of his paintings. On the opposing side, Erlich places focus on creating alluring facial features. Each face is presented differently but all succeed in pulling the viewer into their gaze. Esther Erlich’s artworks present the side of love and peace, whilst Brendan Kelly’s artwork evokes passion and desire.
Brendan Kelly, based in Byron Bay, has attracted critical and commercial acclaim for a distinctive style which draws on both his immediate regional environment and an inner landscape of raw emotion. In this sense, it is not surprising that his paintings have been compared favourably to the great Australian post-war modernist artists like Sidney Nolan and Albert Tucker.
Esther Erlich is a Melbourne based artist celebrated for over three decades for her distinctive portraits. Expressive and alluring, Erlich’s figures demand attention from their viewers. Her provocatively beautiful faces are vivid apparitions above abstracted bodies that exist in no space or time.
Erlich has won the prestigious Doug Moran Portrait Prize (1998), the People’s Choice Award, Archibald Prize (2000) and has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize and the Portia Geach Memorial Award multiple times. She is represented in both public and private collections nationally and abroad, including the CAE Victoria, Performing Arts Museum, National Portrait Gallery, ALP Building A.C.T., and the National Library Canberra.