Testing the Waters

Paintings by Anita West

8 March - 12 April 2006
Redland Art Gallery, Capalaba

This exhibition showcases a selection of experimental paintings by Anita West that have been produced directly from Queensland based art workshops. Over the last five years Anita has attended inspirational classes run by nationally recognised contemporary artists and educators.

These workshops are generally one to two weeks long and are promoted through organisations such as Flying Arts or Artworkers. All of Anita’s paintings were completed at workshop sessions as the immediacy and energy of the surrounding landscape is an important influence. Each painting is based on a particular theme and was developed from various exercises set by the educator within the boundaries of the individual’s personal experience.

Moving out of one’s comfort zone is often a critical feature in master classes and skills based workshops. Testing the Waters is essential if an artist is to go beyond their boundaries and reach unexpected places. The experimental techniques explored in these paintings were designed to be used as keys to support and develop Anita’s practice. They are, therefore, not necessarily representative of Anita’s personal style but are ‘ideas on canvas’ that act as building blocks for future painting.

Image: Anita West, Water Tank and Miners' Huts. Courtesy of the artist.