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Cloud 9February 6 - 27, 1999 Schlegel's work in many ways reflects the mid-eighties atmosphere of the "Vienna Circle", whose artists explored conceptual and multi-media art, and developed surface aesthetics into a quality in its own right. At once sensual and intellectual, her recent work continues to deal with the metaphysical issues of art and depiction which have always been her concern. Beginning with a mechanically reproduced image (of the "natural" phenomenon of clouds) which is transferred onto a chalk ground surface (the gesso ground associated with easel painting), the artist painstakingly adds layer upon layer of lacquer by hand, adding a small amount of oil paint to each layer in order to build up colour-space. Clouds as a physical phenomenon are perceived as continuously changing form, colour and substance. In these works they lead the eye to wander through the image and evoke space while the shining lacquer emphasizes surface and materiality. The result is a series of strangely ambiguous and powerful image/objects which, on one hand, function as highly refined commentaries on the nature of perception, reproduction and representation, and, on the other, stand alone as poetically ambivalent and quiet works. Gallery hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 - 5:00 For information, telephone (416) 920 3820 |