Karin Morris
Up Close
15-25 August 2024
Please join us for the opening 6pm Thursday 15 August 2024
Karin Morris is an artist based in Fremantle working out of her PS Art Space studio. Up Close is a solo exhibition of oil paintings of the natural world with a focus on rocks. This exhibition continues on from Karin’s last one; this time focusing on a smaller scale. Karin has chosen to enlarge a small area of a landscape scene in each work to bring the subject matter into closer focus. Thus, providing an opportunity for the viewer to concentrate on the often unseen arrangements of colour, structure and shapes. By drawing the viewer into this microcosm of the broader landscape, Karin hopes the viewer will be given a greater appreciation of the environment and the importance of preserving it.
This exhibition was approached with three key points in mind. The first decision was to concentrate on the overall structure of the rocks and to focus closely on the patterns that emerged. Patterns emerge which can often have a mimetoliths effect. By emphasising these human and animal characteristics, Karin hopes it encourages the viewer to engage and connect with the environment. In turn, allowing the viewer to pause and reflect on the value of preserving these natural spaces. Shapes can also appear as an abstraction leaving space for thought.
The second approach was to explore how colour could be used to bring emphasis to these rock features. The facets that were considered were: different colour combinations, the use of a limited selection of colours for each piece, plus the use of non-representational colours. This use of colour makes the rocks stand out as each one having their own identity. Karin aims to highlight the beauty of the environment and provoke an emotional response to the painting. She hopes that this, in turn, provides a space to connect with the natural world.
The third approach was to use a square format for each composition. The aim was to give equal emphasis to each side. This also consolidates the exhibition into a harmonious whole. The effect of a square composition brings into greater view the prominence of the small details. This can help direct the viewer’s attention to otherwise unnoticed aspects of the subject matter and increased awe at the natural beauty.
The object of this exhibition was to bring attention to the wonders of the natural world by focusing on the minutiae of rocks. The choice of scale, colour and composition were all deliberate artistic considerations. The result is an exhibition of vibrant, bright and expressive paintings. This gives the viewer an opportunity to experience the landscape from a different perspective and increase their understanding and connection to the environment.
