36 min listen
Ep 55: Alexander McKenzie
ratings:
Length:
69 minutes
Released:
Sep 25, 2018
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
In Alexander McKenzie's paintings the sun hides below the horizon and a low light illuminates the mysterious landscape. It might be a manicured garden or a hill covered in trees and there will probably be water nearby. Perhaps the sea, a lake, a channel. Perfectly still but brightly reflecting the sky.
One thing's for sure. You're going to venture in for a closer look. At first it might look familiar but as you get closer you realise it’s not a place that you're likely to find on this earth. You’ll discover things you didn’t notice at first glance; a closed gate with its key lost in the painting, a bridge taking you to another place, a red flag warning you to reconsider.
Those elements are not accidental. They’ve been deliberately placed by the artist who is himself looking for answers where spirituality is key. Even the symbols in his portraiture lend themselves to a metaphoric interpretation.
He’s had twenty five solo shows in Australia and the UK, has been a finalist in the Archibald six times, seven times in the Wynne Prize and is hugely popular. McKenzie’s shows often sell out and his superb mid-career survey show ‘The Adventurous Gardener’ currently at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery in Sydney has been what could be called a blockbuster for a regional gallery, with 2000 people going through the doors on the first weekend.
We recorded this episode in McKenzie's studio with some of his paintings in progress propped up on milk crates against the walls destined for Martin Browne Contemporary and his November solo show.
To hear the conversation press 'play' beneath the feature photo above. Or listen however you get your podcasts.
Scroll down to see a video of McKenzie talking about his survey show 'The Adventurous Gardener'.
Current and upcoming events
'The Adventurous Gardener', Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, current to 21 October 2018
Solo show, Martin Browne Contemporary, 15 November - 9 December 2018
Show Notes
Alexander McKenzie
Alexander McKenzie at Martin Browne Contemporary
Julian Ashton Art School
Leonardo Da Vinci
Claude Monet
Edouard Manet
Paul Klee
Dutch Golden Age painting
John Bokor
King Street Gallery
Blake Prize
Matt Corby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzVHMan9j7Y
One thing's for sure. You're going to venture in for a closer look. At first it might look familiar but as you get closer you realise it’s not a place that you're likely to find on this earth. You’ll discover things you didn’t notice at first glance; a closed gate with its key lost in the painting, a bridge taking you to another place, a red flag warning you to reconsider.
Those elements are not accidental. They’ve been deliberately placed by the artist who is himself looking for answers where spirituality is key. Even the symbols in his portraiture lend themselves to a metaphoric interpretation.
He’s had twenty five solo shows in Australia and the UK, has been a finalist in the Archibald six times, seven times in the Wynne Prize and is hugely popular. McKenzie’s shows often sell out and his superb mid-career survey show ‘The Adventurous Gardener’ currently at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery in Sydney has been what could be called a blockbuster for a regional gallery, with 2000 people going through the doors on the first weekend.
We recorded this episode in McKenzie's studio with some of his paintings in progress propped up on milk crates against the walls destined for Martin Browne Contemporary and his November solo show.
To hear the conversation press 'play' beneath the feature photo above. Or listen however you get your podcasts.
Scroll down to see a video of McKenzie talking about his survey show 'The Adventurous Gardener'.
Current and upcoming events
'The Adventurous Gardener', Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, current to 21 October 2018
Solo show, Martin Browne Contemporary, 15 November - 9 December 2018
Show Notes
Alexander McKenzie
Alexander McKenzie at Martin Browne Contemporary
Julian Ashton Art School
Leonardo Da Vinci
Claude Monet
Edouard Manet
Paul Klee
Dutch Golden Age painting
John Bokor
King Street Gallery
Blake Prize
Matt Corby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzVHMan9j7Y
Released:
Sep 25, 2018
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Ep 10: Susan O’Doherty: Susan O'Doherty is a contemporary painter who also works in mixed media assemblages which she creates with found objects. Her work often deals with social issues but also examines the nature of time, recollections and past experiences. by Talking with Painters