Leanne Aitkin's new exhibition expresses the joy of being released from the daily grind.
By Heather Carroll
In her new collection Arrangements, recently retired art teacher Leanne Aitkin explodes the myth that we retire for a quiet life. The work expresses the joy and release many artists experience when they are freed from the constraints of the workplace and can begin to explore ideas that have been waiting expectantly in the wings.
In her new collection Arrangements, recently retired art teacher Leanne Aitkin explodes the myth that we retire for a quiet life. The work expresses the joy and release many artists experience when they are freed from the constraints of the workplace and can begin to explore ideas that have been waiting expectantly in the wings.
After 27 years of teaching art in Korumburra, Wonthaggi and Leongatha, Aitkin couldn’t wait to begin the reflective meditative process involved in developing her paintings. A significant degree of planning and refinement are in a delicate balance with spontaneity.
As she puts it, “Art elements become the subject, interesting shapes nudge one another into place, shadows emerge from beneath the surface, contrasting colours seem to vibrate magically together, the staccato of a black line stands out sharply against an open space, overlapping shapes suggest great depths, the swipe of a brush stoke creates movement, the texture of a surface suggests a whole world.”
Working without recognisable subjects or objects and without a deliberate narrative has enabled her to explore reflective spaces and create art that allows the viewer to enjoy the works in their own right. Quiet reflection on the sometimes luminous colours and juxtaposed shapes lets the audience enjoy the balanced and resolved abstract work that reesults.
This exhibition asks of its audience an open mind willing to be led by the artist to a new experience in the visual world. A preparedness to engage with the work will reward the contemplative viewer. If this exhibition is the beginning of Leanne’s reactivation as an artist we are in for an exciting time ahead.
Arrangements: Painting by Leanne Aitkin. Blue Pig Gallery, 21 Graham Street, Wonthaggi Until November 23
As she puts it, “Art elements become the subject, interesting shapes nudge one another into place, shadows emerge from beneath the surface, contrasting colours seem to vibrate magically together, the staccato of a black line stands out sharply against an open space, overlapping shapes suggest great depths, the swipe of a brush stoke creates movement, the texture of a surface suggests a whole world.”
Working without recognisable subjects or objects and without a deliberate narrative has enabled her to explore reflective spaces and create art that allows the viewer to enjoy the works in their own right. Quiet reflection on the sometimes luminous colours and juxtaposed shapes lets the audience enjoy the balanced and resolved abstract work that reesults.
This exhibition asks of its audience an open mind willing to be led by the artist to a new experience in the visual world. A preparedness to engage with the work will reward the contemplative viewer. If this exhibition is the beginning of Leanne’s reactivation as an artist we are in for an exciting time ahead.
Arrangements: Painting by Leanne Aitkin. Blue Pig Gallery, 21 Graham Street, Wonthaggi Until November 23