James Little "If I Had A Heart" 14th October - 9th November 2013

For those of you who are familiar with James' work you will notice that this body of work is a little different. James decided to experiment with colour and also test a slightly new direction for his work in this show. That's what this space can be ideal for, exploring new ground in your work and to gauge the reading and reception of it...one can step outside the box, so to speak. Nice work James!

Artist Statement

Formed around altering an obsession, If I had a heart is an exhibition of portraiture, reflections and semiotics. 

A series of sibling drawings that uses repeated imagery to create a dialogue  between each of the artworks. The inherent visual symbolism and metaphor throughout the series and how they correlate to each other serves as self-portraiture, but being of such that the viewer may illicit their own response to the imagery and their relationships. 

The creation of the series was in an effort to alter an obsession of procedure, and of personal dwelling. 

The obsession of procedure related to not having a pre-conceived outcome for the artworks, but rather awaiting for a happening or event of relevance to occur, of which a relevant symbolism was then researched and chosen and then drawn within the image. 

The obsession of personal dwelling focused the process of creating the artwork as a means of cathartic saturation into the relevant events. By continually being reminded and forcing reflection upon the happenings through the lengthy processes of having to physically draw the imagery, a catharsis towards the event was gradually realised.

Biography

James Little was born in Melbourne. He completed his BFA at RMIT in 2011.

See more of James' work at www.jameslittle.info

Sian Parany "Crust" 16th September - 12th October 2013

We felt that Sian Parany's show Crust was the perfect way to welcome in spring. 

Sian's pastel coloured plaster sculptures are designed to fade over time and with that comes a quiet and delicate movement and an evolving artwork. Sian has devised her own methods of producing her work through experimentation but there is an element of chance that makes viewing her art quite a visceral and immensely enjoyable experience. It was a joy to host this exhibition in our space and we look forward to seeing what Miss Parany does next!

            

Artist Statement

Time rings in wood and sandstone, amber and fossilised bones. Time plays out, is recorded and reinterpreted in numerous ways; the relationship between our environment and time is intrinsic, evident in everything. Crust seeks to capture and recontextualise time, active yet frozen; objects of  liquid time, played out in colour and form, solidified for now.

Biography

Sian Parany is a Melbourne based artist who completed her bachelor of fine art at RMIT . She is a multi disciplinary artist who enjoys the exploration of colour and form and in particular the relationship between painting and sculpture. 

To see more of Sian's work please visit sianparany.com 

Adam Seymour "G-Force" 19th August - 14th September

This month RAS hosted Adam Seymour and his collection of private/not-so-private works inspired by the colourful pages of smartphone based hookup site GRINDR. Along with his beautiful watercolour works on paper he included the back and forth conversations from the relevant parties giving the viewer a wonderful insight to his subjects. Thanks Adam!

Artist Statement

Recently, I've become intrigued by the idea of our private worlds being made public through social media. I'm fascinated by the contradiction that occurs in this process. We reveal our most wild, deviant, sexual, fantastical selves to the digital universe, for anyone to see, and yet, for some reason, maintain this subconscious expectation that only our desired audience will see it. In G-FORCE, I aim to overturn that expectation, as well as the perceived transience of our digital output. Displaying it at Rooftop Art Space, where a diverse clientele come to meet up with friends, have after-work drinks, see the view, etc. is the ideal social forum for the real-life and e-life to collide. 

My work in mixed media embraces themes of sex, humour and satire. I also explore issues relating to dyslexia and sexual addiction. In my process I try to keep away from the literal world and maintain a playful and conceptual approach. I find visual art to be the most effective way of communicating my ideas.

Biography

Adam Seymour completed his Diploma Of Visual Arts at CAE Melbourne in 2012, specialising in drawing, painting and printmaking. Since then he has exhibited in various group shows and will be exhibiting independently throughout 2013.

Growing up in Country Victoria, Adam describes himself as a "Homo Rural Ranga". He has been involved with visual art for the past nine years and works freelance in illustration, painting and printmaking in his spare time.