WORD OF MOUTH

A blog devoted to culture in Western NSW, Australia. Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) features Dubbo Regional Gallery - The Armati Bequest, Dubbo Regional Museum and Community Arts Centre presenting a diverse range of exhibitions and events.

Monday, 8 December 2008

Tear down, Put up

All is abuzz in the Regional Art Space as Ana Young comes down and Peter Mortimore goes up. Exhibiting such differnt styles of art is always a big challenge, but one we love.

posted by WORD OF MOUTH: WPCC BLOG @ 22:01  

7 Comments:

  • At 9 December 2008 14:14 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I like to think of myself as someone who loves all sorts of art, and I mean all sorts, so I was interested when I saw that Peter Mortimore was going to have exhibition - the art gallery doesn't show much of that sort of art. But then I saw brochure he has written for the show and was appalled! On top is a very nice drawing of a horse, and underneath what I can only presume was written by the horse. To quote:
    "I am unapologetic about the fact that I paint for a living. The subjects and painting technique are both totally resolved before the painting or drawing is deemed finished."
    Resolved by who? For what? Who judges the level of resolution? In the end, what does all that mean?
    And again:
    "I am not interested in ‘reinventing the wheel’ and relying on gimmicks or ‘cloak and dagger’ effects in an endeavour to pass off an ordinarily drawn or poorly painted piece as something intellectually superior to all that has gone before."
    Where to start with this piece of self-important puffery? Painting or drawing an image that gives depth, or an effect of solidity, is cloak and daggers - but cloak and daggers that Mr Mortimore finds acceptable so I guess that's OK. As for the second piece - can he be persuaded to give examples of artists claiming they are intellectually superour to all who have gone before? When I read or talk to artists they always seem to be rather humble about what they do - they mention investigating,exploring, playing - things that hint at ignorance rather than superiority.
    I don't get any sense of the humble from Mr Mortimore's piece.

     

  • At 12 December 2008 21:23 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Here, Here...I have to agree...although, surely the horse could not have written these comments because a horse is perfect in every way and Mr Peter Mortimore is only a man who is unapologetic about his superour abilities...just ask him!

     

  • At 13 December 2008 18:26 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hmmmm. Very insightful comment.

     

  • At 14 December 2008 14:46 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Mr mortimore is a fantastic artist who has done a lot for art in Dubbo. I really enjoyed his artworks and can't understand what you are talking about. I think you are just jealous!

     

  • At 14 December 2008 21:31 , Anonymous Dub(bo) Art Foundationer said...

    As the poster of the first comment, let me state I am not jealous. I fully accept that Mr Mortimore can draw a horse better than I could probably take a picture of one. My 'issue' is that he wants to take up a position of power and judgement that is both self-contradictory and anti-thetical to a vibrant, expressive cultural community.

     

  • At 17 December 2008 15:00 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    The only thing I could be jealous about is that he makes art full time while I fit it into my busy schedule. I do fit it in because it is a part of my life but on second thoughts, I choose to do it this way so i'm not jealous after all...
    confidence in your own ability is a fantastic trait (maybe this happens if one lives in a box and does not venture out of it), but to claim one's ability as more superior over another shows a lack of understanding about the modern world and its need to experiment, explore and grow. what would we do if scientists thought the same way as Mr Peter Mortimore...if it technicaly looks right then it must be true so don't ask questions...
    I'm sorry but if you put it out there (I refer to Mr Peter Mortimore's comments) you have to accept other opinions

     

  • At 17 December 2008 17:40 , Anonymous Andrew Glassop (Ed. Officer WPCC) said...

    While we all love a good debate, this is in danger of not being a good debate at all. The next post from the WPCC will be on Saturday's Exhibitionist, so maybe we can continue the debate about art (not people) on that post. The WPCC is fully supportive of Peter Mortimore and his work, and is proud to have him featured in the Regional Art Space. He plays an important role in the Dubbo and regional art scene and Dubbo would be a poorer place if it were to lose Peter or other artists like him.

     

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