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Soft Pressing

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posted on 2024-11-18, 03:02 authored by Simon DegrootSimon Degroot

Soft Pressing is an exhibition which investigates and encourages an interaction with surfaces that make up our everyday environments. Paintings are developed from the imprinted surfaces of buildings or other textured structures in the built environment as an active way to promote agency and empower individual connection in contemporary environments. These works consider how, together, we can transform places through collective touch and reflexive mark making.

This exhibition of new works will develop across five venues in 2024 including: Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, QLD; Shoalhaven Art Gallery, NSW; The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery, QLD; Redland Art Gallery, QLD; and, Dogwood Crossing Miles, QLD. Each exhibition will be accompanied by workshops and public engagement activities to develop an archive of works on paper that have been created in the community.

Kyle Weise essay reproduced with permission.
Redland Art Gallery photographs courtesy Louis Lim.
Condensery photographs courtesy Jim Filmer.

History

ERA Category

  • Original Creative Work - Visual Art

Funding type

  • Other

Eligible major research output?

  • Yes

Research Statement

Background This touring exhibition of 11 works on paper and 7 paintings explores frottage - an art historical process where paper is pressed to a wall, footpath, or other surface and rubbed using graphite or charcoal. This process records intimate encounters and are a trace from a specific place and time. After each surface is recorded, it is returned to the studio becoming a provocation for drawing and printed interventions. Contribution These works consider how, together, we can transform places through collective touch and reflexive mark making. My work considers how normally impulsive marks associated with marginalia, doodles, or urban tagging can instead be a considered and deliberate affirmation. Using block printing techniques, the quick gestural marks in the studio are instead slow and insistent as they privilege our human nature to create and communicate. The abstract gestural forms in these works are in response to what already exists. The overlay of rubbing and pressing is a productive way to work with a surface that is already embedded with stories and histories. Through these encounters we can connect with each other and connect with our shared everyday environments. Significance This exhibition showcased across five venues curated by Rebecca McDuff, Judith Blackall, Madeline Brewer, and Kyle Weise who also contributed an exhibition essay. Each exhibition was accompanied by workshops and public engagement activities. This exhibition has received positive feedback and media coverage in Bundaberg Now, South Coast Register, and Redlands Coast Today creating impact in communities. Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, QLD. 17 Feb - 26 May, 2024 Shoalhaven Art Gallery, NSW. 13 July - 3 August, 2024 The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery, QLD. 7 Sept - 17 Nov, 2024 Redland Art Gallery, QLD. 13 Oct - 26 Nov, 2024 Dogwood Crossing Miles, QLD. 7 Dec 2024 - 1 Feb 2025

Publisher

Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery

Place of publication

Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, QLD. 17 Feb - 26 May, 2024

Confidential / Culturally sensitive

  • No

Copyright notes

© 2024 Simon Degroot, except where otherwise credited. All rights reserved.

Medium

oil in linen graphite and ink on paper

Size of work

various

Number of discrete components

18

Exhibition date from

2024-02-17

Exhibition date to

2024-05-26

Was the work disseminated?

  • Yes

Form of dissemination

  • Exhibition

Scope of dissemination

  • Regional

Did the work go on tour?

  • Yes

Venue

Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, QLD Shoalhaven Art Gallery, NSW The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery, QLD Redland Art Gallery, QLD Dogwood Crossing Miles, QLD

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