Ruby Chew- Spitting Image; honest reflections in paint.

I was lucky enough to attend the opening of Ruby Chew’s latest exhibition “Spitting Image” at Hill Smith Gallery on Wednesday night. I have heard a lot of good things about this new up and coming artist who is an honours graduate from the Adelaide Central School of Art. She also exhibited at the Helpmann Academy exhibition in 2011; and this was where I was first able to view her work.

Spitting image is flooded with colour; Ruby’s portraits are bold and full of life. They step out of the canvas and greet you, and at the same time invite you in for a closer look.

“Scott” 2012, is a portrait of a young Blond-haired man with a short moustache. He is shown bare-chested on a turquoise background with a red glitter circle behind his head. His arms are covered with tattoos; depicting what looks to be the Japanese Imperial Palace in Tokyo painted in a traditional Sumi-e style.  It is from this tattoo that the turquoise colour has been lifted to serve as the matt background. Scott is shown on an angle to the viewer, not quite three-quarter. The composition is formal; the solid red glitter ring accentuates the facial features and directs the eye over the painted arms and about the bright cherry red beads. The tonal qualities of the skin have been painted with great adherence to detail.

There is an element of contrast in the work; the soft tones of the skin in comparison to the matt tones of the background enhance the flesh.  While red circular shapes are repeated.

In Ruby Chew’s work there is a certain air of vulnerability and honesty. She shows her subject gently holding an object typically associated with femininity. The circle in the background is a halo and gives us an insight into the man. His eyes stare quietly out at us; his facial features are soft and thoughtful. Beads are often symbols of prayer. What is Scott praying for? As he holds these beads in his open hands he also reveals that he is open for a response.

Jude is a portrait of a young woman; her face has been painted with red paint. Four dots garnish each of her eyes. In the middle of her forehead is an inverted triangle. She is bare shouldered wearing a pink and red dress; painted with flat colour it stands out in comparison with her skin. In the background Ruby has placed another red triangle on a maroon background. This triangle points up, in contrast to the one on Jude’s forehead, extending almost to the top of the canvas.

She is a beautiful woman, with flashing green eyes that stare out as she stands in an angled pose. The look she gives us seems to be one of tentative curiosity. Her eyes contrast strongly with the red of her body paint, attracting our gaze to them.

The red triangle is symbolic of many things, though in this case it could be viewed as a symbol for fire.  The fire in her eyes and in her features has been captured with bold confidence. Again there is simple honesty in this work that entrances us. It directs us to want to know more. What is this fire that is apparent in “Jude”? In what way does it drive her? These questions are not so easily answered by staring at this work though we continue to do so.

Ruby Chew in this exhibition has painted, “painted” people. Many of her subjects have been decorated with tattoos, piercings jewellery. Normally such things are signs of people how have a rough exterior; however in Ruby’s subjects we see a gentle, honest human side. She opens up her subject in the painting to expose them in a truly beautiful way. The exhibition is open until the 24^th of November.

http://rubychewart.blogspot.com.au

http://www.hillsmithgallery.com.au/

Such Great Heights- Wonder Tent

Such Great Heights is a local Adelaide design business. I first saw their work at Bowerbird Bazaar and I am quietly hoping to see them again this month when the event returns.  They adopt a style that I would describe as retro chic. Reviving the nostalgic thoughts of camping or as would be the case for many people; those days of Saturday morning cartoons, Hanna Barbara and reading adventure novels such as the Boy’s and Girl’s own annual. The flagship product from this group is their “wonder tent”.

This tent is constructed from printed fabric atop sturdy wooden struts. These fit together easily and are made from Western Australian Karri and Jarrah. As these are hard woods they are solid and will definitely last a lifetime. They are constructed to form a triangular prism the shape to reflect the iconic tent of yesteryear.  The struts are designed to be slightly longer at the top, providing a feature which might reflect the assemblage of such a tent from sticks as a boy scout might do. The lower step has been visually softened and shaped to reflect a worn edge and in a practical way provides less of a tripping hazard for little people. The medium weight cotton canvas has a range of prints which reflect patterns popular in the 60’ and 70’s; with floral prints and geometric shapes. The colours used, compliment the wooden frames and enhance the shape.
This design is reflective of a “simpler time” often portrayed in movies and evokes feelings of elegance and simplicity. It has an attractive array of coverings making it able to fit with any home décor.

The Wonder tent in action at Bowerbird Bazaar

This is a design primarily for indoors though it would appear that the tent would be able to function virtually anywhere as it comes packed in its own water proof bag.  This design also has a visual strength in the utilisation of polished wood.

It appears sturdy and well-constructed; this is a rare feature in the world of today, where manufacturers often choose cheaper materials to save cost and design objects have a built-in obsolescence to make the consumer buy more. I think that we want to go back to an age where things lasted and simplicity was a feature!

With the internet flooding people’s lives with images of the new and latest technologies; toys that do not enhance the imagination of children as they once did. This is the humble play tent for children; no bells or whistles attached. Just good design!

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