From Sharne Wolff…
The dramatic volcanic headlands of the Byron Bay coastline help frame the backgrounds for Hobie Porter’s new series of paintings in Continuum. The artist’s familiarity and affinity with this environment are evident in his convincing likeness of swirling oceans, stormy skies and rocky outcrops complete with lighthouse. But it’s not the realistic portrayal of nature or the sublime that grabs the viewer’s initial attention. Porter is well known for adding an (apparent) third dimension to his landscapes and in this series a painted rope or chain circle appears spinning in the foreground of each painting, suspended above the sea’s horizon by an invisible force.
The coloured rope, of the kind found when hunting for shells or tossed from a fishing trawler, reflects the palette of the beachscape, or is it the opposite? Despite the harmony of colour, Porter seems more concerned with the clash between man (and man-made) and the environment reflected in the duelling energies of the turning circles and agitated seas. Global warming, ocean pollution and overfishing are all signs of human excess, disregard and short-sighted action that may ultimately lead to our own demise. As the circle turns time marches on.
Until 22 September 2012
Arthouse Gallery, Rushcutters Bay
Pic: ‘Ensarement’, oil on unbleached polyester canvas 98 x 130cm. Courtesy Arthouse Gallery and the artist.
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