From Sharne Wolff…
Grabbing the viewer’s attention these days isn’t easy to do. Scottish artist Jim Lambie is one of those rare artists whose eye-catching work is both popularly adored and critically acclaimed. Zero Concerto, the artist’s first commercial exhibition in Australia, appears concurrently with several international shows.
Among other things, Lambie is famous for his crowd-pleasing floor installations that marry the artist’s dual affection for art and music. The much-Instagrammed ZOBOP 2 staircase is currently a headliner at London’s Royal Academy Summer Exhibition while Sound System is the drawcard at Zero Concerto. Made unique by the architecture of each space and the colours of the ‘painted’ vinyl ribbons, Lambie considers his floor works the bass line of his shows. The current work is inspired by a piece performed by Japan’s Shuta Hasunuma Philharmonic Orchestra. Compared with previous incarnations the influence of this new sound is found in the funky interrupted bands of saturated colour seen here. Lambie’s associated works – the Metal Box ‘orchid’ series sculptures of bright-painted aluminium and polished steel sheets, his potato bag sculptures and a Duchampian bicycle wheel assemblage – are comprised of familiar goods and materials. Energised with the use of vibrant colour, shiny reflections and absorbing design, these newly animated objects can’t help but succeed in seducing a crowd.
Until September 26
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Paddington
Pic: Jim Lambie Metal Box (Tea Tree Orchid), 2015, Aluminium and polished steel sheets, household paint, Aluminium and polished steel sheets, household paint, 125 x 125cm each (125 x 450cm overall). Courtesy the artist and Roslyn Oxley Gallery.
