Often I find the best times are the ones that are unplanned. Rather than you chasing the goal, you have an idea and then whammo it happens and unfolds in front of you just because you are in the right place at the right time.
This is the second such art exhibition I've gate crashed in as many years. My companion, gal pal Sarah and I stumbled upon an art exhibition in August 2011 at the Art Factory near Southbank, Brisbane. We were walking by, peering curiously at a gathering of people in this small but ample gallery. One of the guests, smoking a cigarette outside engaged us in innocuous chit chat and warmly welcomed us to take a look at the artwork hanging on the walls. Stepping inside, it was clear that this opening night was well and truly in full swing. Empty bottles of beer and glasses of Grenache lay haphazardly amongst the crumbs of finger food and feta. The guests were loud, full of frivolity and full of grog. We smiled knowingly at each other at their friendly, drunken state.
Taking a look around the gallery I was immediately taken with the exhibition titled "We'll eat up at the lodge" by Sue Beyer. I have always been a fan of maps and had the privilege of drafting maps in my early 20s, when I was working for a large Telecommunications company as a draftperson. A lot of Beyer's work, acrylic on canvas seemed to be inspired by and included lots of overlays of urban plans with apparent influences from suburban living.
Admittedly I am not adroit in the world of art. My appreciation lies in the creativity, time and dedication such pursuits necessitate and the way such disciplines reflect perceptions back to the world. What I loved most about the exhibition were the names of some of Beyer's paintings. Names such as "They barged through the gate without stopping", "We have to make plans for the future", "They were planning a garden", "Much of my apparent indifference was merely protective camouflage" and a personal favourite "The reflectors from the street lights gave us just enough light".
The best I can critique art work is merely by stating my opinion and in my opinion, I really liked it! It was architectural and 'constructed' but was balanced with vivid suburban imagery and colours.
Funnily enough, researching Sue Beyer's website revealed a familiar piece of her work which was previously known to me although I was unaware of the artist. Downstairs in the building where I worked up until my recent resignation, there is a bike parking rack for cycling commuters. I passed through the bike rack room on an almost daily basis since January, almost 6 months after the exhibition, without realising I was already acquainted with the artist's work. Along one of the walls of the bike rack area was a large mural, a view from above of an urban landscape. It was a Beyer and it was not unlike the work I had seen at the "We'll eat up at the lodge" exhibition. In retrospect it's surprising I didn't make the connection considering the similarities. My how I love these little coincidences!
