Animals in wonderland

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Title

Animals in wonderland

Venues

UTS Gallery (9 April 2002 – 10 May 2002)

Date

(2002)

Summary

Multi-artist exhibition. Located: Australia (NSW). Illustration

Country of context

Australia

Abstract

Art of children's literature provides a colourful show

The exhibition features the work of award winning illustrators Pamela Allen, Bronwyn Bancroft, Bob Graham, Armin Greder, Dick Hoogeven, David Legge, Pamela Loft, Emma Quay, Mike Spoor and Julie Vivas.

UTS Gallery's latest exhibition - Animals in Wonderland presents some of Australia's best-known and loved children's picture book illustrations alongside the paintings of UK research artist Linda Knight.

Commencing 9 April, the show's central theme focuses on animal characters found in picture books and examines the methods that illustrators use to create their art and make their characters "human".

Original works on paper from a number of published books are placed in juxtaposition to large, abstracted, experimental works by Knight. Her work explores both western and indigenous painting techniques and methods used to anthropomorphise animals, such as standing them on two legs.

UTS Gallery curator Felicity Sheehan said Knight's work aimed to reflect the creative working practices of Australian illustrators as a way to expand her own practice, and present new visual possibilities to others.

"Children's book illustrations powerfully communicate to the viewer on many levels, weaving together meaning, significance and world-view, whether the viewer is six or sixty," Ms Sheehan said.

"This is a highly evocative exhibition, not only for the brilliant book illustrations it presents, but also for the creative way Knight has used the colour, mood and form of such works to inspire her abstract and experimental pieces."

Artist Linda Knight said presenting her research through an exhibition was the equivalent of an academic paper.

She said it was unusual for research in illustration to be presented in this way and that it was almost certainly a first for Australia.

"Viewers of the exhibition will experience both an academic inquiry as well as feel aesthetically satisfied by what they see," she said.

"Reaction to the paired works has been favourable and both children and adults will enjoy the collection of original published illustrations, their corresponding books, abstract works and written comment on techniques." [gallery media]