Today an article came out in the february edition of HARBOUR VIEW magazine. It's a fab free mag with a wide distribution, spanning all of the lower North shore and Eastern suburbs.
The article reads as follows:
DIRTY PRETTY THINGS: Mia Oatley
Mia Oatley has gained quite a following since graduating from the National Art School 6 years ago, when gallery director Richard Martin recognised her talent and invited her to be one of his stable of artists. Her first exhibition was shared with other NAS graduates, but it was Mia's edgy figurative work that proved the most popular. She subsequently took off to Paris for three years living and working with other artists.
During that time the gallery hosted her first solo show inspired by the people and places in her new surrounds. Her poster like portraiture and street scenes combined bold colours and collage to great effect and resulted in many red dots. Mia's work is always evolving and her exhibition DIRTY PRETTY THINGS certaintly won't disappoint. She has captured an essence of spontaneity in these poses using her family and friends as models.
In the artists own words:
When I returned to Sydney after living in Paris for nearly three years, things had changed. after a recent break up with my French boyfriend and muse I returned alone. I knew that when I started painting again that a new direction in subject matter and approach would be inevitable. After romantic Europe I undertook my own form of "eat pray love" by spending a year single in my home town and began this series.
My sister posed on my mother's bed for me, the photo's were wonderful, becoming the basis of the first reclining nude series. It was a new beginning with old sentiments. I have always painted people that I have been close to, yet this time I realized that I was painting myself. All the women who posed for me did so in my own home and there is a relaxed eroticism about them. There is nothing more appealing than a woman in her own domain, in her own power, natural, free, and uninhibited by societies glare and yet more than anything, these paintings are about discovering my own power-teaching me who I am and am yet to become.
For more information contact Richard Martin Art
98 Holdsworth Street Woollahra 2025
This exhibition: 19th feb-2nd March
Opening Hours Tue-sat 11-6pm, Sun 1-5pm
Tel: (02) 9327 6525 www.richardmartinart.com.au
Loving the colour arrangements, and the sensuality of the poses. Always been an admirer of your work.
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing, can't wait to see the whole series on show. I better get in quick, because I'm sure the room will be filled with red dots. xx
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