 |
| Powerplant Gallery Staff |
I went to the
PowerPlant on Tuesday to look at the exhibition,
Colour Me Badd by
Julia Dault. I was prepared to dislike her work but despite my prejudice, I admired her paintings. She uses unconventional, frequently downmarket, materials to create abstract works that simultaneously look mechanical and hand made. For example,
Starburst , where she uses a comb rather than a brush . A pattern of pale blue vertical lines , about eight inches high and just over an inch wide high wide descend rhythmically across the surface. Each one has a dark blue drop shadow creating a three-dimensional illusion that makes them appear to float. over another layer of regular diagonal marks which sweep from edge to edge of the canvas. Chevrons emerge at four intervals on the sides. A wavy line curves in and through these layered grids, gently contrasting with the strict linearity of the overall design. Blue predominates; cobalt, ultramarine, cerulean, shot with yellow-orange, violet, and fuchsia.
 |
Power Plant Gallery Staff.
Justin |
The method looks impersonal but homemade, as though a child laboured very carefully to complete it and there is a playful quality to her work, despite the self-imposed demands of geometry and pattern.
In other works Dault employs fabrics; Heat Wave consists of a top layer of black pleather meticulously cut out in a grid of miniature diamonds, very smooth. Through these cut-outs, a delicately stained layer of linen glows with peaches, lavender and pink and brown. Dault has removed three triangles from the linen to expose a third layer of bright yellow and red washes over photocopy grey and white. Mounted with several other pieces on a mirrored wall, it's a tactile and mysterious work. In this and other works there seems to be a subtle, ironic reference to things traditionally
female e.g., sewing, hair-combing.
In Dangerous Liasons, 2013-2014, vinyl , folded mesh, and painted etched glass results in a shiny hard -edged work.
 |
Dangerous Liasons 2013-2014
|
 |
| Taking a photo in the mirror intallation. |
In addition to the mirror installation, a visual catalogue of artist's marks covers the long sidewall of the gallery, systematizing her " established, strong and personal vocabulary"as Jason, one of the staff described it.
Enthusiastic, unpretentious,and helpful, the three Powerplant staff are generous with insight and expertise. It was very helpful to discuss the exhibition with Jason who came into the gallery. We agreed that Julia Dault's paintings are beautiful.
Dault has also included three sculptures "made on sight to a predetermined palette".
.jpg)
