George Gittoes
July 14 - 30, 2010
The artwork of George Gittoes is amongst the most robust in
contemporary art. Although in his 60th year, there has
been no let-up in his high octane drive to reveal his vision of the
world. Evoking passion, power and an unrivalled authority on the
hardships of humanity, Gittoes not only delves into the dark side,
but searches for the essence of the human condition that evolves
when man faces apocalyptic scenarios.
Gittoes is a lover of life and expression. His stories of the
affected are real, but through his ever-active creativity, the
images and stories morph into beings from a subconscious that is
undoubtedly scarred. Gittoes often attacks the viewer using a
multi-media experience that offers no parlay. Film, photography,
paint and demonic puppetry all drive relentlessly to create a place
that one questions and is confronted with the frailty of
life.
Transitions is a body of work that references Gittoes'
endless quest to document. Old work and new work spanning decades
in their creation continue to maintain their currency. Puppets
first exposed at the iconic Yellow House Puppet Theatre in the late
1960s / early 70s have returned to downtown Sydney. They carry
angst and baggage and occupy the exhibition space like some
outrageous Punch and Judy show, painted by the dark side of the
force.
As always, Gittoes' profound love of drawing and diary-keeping
binds the experience for the viewer - contextualising major and
minor oils, abstract and realistic alike, into their position in
history. As viewers, we are provided with an insight into a man's
mind that has no limit to its capacity to absorb whatever the world
throws at it.
Ralph Hobbs
July 2010
RECENT MEDIA
Interview with Levi Strauss for The Brooklyn Rail, Jul
2010
CNN interview with Becky Anderson, Mar 2010
Studio International, UK, article by Janet McKenzie, Mar
2010
