Exhibition: The King of Hearts
Greg Barr – The King of the Hearts
Naturally gifted Noongar artist, Greg Barr is busy preparing for his first solo exhibition, “The King of the Hearts” at the Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery this June.
“Greg has been a practicing artist since 2009 and has been working towards his goal of having his first solo exhibition for the last 18 months. He is very proud when creating each of his works, knowing it is for his exhibition, and is really looking forward to sharing them with his family and friends. As well as selling some! Greg is a very good salesman!” says Susie Waller, Greg’s art partner.
“The title of the show takes inspiration from Greg’s endearing referral to himself as ‘the king’ of his house, and also from the place from which he paints, his heart,” says Susie.
The exhibition features 40 of Greg’s newest works. The majority of these are large-scale layered acrylic works, featuring an Aboriginal painting style he learnt at the Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre from Noongar artists including Bradley Kickett, Jade Dolman and Kerry King.
“Greg enjoys creating large-scale works. In addition to using conventional tools such as brushes and palette knives, Greg uses a range of innovative techniques such as pouring, spraying, sponging and masking to apply and manipulate mediums on his canvases. This allows for the unique blending and over-layering of colours and textures that contribute to Greg’s distinct abstract and emotive style,” says Susie
“Greg’s family, in particular his dad, mum and brothers, are the main inspiration behind his artwork. His Noongar heritage, Western Australian animals and the Fremantle Dockers – his favourite Aussie Rules Football team – are his other main inspirations,” says Susie.
“In creating this body of new work, Greg has undertaken artist residencies at DADAA’s J-Shed Art Studio, the Fremantle Arts Centre and the David Giles Art Studios, over the last two years. The residencies have allowed Greg to develop a very supportive network in the local arts community and to develop this new series of inspired work for his first solo exhibition,” says Susie.
The exhibition is to be opened 6pm Friday 16th June by renowned Aboriginal artist Toogar Morrison and runs daily 10am – 4pm until Sunday 2nd July at the Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery, 46 Henry Street, Fremantle.
Greg would like to acknowledge his sponsors for their generous support: Nulsen Disability Services, Zenith Insurance Services, CGU, Homebuyers Centre, Bitches Brew Custom Picture Framers & S2V Studio.
Contact:
Susie Waller 0410 373 854
Images and interviews available on request.