Monday, April 19, 2010

Chris Wake's Exhibition at Hentley Farm

The Cow Delivers a Message


These large oils by Chris Wake exude a kind of wild energy, as if the characters are caught in high wind. The fish eye perspective, the twisted glasses and bottles and fluid body shapes are reminiscent of Chagall. Juggler's balls, a flying dog, a red dress, bright spots of colour to paintings that are otherwise rendered in neutral greys and browns. A strange raft of often recurring Characters include extreme opera divas, karaoke Queens, Clowns, managing directors and sea captains. Animals feature also - flying dogs, pandas and hyenas as a reminder to live in harmony with other species. Wake's paintings encourage interaction with the viewer and always evoke a unique response, this is exactly what the artist is aiming to achieve with her work.



Born in 1960 Wake has had more than 12 solo exhibitions and 40 group exhibitions and has also participated in the inaugural fine art exhibition for the 2010 World Cup South Africa, the largest international art collaboration in history. A finalist in the 2008 Sovereign Asian Art Prize held in Hong Kong Chris Wake paintings are now much sought after by corporate and private collectors in Australia and internationally. Biography and paintings can be viewed on www.artcw.com.au