What's so intriguing about this artist's work is how every time you look at one of his colourful images, you discover something you hadn't noticed before. Each canvas is a never ending adventure as 'new' finds alter your previous interpretation of the scene and/or enhance the 'narrative' of the picture. Even more appreciated is how Bjorn Dolva's work encourages cheerful discussions between gallery visitors as they react to his imagery.
Dolva's exhibits take us to shopping plazas, civic monuments, parks, beaches, and back lanes. The localities he depicts may be interpreted as any place you choose, real or imaginary. For example the young family and barefoot pedestrian in Family Afternoon suggests a sun drenched cappuccino strip found in any town from Freo to France. And the marvellous multitude of people depicted in 'crowd' scenes, like Red Shoes and Red Shorts, present a gaggle of normal folk as well as quite unique individuals.
What I appreciate most about this exhibition is how the gallery displays some of the artist's earlier works in the two middle galleries. Viewing past and present works reveal the artist's artistic evolution. Aspects of his 'signature' style include the dappled sunlight on the ground as noted in Shoes and the curly eyeglass frames in Shorts. Other examples that remain constant as the artist continues to perfect his personal style include lacy foam where ocean meets the shore, star shaped leaf shadows, cotton wool clouds, unique distortions of the figure, and those intriguing and/or comical vignettes to be found within his busy compositions.
However, these fantasy treatments do not detract from the artist's attention to visual 'reality', like the luscious red cherries in a clear plastic bag in Fruit Stall. (While you're weighing up the fruit, look for the 'cheeky' one in the crowd.) Nor does the colourful sense of frivolity and fun completely hide more sober comments that can be read is works such as Chaos on a Sunny Day and Man Above. Both these hectic images contain serious themes; take the time to find them.
It was the warm and sunny Twins that called me back more then once. The composition consists of two seemingly identical young ladies strolling along the footpath in front of a shop. The shop window displays an assortment of 'mannequin' body parts. The more I looked at the image the more duality's and similarities I found - windows, shutters, light fittings - suggesting something was being said. Then it made sense; the twins are not identical nor for that matter are people. We all may appear to be 'the same' but each is a unique individual.
After that epiphany I just had to return to each exhibit and enjoy finding a new narrative for each. What a fascinating and delightful experience. I highly recommend this exhibition to all.