New Works by  INTA GODDARD
5th - 26th August, 2007  @  GOMBOC GALLERY
Reviewed by Judith McGrath

It's good to see this artist's work displayed in a local gallery again. It's even more exciting when you note how far she has come in her constant quest to find new ways to produce fine art. Inta Goddard continues to engage the viewer's imagination and intelligence with her well conceived and constructed works.

In this exhibition she delivers delight in both two and three dimensions. Of the former we see the continued development of this artist's early explorations of combining unique state screen prints with digital augmentation and hand colouring. The duo, Meeting Place 1 & 2 may be the smallest exhibits in the show but each offers a satisfying visual experience. Continuing on the 2D plane, Goddard's abstract paintings offer rich colours held safely in balanced compositions.

As much as I appreciate Goddard's prints and paintings, it is the sculptural works that really took my fancy, for their fine structure and finish. Of the large wall installations The Dark of Night stopped me in my tracks. This 'combination' work provides us with five evenly spaced horizontal painted canvas panels flanked by two vertical wooden panels each hosting a plethora of protruding wooden disks. The geometry of the exhibit and the richness of the blue tones, with the occasional relief of moon-light white, makes for excellent viewing.

Also much appreciated are the smaller wall sculptures composed of different sized half disks cut from wood, painted black and white then aligned in rhythmic patterns. Often the edge is painted white while the flat sides are black. Presented in this manner the works seem to undulate and change their presentation as we move in front of it. For example the four wall sculptures of Layers seem to be some kind of transformation of the linear peaks and troughs made by sound waves into the third dimension. Intriguing and pleasing viewing.

Also much appreciated are the free standing works, in particular the undulating stacks of chipboard disks that make up the series, Three Dancers. But it is the floor sculpture Duet that seemed to sway and sing to me. Here the artist is able to convince the viewer that two solid stacks of square laminated hoop pine can be supple enough to suggest a dancer's embrace. An excellent exhibit.

Inta Goddard provides well conceived and beautifully executed works that delight and inspire the viewer.

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