Lauren Wilhelm successfully blends her Curtin University education in graphic design with her study of traditional fine art techniques in the National Academy of Art, Budapest to present works that combine classical methods with contemporary concepts. This exhibition displays the breadth of the artist's ability in exhibits that reference portraits from an earlier century, illustrated book jackets from the 1950's, and contemporary Australian themes.
In the first category we find a portrait of a lovely lady who turns her head in search of something beyond her ornate frame. Her delicate hand clutches something to her chest. Could she be looking for the Lost Dutch Sailor, a captivating portrait of a young man with tousled hair? His broody stare and her alabaster skin, the painting style and colouring, give these works an 'other worldly' effect. But we are brought back to the present by the title of the lady's portrait (SMS) and seeing that it is a mobile phone half hidden in her di Vinci-like hand. These kind of gentle aesthetic shocks happen throughout Wilhelm's work.
They are present in the series of small acrylic paintings depicting women with attitude. Employing strong colour and bold brush work to form high cheek bones and wavy hair, Wilhelm captures the aura of those strong women found in detective stories and Hollywood movies of another era. This concept is reinforced by such titles as A Walk on the Wild Side, Not Even Slightly and Oh Hello where self confident dungaree dolls return our gaze with a confidence that hovers on the edge of a threat. Good stuff!
Also appreciated are the mixed media works that seem more contemporary in format and style. In these exhibits, disparate objects are collected into well orchestrated compositions to suggest fragments of thoughts ambling through a busy mind. The Day Deconstructed seems introspective while Scrap Metal Memories is a reflection on the hard work and heat of the bush, and A Complete Set of Instructions for the Day depicts a grid where each box contains a face, place or duty that must be attended to before the sun sets.
The strength of Wilhelm's work is found in her ability to manipulate the medium to suit the mood and her strong underlying drawing. These two talents are best detected in August Augustine. Here a beautifully painted face occupies one third of a rectangular canvas while the remaining two thirds is painted red. In the centre of this red field is a small red square. The red square hosts a simple line drawing of the same face. One can meditate on this exhibit for quite awhile.
This is the artist's second solo show at this gallery and we're looking forward to more in the future. Do see it while you can.