In his latest and very enjoyable exhibition, local artist Partington takes us on a return journey from the Pilbara, deep into the sea, high up in the sky and all the way to Africa. Along the way Partington shows us his considerable skills and technical versatility, using gouache, watercolour, acrylic, oil and charcoal for different works.

The most stunning of Partington's landscapes is Looking East, a watercolour view from the top of Mt Nameless. This painting has already received critical recognition, being one of the winners in last year's Cossack Art Awards. In this work Partington has chosen to let the dramatic cloud filled sky dominate the composition, and has created a painting full of anticipation.

Partington's ability to create interesting compositions is further demonstrated in some small gouache paintings, including Weano Gorge- First Impressions and Gorge Country.  In Purple Patches the artist focuses on the abstract shapes and rich colours of Hamersley Gorge's rock face. The simplicity and freshness of this work is particularly appealing.

Gorgeous Graffiti shows creative use of a Karijini gorge rock face. Bands of colour, suggesting rock strata, are the base for phrases promoting the wonders of the Pilbara, such as Marble Bar, oldest rocks in the world. At the bottom of the painting, a figure emerges from a ghost gum and reaches out with a sense of despair. This is an intriguing painting, rich in colour and message.

Our deep sea adventure brings us face to face with a variety of fish, all of which look like they have a story to tell. Then we are taken skyward by a small watercolour and ink work titled Frequent Flyers, which depicts an aeroplane with caricatures of passengers painted on its body.

Partington's excellent drawing skills are shown to the full in three large charcoal drawings. Here, on the African leg of the journey, we can enjoy a drawing of a group of zebras and a single rhinoceros which hang alongside a much magnified view of a well worn heavy duty tyre, perhaps from the safari vehicle. Partington has made the most of the softness of the charcoal medium to achieve a beautiful tonal range in each of these stunning works.

Visit and enjoy the variety of subject matter and the creative talent of this local artist.