home | news l

Lowanna

9 February 2008 - Press Release - Quilliams world and iconography is replete with irreverent metaphor exploring spirituality and sublime nature with a profane point of view. By manipulating the human form with abstract images he seemingly impregnates his photographs with an essence of life and spirituality.

Quilliam analyses and deciphers images of the nude female form and landscapes to engage the viewer. By
deconstructing the myth of vunerabilty and nudity, Quilliams opulent abstractions seduces the subconcience to ponder the hidden. The artist covers, hides and camouflages his works to deconstruct, create and recreate a naked reality. Encapsulated by spirituality of nature, the artist deliberately covers and exposes photographs to reveal tensions between the act of representation and reality.

Traditional Aboriginal stories and tales have influenced the artist's work to become increasingly intense, mysterious, and probing. Quilliam explains,"To interpret my work is akin to demystify the link between myth and reality, I am interested in the process of covering and uncovering the human element of nature; to find depth, meaning and perhaps even a revelation that we are the vision of a 'creator'."

"I'm intrigued by the differing perceptions of nudity and the role it plays in modern society" he adds.

Wayne Quilliam is one of Australia's most prominent Aboriginal photographic artists with more than 100 solo and group exhibitions in Australia, Europe, Asia and the USA.

He was born in 1963 in Hobart, Tasmania. In 1979 he left the small island state to join the Navy and explore the world. In 2008 he is based in Melbourne when not travelling to some of the most remote locations in Australia and touring the globe with his images. He continues to forge new expressions and dimensions in photographs through his culture and anticipates major growth in contemporary Indigenous art.

Koori Heritage Trust from 6 March 2008

Boscia Gallery, Melbourne Thursday 10 April 2008

Art Centre Berlin, Germany Thursday 26 June 2008

email: wqphotography@optusnet.com.au or
tel: +61 (0) 413 81222

Source: Wayne Quilliam

Further information: art issues page - includes news index and external links

|| click to go to the top of this page