10 Cathy Smith of dragons and maidens october

Local artist Cathy Smith will be exhibiting work loosely based on the Year of the Dragon in her show 'Of Dragons and Maidens' at the Red Tree Gallery in October.  Her colourful drawings, paintings and sculptures reflect her sometimes  unusual flights of imagination regarding bananas and knights, as well as the aforementioned dragons and ladies.   You are invited to view the art, enjoy some champagne, tea or coffee, and other refreshments, and meet the artist at the official opening from 2 - 4pm on Sunday 13 October.  (Deluxe Cafe Latte Tim Tams available.)  If the weather is fine, have a stroll around Laurie's Sculpture Garden.  If you can't make the opening drop into Red Tree Gallery any day between 10 am - 4pm.

Further work in the October's 'Of dragons and Maidens' art exhibitions can be seen at the Station Gallery in Yarragon, which is open from Wed - Sunday, 10am - 3pm.  The opening for this part of the show will be held on Sunday 6 October at 2pm.

Of Dragons and Maidens

New work by Cathy Smith

2024 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon

This show has evolved from an examination of early Briton, Early Christian, and Renaissance art and crafts featuring the dragon to promote fear, or as a symbol of Satan, to being heavily influenced by Huaxtec sculptures of goddesses/maidens in the British Museum (900 – 1450), and art of Kiki Kogelnik (1935 – 1997).  The latter both present women in formal poses, faces with eye sockets, not eyes, no direct communication.

The spectacular headdresses worn by Huaxtec maidens led to consideration of Mexican artists who sported interesting headwear: Carmen Miranda* and Frieda Kahlo.

Carmen somehow became Carmen Bananas and led me to Andy Warhol’s bananas with interesting protrusions.  This in turn led to the idea of vagina dentatas.

The work showing a maiden who does look at you derives from a portrait I painted of a friend some years ago.  She is a very strong individual with her own striking style.  I released when I was sanding the casts that they were based on her image.

The opening of this work will be held at Red Tree Gallery on Sunday 13^th October at 2pm.  All welcome.

This show, especially banana related artwork, is continued at the Station Gallery, Yarragon where it can been seen until October 27

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*Turns out Carmen Miranda is really from Brazil