Art News

Finding a new depth

Clockwise from left: 'Death', 'My Pixie', 'Mother and Child' and 'My Angel'.

Lismore artist Ildiko Hammond has taken the term 'texture' to new heights in her latest series of works, which are now on show at Armistead's Gallery in Lismore.

Ildiko creates her unusual masterpieces with plaster, acrylics and bitumen as well as found objects such as feathers, photos and rope - building up the materials until they are almost dripping off the canvas.

The resulting works have a beautiful 3-dimensional quality, literally leaping out of their frames toward the viewer.

"This series is a lot more experimental and I've used a lot more mediums," said Ildiko. "For me layering on the material is an emotional process, and the meaning behind the painting grows with each layer of paint or plaster. One person commented that the works have a real emotional depth, and I really appreciated that feedback, because for me the works are like an evolving journal. My art changes and grows as my own life transforms."

Ildiko's works often feature items that have a direct connection to the image, such as her work 'Masquerade', which has a feathered mask embedded within the painting. On others she has secured candles to the actual frame, giving the pieces a dark and medieval quality.

Ildiko's new series of works are on show until next Thursday, December 23.

Armistead's Gallery is at 43b Wyrallah Road (in the Wotherspoons building) and is open Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm and on Saturday from 10am-1pm.