Art News

Dark arts in Alstonville

Black Majick Peepshow is the latest exhibition by Lismore artist Jon Liddell, which opens tonight (March 3) at the Kolinda Gallery in Alstonville.

Through his images, Jon combines an unusual range of influences including the Pre-Raphaelites, Victorian photography, burlesque theatre and modern fantasy painting, with a focus on the female form.

"With this show, I wanted to represent the magical and mystical side of Eros, and its relationship to love and death," Jon said. "The name Black Majick Peepshow is also a comment on the way that sexuality can be forced underground as a kind of black market if it doesn't fit into certain social or commercially acceptable categories. Since I moved here from Sydney a couple of years ago, I've met some wonderful people who have been happily pushing the boundaries of sexual politics in art, and I've found them very inspiring. I'm also working in a collaboration called Sassafras with an exciting local artist, Amelia Ahern, so right now I'm in a great place creatively."

Jon's previous exhibitions include Fantasm at Armistead's Gallery in Lismore and Furioso at the Kolinda Gallery, both in 2004.

Between collaborations, exhibitions and photo shoots, Jon is putting together a book on mythology with local writer Karen Yeigh, and hopes to find a publisher soon.

Black Majick Peepshow will be on display at the Kolinda Gallery until March 17.