Exhibitions Refuge
25.10.13 to 12.11.13
Solo Exhibition: Refuge
Kingston Arts Centre
Drawing on Modernist architecture in this body of work Walker explores the relationship between buildings in the landscape and the interior view.
Upon reading Alain De Botton's The Architecture of Happiness this beautifully researched book reaffirms spaces we inhabit can profoundly affect our happiness, wellbeing and inspiring surrounds can have a positive affect on our lives.
In this exhibit Refuge, the transparency of ‘Glass houses’ allows the landscape to enter the space. Modernist buildings are re-imagined and placed onto fictitious locations. Iconic 1949 Phillip Johnson’s Glass house setting, a 47 acre woodland Connecticut, is re-set and relocated with a mountain view. Another picture Glass house setting is with a sea view. Farnsworth House by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, 1945-51, is re-imagined with a mountain view in clouds.
The thread joining the architecture of Robyn Boyd, Harry Siedler, Lina Bo Bardi, Philip Johnson, Frank Lloyd Wright, and more recently DCM, Todd Saunders and Kundig is nature. Nature plays a great consideration in their practice. The presence and inclusion of nature may be in a form of garden courtyard as in the case of Walsh St House, 1958 by Robin Boyd or tenuous positioning of build immersed in nature of Todd Saunders on Fogo Island Long Studio,2010 and Squish Studio, 2011.
In the case of the Casa de Vidro (House of Glass) 1951, Lina bo Bardi offers an example of someone who had a clear vision about what she wished her buildings to do for the people who experienced them.
“It was also an instrument for experiencing the rich flora and fauna of its almost-tropical setting; built on a steep slope, and supported on slender‘pilotis’, it gradually became enveloped by trees.”
Rowan Moore, The Architectural review, 2012
In this suite of works there is an inclusion of interiors. An item of furniture, a favourite chair and bookcase reminds the viewer of an inhabited space. Some pictures as in ‘Seated View’, offers a place for contemplation as does ‘Interior with Teapot and View’. In these interiors the landscape is hinted with light from within. A painting on the wall as in ‘Courtyard View‘ hints at the possibility ‘our rooms can align us to creative desirable and reflective versions of ourselves.’
The Architecture of Happiness, Alain de Botton.
Glass house interior with Poussin Painting (The Burial of Phocian) 2013
oil and liquin on canvas
91.5 x 107cm
Tripod Chair in Glass House (Lina Bo Bardi) 2013
oil & liquin on canvas
91.5 x 107 cm
Seated View 2013
oil & liquin on canvas
50.8 x 50.8cm.
Quiet Space with Sculpture 2013
oil & liquin on canvas
50.8 x 50.8cm
Interior View with Wegner Chair 2013
oil & liquin on canvas
50.8 x 50.8cm
Study - Favorite Books 2013
oil & liquin on canvas
15.2 x 15.2cm
Study - Quiet Space with Sculpture 2013
oil & liquin on canvas
15.2 x 15.2cm
Study - Interior with Teapot and View 2013
oil & liquin on canvas
15.2 x 15.2cm
Study - Retro Red Chair 2013
oil & liquin on canvas
15.2 x 15.2cm
Study - Interior View with Book 2013
oil & liquin on canvas
15.2 x 15.2cm
Seidler - Roses New View 2013
oil, wax & liquin on canvas
50.8 x 50.8cm
Great Escape Artist Studio - Saunders Long Studio 2013
oil & liquin on canvas
91.5 x 107cm
Great Escape Philip Johnson Glass House Sea View 2013
oil, wax & liquin on canvas
107cm x 120.5cm
Great Escape Philip Johnson Glass House, Mountain View 2013
oil, wax & liquin on canvas
120.5cm x 120.5cm
Great Escape Artist Studio - Saunders Squish Studio 2012
oil & liquin on linen
76.2 x 50.8cm
Seidler, Rose Seidler House 2013
oil & liquin on linen
20.3 x 25.4cm
Boyd - Marriott House 1 2013
oil & liquin on linen
20.3 x 25.4cm
Boyd - Marriott House 2 2013
oil & liquin on linen
20.3 x 25.4cm
DCM - Wilson House 2013
oil & liquin on linen
30.5 x 25.4cm
Kundig Cabin 2013
oil & liquin on linen
15.2 x 15.2cm
Godsell - Glenburn House 2013
oil & liquin on linen
15.2 x 15.2cm
