Art

Art/Vert

Today, we’re thrilled to let you know about a special project happening in Sydney this week – extra-special, in fact, because this beautiful little exhibition has been curated by our very own Sydney contributor, Amber Creswell Bell!

Art/Vert is a unique exhibition which combines Amber’s two loves – art and plants.  Bringing together the work of ten talented artists and makers, the exhibition runs until this Sunday February 8th. Our Sydney based Gardens columnist, Georgina Reid, gives us the lowdown.

 

Written
by
Georgina Reid

Art/Vert – an art exhibition inspired by plants, curated by Amber Creswell Bell, and hosted at Saint Cloche Gallery in Paddington, Sydney until this Sunday Feb 8th.  Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Art/Vert – an art exhibition inspired by plants, curated by Amber Creswell Bell at Saint Cloche Gallery in Paddington, Sydney until this Sunday Feb 8th.  Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Artworks by Sydney artist Ali Wood at Art/Vert.  Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Artworks by Sydney artist Ali Wood at Art/Vert.  Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Handprinted cyanotypes by Alison Fraser at Art/Vert.  Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Art/Vert – an art exhibition inspired by plants, curated by Amber Creswell Bell at Saint Cloche Gallery in Paddington, Sydney until Sunday Feb 8th.  In the foreground, an installation of vivid blue sculptural works by Sydney artist and ceramicist Alex Standen.  Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Handcrafted vessels by Sydney ceramicist Tara Burke at Art/Vert.  Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The artists!  From left – Luisa Brimble, Evi O, Michelle Morcos, Tara Burke, Alex Standen, Emily Besser, Amber Creswell Bell (curator), Fiona Chandler, Ali Wood, Alison Fraser (absent – Drew Truslove). Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Alison Fraser, Tara Burke and Evi O at Saint Cloche Gallery in Paddington (oh Sydney, so leafy, so pretty!). Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Art/Vert curator and organiser Amber Creswell Bell, pictured at Saint Cloche Gallery in Paddington.  Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Plants at Art/Vert. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Writer
Georgina Reid
2nd of February 2015

Amber Creswell Bell is passionate about two things: Art and plants. After pondering how she could involve herself in a project fusing her two loves, she serendipitously bumped into Kitty Wong, owner of new Paddington gallery Saint Cloche. Amber pitched her idea of an exhibition of art about plants, in a gallery overflowing with greenery and Kitty loved it. Art/Vert was born!

The concept behind the exhibition is the idea of the plant as muse. Amber says, ‘While plants as a subject matter are common, individual artists interpretations are often wildly different. The artist brief was loosely plant life – which has been answered both explicitly and tacitly. Ultimately though, I wanted to be flexible and not too prescriptive!’

Art/Vert features the work of 10 local artists including painters Emily Besser, Ali Wood, Michele Morcos, Drew Truslove, and Fiona Chandler, ceramicists Alex Standen, Alison Fraser and Tara Burke, photographer Luisa Brimble, and the loveliest little illustrator around, Evi O.

The artists were hand picked by Amber – either she had purchased some of their work for herself, collaborated with them in the past, or written about them. Each artist is contributing between three and thirteen pieces to the group show.

Of course, it doesn’t end with the art. Amber was really keen to incorporate a tangible, living element to the exhibition – plants! For Art/Vert Saint Cloche will be decked out in potted greenery, all for sale too!

‘Any one who knows me knows I put plants everywhere. For Art/Vert they add a physically lush aesthetic, which compliments the artworks and make the space feel really inviting. Now more than ever people want to bring plants indoors – so I’m bringing plants to the people!’

Art/Vert is the launch event for Saint Cloche gallery and concept space. There will also be a Sensory Lab coffee bar on site. Caffeine, plants, and art. Does it get any better than that?!

Art/Vert at Saint Cloche Gallery
Saturday 31 January until Sunday 8 February
37 Macdonald Street, Paddington, NSW

Open 10am – 5pm daily

How beautiful does this space look!  Art/Vert at Saint Cloche Gallery, until Feb 8th. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

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