Julian Meagher‘s latest new body of work explores the concept of inherited history. ‘My uncle was a matador in Spain in the ’60s, he features in this show alongside my cousin, wearing his original suit of light’ says Julian. The artist’s distinctive luminous still life compositions depicting reclaimed bottles and foraged plant life are paired with these striking portraits – upended bottles, some balanced lip to lip like hourglasses, reference the passage of time.
Since we last spoke with Julian, he’s moved his studio into a new warehouse in Marrickville, which he shares with some of our other FAVE Sydney artists, such as Laura Jones, and Guy Maestri. ‘A good space doesn’t always mean the work is going to be better, but it seems to have helped in this series, or maybe it is just the quality coffee that Guido (Guy) makes each day’ says Julian. (We can certainly attest to Guy’s meticulous coffee making process!).
Beyond this show, Julian is looking forward to exhibiting at Sydney Contemporary (Sydney’s main art fair) in September with Olsen Irwin Gallery, and then a solo show at Edwina Corlette Gallery in Brisbane in November.
‘It sounds cliche, but I am actually looking forward to making more work, I feel like there is a lot more to say in this series. I have had a few mini breakthroughs recently and keen to see where they are going to lead’ says Julian. ‘I am also desperate to get a dog, so I have someone to discuss things with each day’ he adds!
Drinking with the Other Sun by Julian Meagher
22nd April to 10th May 2015
Olsen Irwin Gallery
63 Jersey Road
Woollahra, NSW
Julian is represented by Olsen Irwin in Sydney and Edwina Corlette in Brisbane.
