Press and Editorial
Roger Ackling [2006]
12 September 2006Annandale Galleries
» View Roger Ackling [2006] exhibition
When one first encounters the work of ROGER ACKLING the response is inevitably puzzling. Bits of wood with burned images on white walls. The label lists "sunlight on wood" as the medium. Sunlight on wood? Now the curiosity is aroused. The geometric burn marks are actually thousands of individual burn marks made by directing the suns rays through a magnifying glass. Ackling's relationship with the open air begins with finding his driftwood supports on long walks usually by the sea near his home in Norfolk. Picking up whatever catches his eye and returning to the studio, he waits for the familiarization process to take its course and an image to suggest itself. Then outdoors again, waiting for the sun to provide him the ?pigment? with which to work his magic.
The works cannot be categorized as sculpture, the images upon the wood have a close affinity to geometric painting and look a lot like drawing ? indeed the burn marks are literally a form of charcoal. The artist crosses from one medium to the next without settling on any of them. The works take a great deal of patience to execute and the making of them suggest almost a lifestyle, not just an art practice. With extended viewing the sensation is one of exquisite clarity amid the contrasts. The enigmatic history of the supports, the quality of execution and the spiritual power emanating from such a small format but monumental scale combine to nurture and engage the senses.
ROGER ACKLING?S practice has many affinities with both modern and recent contemporary art, from the found objects of Marcel Duchamp, the walks of Richard Long, the element of random chance and the intervention of the artist on sundry materials all play a part. An admiration for Eastern philosophy is evident in the meditative process.
This is ROGER ACKLING?S second solo exhibition at Annandale Galleries and he is the veteran of over 100 solo exhibitions resulting in work in public and private collections in UK, USA, Japan and Europe. And Australia. There is a suite of eight works in the Art Gallery NSW.
For further press information or visuals please contact Annandale Galleries
» View Roger Ackling [2006] exhibition
When one first encounters the work of ROGER ACKLING the response is inevitably puzzling. Bits of wood with burned images on white walls. The label lists "sunlight on wood" as the medium. Sunlight on wood? Now the curiosity is aroused. The geometric burn marks are actually thousands of individual burn marks made by directing the suns rays through a magnifying glass. Ackling's relationship with the open air begins with finding his driftwood supports on long walks usually by the sea near his home in Norfolk. Picking up whatever catches his eye and returning to the studio, he waits for the familiarization process to take its course and an image to suggest itself. Then outdoors again, waiting for the sun to provide him the ?pigment? with which to work his magic.
The works cannot be categorized as sculpture, the images upon the wood have a close affinity to geometric painting and look a lot like drawing ? indeed the burn marks are literally a form of charcoal. The artist crosses from one medium to the next without settling on any of them. The works take a great deal of patience to execute and the making of them suggest almost a lifestyle, not just an art practice. With extended viewing the sensation is one of exquisite clarity amid the contrasts. The enigmatic history of the supports, the quality of execution and the spiritual power emanating from such a small format but monumental scale combine to nurture and engage the senses.
ROGER ACKLING?S practice has many affinities with both modern and recent contemporary art, from the found objects of Marcel Duchamp, the walks of Richard Long, the element of random chance and the intervention of the artist on sundry materials all play a part. An admiration for Eastern philosophy is evident in the meditative process.
This is ROGER ACKLING?S second solo exhibition at Annandale Galleries and he is the veteran of over 100 solo exhibitions resulting in work in public and private collections in UK, USA, Japan and Europe. And Australia. There is a suite of eight works in the Art Gallery NSW.
For further press information or visuals please contact Annandale Galleries