Natural Oddity is up and running at Artspace Mackay and the exhibition showcases Tom’s worlds within worlds.
Installing this show was a joy. The team at Artspace was enthusiastic and energetic and they possibly weren’t prepared for our tinsel jokes to become reality!
The set up went smoothly and the opening was fun. Tom did an artist talk the following day, as well as leading a drawing workshop. The Drawing Competition continues, with the first winner having already been picked, and two more to go within the duration of the show. There’ll be a separate post once all three have been made.
There are very distinct areas in this installation that interact with each other but all have their own personalities. Some of the set up are old faves that have been reconfigured with new work- the road, the pond, the shelves. Some have been waiting to be shown, such as Bizarre Love Triangle and Koala Island, both which are shown with prints that play with the scale of the objects.
Koala Island being looked on by Moon Boy, printed scenes and the Natural Oddity animation.
There is a curved diorama installation in the middle of the room with three panels depicting very different scenes, each featuring multiple pieces of glass rotating on turntables. In the foreground is Puffer Baby, a mutant glass creature hanging out near some glass fronds.
Some shady birds with hammers, overseeing various glass dome creatures, including Ancestral Helmet making an appearance under the plinth.
Shelf life on a wall looking right and left at two animations, plus new sphinxes.
A Chorus of Wonders flanked by the pieces featured in the animation, on fresh looking tartan plinths.
And on the other side of Shelf Life I Notice Birds with the helmet that was used in the film.
Small pieces with small bunting.
The road in all it’s dirt and bunted glory, with Autoganic and Autoganic II playing nearby on the screen, overseen by a suspended shark and a slew of sentient clouds.
Tom loves to paint in the gallery, on the plinths, on the walls. These paintings are enhanced by glass fliers and raindrops and inspired by the location of the exhibition.
In this case, a Curlew got pride of place, as there was one where we were staying!
Special thanks to Venita Mooney @ochrelensbyvenita for the photos she took, the title picture and images: 1, 2, 7,9,10, 11, 12, 14, plus the family shots that were great fun and will be treasured.
