Art Hall 25 is the latest exhibition heading to the Gosford Regional Gallery’s Community Gallery.
Set to open on Thursday, August 21, the annual show brings together a curated collection from 20 accomplished local artists, showcasing diversity in style, medium and subject.
Paul Haggith, a founding member of the Art Hall Group, says the collective formed over 30 years ago through a shared commitment to figurative drawing and pooling resources.
“Hiring halls and models is cheaper as a group, but the main driver is the art,” he said.
Known for his large-scale cityscapes and water scenes, Haggith often paints en plein air.
“Painting outdoors gives immediacy, but if you haven’t studied life drawing, figures look stiff,” he said.
Many of his works feature people immersed in water.
He regularly exhibits in the Gosford Art Prize, Sulman and Wynne prize exhibitions.
Haggith also embraces digital painting on iPad as a way to make art more accessible.
“They still take hours and multiple layers, but I’m happy to print these,” he said.
“Prints are more affordable; I don’t like photographic reproductions of my traditionally painted pieces.
“I want to make art that people can live with and sit with.
“Like classical music—you can return to it again and again.”
Also on show will be work by newcomer Angela Brennan née Lysytsya, who was welcomed by the collective.
“This group is so kind,” she said.
“Even as a new member, they’ve encouraged my painting and drawing.”
Brennan brings a rich background as a fashion designer, costume designer and stylist in Ukrainian film, theatre, and music video.
She ran a successful studio in Kyiv, with clients such as Ukraine’s Eurovision and Miss Universe competitors.
“I worked with a lot of Russian stars and Ukrainian stars, at a time when the countries were friendly,” she said.
Now living on the Central Coast, Brennan said her recent painting, A Tired Young Mom’s Dream, offers a poignant blend of figurative art and allegory.
“There’s always an element of fantasy in my work,” she said.
“I want people to see the world as their creation.”
She paints with gouache, often referred to as opaque watercolour.
“I love the colours, but it is a challenging medium as it dries very quickly,” she said.
Art Hall 25 runs from Thursday, August 21, to Wednesday, September 3, with an opening night celebration on Friday, August 22, at 6 pm.
Throughout the free exhibition, the Art Hall Group will also present public demonstrations and artist talks.
Ivona Rose
