Lately, it feels like there is a lot happening up on the Gold Coast – to us, anyways, or maybe its just that we are delving more into the area and there has always been a lot going on! Regardless, it feels like there is a whole bunch of artistic activity going on up there, and nothing makes us more happy than to put out news on new areas to check out.

The upcoming show, Drawn Forth, at Retrospect Galleries (which also has a presence in Byron Bay), purports that “The very act of drawing is when an artist is at his/her most vulnerable. It is the most pared back, spontaneous and intimate of all the visual art forms.  Its’ simplicity belies the fact that in the act of drawing there is nowhere to hide.”

This, with that in mind, the exhibition of illustrations and drawings will highlight “over twenty of our best drawers, [to] demonstrate the extraordinary length and breadth of this exquisite form of art.”

With a wealth of artists, both old and new, it looks to be a wonderful expose of some of the best illustrative talent in Australia today “The delicate and deliberate works of artists Courtney Brimms, Troy Archer Deb Mostert and Nick Batchelor never falter in their brave use of line and shadow. Pencil and pen take on animate form, and capture a realistic likeness of the object they are portraying, showing their skills by embracing realism but putting their own take on the subject matter.
Hannah Smith’s feminine and rhythmic works are almost translucent in their intricate patterns and give us a tantalising glimpse of the sublime. Twin sisters Christie and Kelly Turner work together in unique partnership where both draw on the same work at the same time to produce fashion inspired, soft but dynamic portrait works. And we also have the expressive drawings of Michelle Dawson in the time honoured tradition of the old masters. Dawson’s technical prowess in hard to surpass.”

Well, we love drawing, and we absolutely love shows like this (there have been quite a few illustration shows around the country lately, which is awesome)– so check it out if you’re around the GC this weekend!

Who: Celia Morgan, Christie and Kelly Turner, Courtney Brimms, Craig Martin, Dave Newman, Deb Mostert, Donna Malone, Emma Theyers, Fiona Kennedy-Altoft, Hannah Smith, John Smith, Kareena Zerefos, Katka Adams, Kellie O’Dempsey, Michelle Dawson, Nick Batchelor, Nikky Morgan-Smith, Ross Booker, Sam Creyton, Shayle Flesser, Simon Roots, Troy Archer, Zom Osborne
What: Drawn Forth group show
Where: Restrospect Galleries Queensland – Cnr Elizabeth Ave & Oracle Blvd (under the Green Fins) Broadbeach, QLD
When: Show opens Friday 15th July at 6pm, and runs til 28th July

Check out the Retrospect Gallery and the online catalogue of the show, as well as the Facebook event page!