It is a virtual impossibility for me to walk away from a Michael Peck exhibition without wishing I had one of his works on my walls – if I was to have to really, really nail down my “favourite” artists, he would be right up there, there’s just … something. Something about the fantastical realism, something about the subjects he chooses, something about his technique, something that draws me in every single time I get the chance to see his work in the flesh (and believe me, the photos are nothing compared to actually viewing them!)

Next week, Michael opens up his next show at Metro Gallery, Love & Fear – and judging from the preview images, its going to be more than fantastic.

“Michael Peck’s most recent paintings are the beginning of a new body of work; developed during a three-month residency at Birrarung House in Melbourne’s fringe bush land. Inspired by the isolation of the surrounding landscape, the artist has reimagined the human experience within a familiar yet somewhat inexplicable environment.

The images draw on the iconography of landscape juxtaposed with figures engaged in an ambiguous mix of invented rituals and traditions. It is a landscape devoid of modern technology. A world detached from the world we know. Neither adhering tightly to either the past, present or future but, rather, one that could exist in any time. Acting as a metaphorical frontier, the scenes explore questions about survival and human adaptation.

The participants in the paintings are adorned with objects of symbolic significance and practical usefulness. Firewood is bound together, adorned with beads, woven rope, skulls and hunted game. Each of the objects is significant within the basic necessities of life and a reminder of death. The figures bodies and clothing also show the traces of modest primal markings; simple symbols of time passed and a counting down of days left.

These paintings are not supposed to be post-apocalyptic but rather a poetic attempt for the artist to make sense of his own anxieties, values and longings.

They deal with a love of everything sacred and the fear of losing it all.”

And, I have to say, the award for one of the most beautiful exhibition promo videos this year has to go to this one below. Amazing production and filming by Michael Danischewski, and it captures the feeling of Michael Pecks work intimately.

METRO GALLERY – Michael Peck “love and fear” from Michael Danischewski on Vimeo.

I’m going to temper my gushing enthusiasm, and just say – head there next week, and see it for yourself.

Who: Michael Peck
What: Love & Fear solo show
Where: Metro Gallery, 1214 High Street, Armadale, Victoria
When: Exhibition opens Thursday November 21st from 6:30pm til 8:30pm – show runs until December 14th.

Check out Metro Gallery and the Facebook event page for more info.