When the World Was Young

When the World Was Young

Whangarei Art Museum presents When the World Was Young, works by Northland based artist Dave Beazley.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”
-Charles Darwin

Enter into a parallel world, where the laws of nature are reimagined by a cast of surreal characters from a fantastical story. Dave Beazley invites the viewer to be absorbed into a lost world of strange creatures and environments frozen in time, where surprises are waiting to be discovered in the smallest of details.

The exhibition includes a series of oil paintings and textile sculptures of otherworldly characters. Beazley draws from his daily observations or experiences that form the initial ideas for a work, where they are developed into a complex narrative. “It is important to me to shape a mood and atmosphere where the audience could feel lost yet comforted and completely absorbed by their surroundings.”

Beazley’s use of a pastel colour palette and illustrative style challenges the classical notion of oil painting, and explores the use of traditional techniques in a contemporary context. His seemingly effortless playful motifs hide the subtle changes of mood and emotion that the viewer encounters as they journey into the unknown. “I like the collision of an innocent colour palette with a sometimes sinister narrative.”

The exhibition is accompanied with a catalogue available for purchase, featuring an interview with the artist and a special edition original drawing by Dave Beazley. Limited number available.

ENDS

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