Criss Canning at Smith & Singer, Sydney: My aim is always to create something of Beauty.

Criss-Canning--The-Pursuit-of-Beauty--new-paintings-at-Smith-and-Singer-Melbourne-Jan-2023

Art Calendar, 15 January 2023

About the recently ended exhibition Criss Canning at Smith & Singer, Melbourne:

My aim is always to create something of Beauty.

For those who couldn't make it to the exhibition, the book, Criss Canning: The Pursuit of Beauty is still available on Amazon.

Criss Canning in her atelier at Lambley Nursery ©Criss Canning

©Criss Canning

15 January 2023: Smith & Singer, Melbourne dedicated an exhibition to one of Australia's most important contemporary artists. Criss Canning is known worldwide for her meticulous floral still lifes, executed in a unique and outstanding contemporary style. Canning's work is in the National Gallery of Australia and in museums and private collections worldwide. She finds inspiration for her flowers at Lambley Nursery, a 40-acre flower garden she maintains with her husband David Glenn, known for its incredible selection of dry climate plants; reminiscent of Monet's Giverny. Her book, Criss Canning: The Pursuit of Beauty is still available on Amazon.

Speaking to Alethea Mag, Criss Cannings announced on the occasion of her exhibition:

My last exhibition December 2022 was the product of two years work, and my continued love for the genre of Still Life. This has been my passion for the past thirty seven years, and one I never tire of. For me it is the most exciting subject matter.

Many of the comments I received from those visiting my exhibition, were in relation to my use of colour. Colour is one of the main reasons I paint, and also why my preferred medium is oil paint. The intensity and jewelled quality one can achieve in this medium is for me unparalleled. My inspiration for colour right from the beginning of my painting career, fifty seven years ago, has always been the observation of the Natural World. It is here that we see colour combinations that often shouldn’t work, but are presented to us in such perfect balance that they leave us in awe.

It is my belief that we will never completely understand colour with its myriad of complexities. Over the past decade my fascination with grouped objects as subject matter, has continued to grow… this began with a triptych of still life inspired by a dream. I had placed thirteen objects in each of the compositions, unconsciously in the beginning, but then intrigued as to why this number seemed to work so well.

Many of the paintings in this last show have continued with this theme, one in particular being named “ Still Life with Thirteen Objects”. I never work towards a particular theme for my exhibitions, preferring to let the work develop in an organic way , leading me.

Now aged seventy five, and with a career as an artist spanning fifty seven years, I find my approach to be very different to when I was young. Now it is more about quiet contemplation, a slower more mediative approach, each work being allowed to develop at its own pace , given the time it needs to fully express what inspired and excited me at the beginning . My aim is always to create something of Beauty.

Criss Canning. crisscanning.com.au

©Criss Canning

Muelle de la Batería s/n, A Coruña, Galicia

"Steven Meisel 1993 A Year in Photographs en A Coruña"

©Justin Paquay

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Der Moment

The Visit of Trash People Circular Valley Forum Ansgar Van Treeck

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Prince Harry at the games ©IG23

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David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) ©Lightroom

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Monet at Art Cologne 2022 ©Rose Fedi

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Freedom Quilt, currently on display at the International Slavery Museum ©Pete Carr

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The Fashion Awards 2022 at Royal Albert Hall, London, December 5th 2022 Credit: British Fashion Council

@MaisonValentino

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Isabelle de Borchgrave © Courtesy of the artist - Photo/Foto: Jean-Pierre GABRIEL

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Stuart Semples colour Placebo ©Stuart Semple Studio

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HA Schult in Matera ©HA Schult

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