Night Blossom is the first solo exhibition by two-time Archibald finalist, Catherine McGuiness. Spreading through the entire bottom floor of Mosman Art Gallery, Catherine’s vibrant works gleamed like jewels in the night.
The exhibition comprised of a collection of large scale paintings, work on paper and a dinner table setting (created with support from Mud Australia, Kil.n.it Ceramics Studio and Digital Fabrics) that perpetually awaited for guests to arrive. This festive exhibition was an invitation into aspects of Catherine’s world. It was a generous offering to her community and a much welcomed space of wonder.
Night Blossom ran from Saturday 18, May until Sunday 28, July, 2024 at Mosman Art Gallery.
"I made this exhibition with Shan. Shan is a lovely person, I love him with all my heart, and I had a great time working with him. We made plates and candelabras, we made them with our hands and I painted them with all the colours of the rainbow.
I made big new paintings with Shan. I worked on the floor, with my shoes off, and used long brushes. I painted love hearts and flowers, I painted them because I love them, they make me happy. I also painted Tinkerbell, because I love fairies. I felt happy making these artworks.
I love my artworks and I think it will make people feel happy. I hope people will love it. Please have fun looking at my artworks." – Catherine McGuiness.
Exhibition curator Shan Turner-Carroll went on to say, "Catherine is enthusiastic and caring and her magical energy is infectious to anyone who meets her, especially those on a dance floor. I say this because it's clear to see these same attributes infuse her art practice. There is an unselfconscious power to her work that seems to mimic these personality traits.
Her creative force is not bound by the edges of the canvas but leaps off into the world, like a person who fearlessly jumps first into the pool. You can imagine exactly what she looks like when she is painting. Her body's movements and gestures, caught in time, mimicked in the robust marks of the paintings. They are generous, certain, and playful.
This is the first time Catherine has worked on such a scale, and it is clear that she was born to paint. She lives and breathes art and I can see that it's through the act of art making that she expresses her lust for life. Thank you for this adventure Catherine, here's to many more."
Photography by Jacquie Manning
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