Craig McKeough, Author at Seesawmag

Merrick Belyea, Brigadoon, oil on board, 5 panels. Each panel 122.5 x 91.5cm, image courtesy of artist. Three abstract works, painted in rich earthy tones. A well-deserved win for Belyea

Reviews

A well-deserved win for Belyea

1 December 2021

In an impressive field, it’s the confidence of experience that distinguishes Merrick Belyea’s work, writes Craig McKeough.

Leith Alexander, 'Gold Chain, Soft Curls', 2020, Hahnemühle FineArt, 58 x 83 cm, $670, Framed, Edition 1 of 10 A young man holds the leg of a sheep, presumably to shear it. He is the focus of the picture, the sheep is out of focus. He sports a golden, curly mullet, with the top and sides shaved. He wears a gold chain around his neck and a singlet that is hot pink and black. Photos capture this extraordinary moment in time

Reviews

Photos capture this extraordinary moment in time

7 October 2021

In spite of leaning towards tradition in some respects, the IRIS Award 2021 makes for a compelling survey of contemporary photography in Australia and beyond, Craig McKeogh finds.

Reviews

Cornucopia of craft surprises and delights

5 October 2021

Ambitious and diverse, Fremantle Arts Centre’s instalment of ‘IOTA21: Curiosity and Rituals of the Everyday’ is a seamless continuation of the celebration of contemporary craft that began at John Curtin Gallery, discovers Craig McKeough.

Yee I-Lann, (Malaysia), Pangkis, 2021, single channel video, duration 9 minute 30 second loop, Image courtesy of artist. A group of seven men are dancing, their heads linked together by a tangle of wires. Celebration of craft is a stunner

Reviews

Celebration of craft is a stunner

22 September 2021

The first of the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial’s centrepiece exhibitions weaves together the disparate cultures of the Indian Ocean rim in ways that Craig McKeough finds profound.

Untitled (Landscape), 2021, various ceramics and found objects, dimensions vary. Photo: Holly O'Meehan A series of rock-like objects with mossy or seaweed like growths sprouting from them. Smaller scattered stones surround the larger rocks. When nature fights back

Reviews

When nature fights back

14 July 2021

The place of human beings in the ecosystem hierarchy is questioned in two clever exhibitions at Goolugatup/Heathcote Gallery, and Craig McKeough is intrigued.

Tyrown Waigara HERO SHOT A Nice Place to Hate Yourself (2021) (61 cm W x 51 cm H x 4 cm D) copy 2 An acrylic painting in vibrant yellows, pinks and reds. The work is abstract but images are recognisable, such as a house, a pair of eyes, a ladder. Some objects are on their side, playing with our perspective. Take a walk on the dark side

Reviews

Take a walk on the dark side

1 June 2021

Bringing their dark sides into the light, artists provide viewers with a tantalising glimpse inside their creative minds in ‘The Dark Side’ exhibition, writes Craig McKeough.

Bruce Denny. Photo: Duncan Wright Bruce Denny stands in a shaft of light, one hand raised as though trying to block the glare. In the background is a corrugated fence. Arts energy left untapped

Features

Arts energy left untapped

24 May 2021

The 2021/2022 Federal Budget includes $223 million for the arts. But will it be enough to airlift the ailing sector to recovery?

Nicholas Carter, Wesley College, 'Dad' 2020, graphite on paper, two parts: 104.5 x 80 cm each (framed) Two black and white portraits of a man, one of the back of his head, one of his face. He is bald and looks to be about 50 years old. He looks calm and serious. Quality not quantity for the win

Reviews

Quality not quantity for the win

17 May 2021

This year’s “Pulse Perspectives” may be smaller in size than usual but the result is a treat, says Craig McKeough.

Reviews

But nothing is as it seems

1 March 2021

The startlingly realistic sculptures and installations by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah in ‘Everything Is True’ issue a challenge to apply our own versions of the truth to them, Craig McKeough writes.

Jade O'Sullivan & Olive, 'Kaartijin'; 'Land Bridge', framed acrylic on canvas, 950 mm x 950 mm each. Image courtesy of Mayma Awaida. A close up of a detail of Jade O'Sullivan & Olive's 'Kaartijin'. In the background is 'Land Bridge' by the same artists. Both pictures are acrylic paint on canvas, brightly, even garishly coloured. The foregrounded image is an abstract picture of a First Nations woman. Her body is adorned with colourful discs with geometric patterns on them. Next to her is the face of another person, with a face painted in multiple colours. Local artists enjoy the spotlight

Reviews

Local artists enjoy the spotlight

25 February 2021

Thanks to the pandemic, a broader range of local artists have been given the opportunity to present work at Perth Festival this year, resulting in two interesting and challenging exhibitions, writes Craig McKeough.

Always was, always will be…

Seesaw respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we live and work, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation and their elders, past, present and emerging. Continue

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Seesaw respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we live and work, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation and their elders, past, present and emerging.
Continue