Elle Campbell, darling of Australia's fashion and creative set, is launching her latest striking body of artworks in an exhibition entitled RAINBOW OPAL ROCKS. In this bold, coming of age exhibition, this exciting early-career artist presents her signature over-sized silk works in bold hues and finishes, using a range of exciting mediums, from enamel and acrylic paint to chalks and oil pastels.
Campbell's fifth solo exhibition, RAINBOW OPAL ROCKS follows four sell out solo exhibitions. It opens on 14 October 2017 and is showing until 31 October at Ferguson Foundry in Maylands, WA, a custom built creative space. The Gallery Director Leonardo Flavel had askEd Campbell to showcase on the same night as he is exhibiting a renaissance of artworks and poetry reflective of Studio281 Gallery's success. With the calibre and experience of artist Flavel has worked with over the years, Campbell practice and person is said to be a rare entity.
Each art work will be custom framed in the collector's choice of bespoke RAINBOW OPAL ROCKS metal frames or raw Eucalyptus timber. These frames pay homage to the content and narrative of the new works, a collaboration with the Ferguson Foundry's own Leonardo Flavel and brother Lorenzo Flavel. Campbell says:
"We wanted to offer something different. The buyer is able to fall in love with their own silk panel and curate a frame to suit their own personal interiors and surroundings, whether it be the beautiful bespoke RAINBOW OPAL ROCKS metal frames or my go-to raw Eucalyptus framing. Ultimately, each frame is as considered as each mark painted."The launch of RAINBOW OPAL ROCKS comes at an exciting time for Campbell. She was recently selected as a finalist in the prestigious BLACK SWAN Prize for Portraiture (2017), one of Australia's richest portraiture prizes with a $50,000 prize, exhibited in the Art Gallery of WA. Campbell's piece is an evocative, large scale silk portrait of renowned Western Australian fashion creative and STYLEAID icon Aly May: www.blackswanprize.com.au
Campbell has also recently opened her stunning gallery space in the heart of West Perth. The gallery is a breathtaking light-filled 1900's character building, with high ceilings, original ornate pressed tin ceilings and plenty of space for Campbell's signature large-scale works. With a rich creative history (the space has been home to artisans of various types over the past century) Campbell intends for the gallery to be a creative hub. The gallery houses Campbell's painting space and is the venue for Campbell's weekly life-drawing classes. The incredible space is also available for private hire.
Background
Having graduated from Fashion and Textile Design in 2015, Campbell has merged her love of textiles into her artistic works. Campbell's works are all painted on fabric - most often specifically sourced silks and linens. Her love of fashion has seen Campbell take her place in the creative industry, cementing her position with an exciting list of initiatives and collaborations.
These include:In terms of her subject matter, much of Campbell's art is influenced by her upbringing on a West Australian farm, spanning from the bright white sand of Lancelin's coastline and stretching further inland to Dandaragan's wheatbelt. The daughter of a farmer and a creative arts teacher, her formative years saw her develop a love of the land, a passion for the creative arts and a work ethic that is second to none.
Elle Campbell is passionate about collaborating with fellow creatives and nurturing emerging designers and artists. In the campaign imagery available, Campbell is wearing new graduate Perth designers MATANGI and KEITH SIM, as well as Campbell's own hand painted silk garments. Styling by Luke Meakins, photography by Chantel Concei, hair by Lee Preston Hairdressing and Small Batch Hair, and makeup by long-time friend Courtney Therry of TXC Collective.
RAINBOW OPAL ROCKS
Opening Night 14 Oct 2017 | 6pm
On show 15 - 31 Oct
Ferguson Foundry
281 Guilford Road, Maylands 6051
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