This group exhibition highlights the beauty found in natural and man-made environments.
Through the urban photography of Jon Saroglu and Jackie Winkelman, we admire the constructed elements of freeways, shipping containers, historical buildings and the architecture of Boroondara. In contrast, the organic forms of flowers and beautiful riverscapes have been depicted through the paintings of Shani Alexander, Tim Lane and Justine Siedle.
'Natural Constructs' identifies synergies in colour, pattern and form across our built environment and natural surroundings.
Featuring: Shani Alexander, Tim Lane, Jon Saroglu, Justine Siedle and Jackie Winkelman.
‘Natural Constructs’ was on display at Town Hall Gallery from Tuesday 13 April until Saturday 22 May 2021.
Banner image credit: Jackie Winkelman, detail from 'Desolate', 2019, photographic print, 88 x 143.5cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Exhibition photography
Browse the exhibition by scrolling through the image carousel below.
Installation view of 'Natural Constructs' at Town Hall Gallery.
Installation view of 'Natural Constructs' at Town Hall Gallery.
Installation view of 'Natural Constructs' at Town Hall Gallery.
Installation view of 'Natural Constructs' at Town Hall Gallery.
Installation view of 'Natural Constructs' at Town Hall Gallery.
Installation view of 'Natural Constructs' at Town Hall Gallery.
Installation view of 'Natural Constructs' at Town Hall Gallery.
Installation view of 'Natural Constructs' at Town Hall Gallery.
Works by the artists
Jackie Winkelman
Jackie Winkelman is a fine art photographer with a keen interest in contemporary urban and industrial landscapes.
Viewing the world around her through the eye of the graphic artist, she captures scenes and elements that are bold, textural, and colourful - freeways, carparks, shipping containers, concrete, signs, buildings.
Winkelman says ‘I enjoy working with direct bright light to create strong shadows on the one hand but juxtapose that with dark, ominous skies that create intense mood and a sense of mystery. There is a stillness and harshness in the environment of my work but always with a hint of life.’
‘Natural Constructs’ features a series of Winkelman’s urban worlds that appear realistic yet surreal at the same time.
Jackie Winkelman, ‘Changi No. 1’, 2019, limited edition signed photographic print on 310 gsm Cotton Fibre Rag using UV stable inks, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Jackie Winkelman, ‘Desolate’, 2019, limited edition signed photographic print on 310 gsm Cotton Fibre Rag using UV stable inks, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Jackie Winkelman, ‘Urban Hen No.1’, 2020, limited edition signed photographic print on 310 gsm Cotton Fibre Rag using UV stable inks, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Jackie Winkelman, ‘Maggie No.1’, 2020, limited edition signed photographic print on 310 gsm Cotton Fibre Rag using UV stable inks, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Jackie Winkelman, ‘Yellow Bridge’, 2020, limited edition signed photographic print on 310 gsm Cotton Fibre Rag using UV stable inks, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Jackie Winkelman, ‘Dock No.4’, 2020, limited edition signed photographic print on 310 gsm Cotton Fibre Rag using UV stable inks, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Jackie Winkelman, ‘Dock No.1’, 2020, limited edition signed photographic print on 310 gsm Cotton Fibre Rag using UV stable inks, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Jackie Winkelman, ‘Dock No.3’, 2020, limited edition signed photographic print on 310 gsm Cotton Fibre Rag using UV stable inks, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Jackie Winkelman, ‘Swan Lake No.1, 2020, limited edition signed photographic print on 310 gsm Cotton Fibre Rag using UV stable inks, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Jackie Winkelman, ‘Little Pied Cormorant’, 2020, limited edition signed photographic print on 310 gsm Cotton Fibre Rag using UV stable inks, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Shani Alexander
As an artist, entrepreneur and workplace chaplain, Shani Alexander is known for her joie de vivre.
In an expressionistic style Alexander paints with a boldness that flaunts her joy of living, grabbing life by both hands in celebration. The essence of her work is its signature explosion of unashamed colour and vibrancy in large pieces to raise people’s spirit, capturing life through her understanding of the human spirit. The healing power of Alexander’s message is that colour can help you rise above the ordinary and provide an uplifting beat to the very heart of your home.
‘I paint beautiful bold voluptuous flowers and en masse they have a power to uplift - I see flowers as metaphors for the stages of a woman’s life, the burdens and joys she carries, the healing power of colour and the sheer joy of a powerful bloom’ says Alexander.
Shani Alexander, ‘Good Friday’, 2019, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Shani Alexander, ‘Easter Monday’, 2019, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Shani Alexander, ‘Thank you lock-down 1’, 2020, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Shani Alexander, ‘Thank you lock-down 2’, 2020, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Shani Alexander, ‘Poppy Magic 1’, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Shani Alexander, ‘Poppy Magic 2’, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Justine Siedle
Justine Siedle and Tim Lane painted together on the banks of the Yarra River in the Boroondara area to create their works for ‘Natural Constructs’.
Focusing on the central motif of the river, their paintings capture the play of light on the water, the reflections caught with brush strokes and colour, suggesting different seasons and weather.
Working en plein air, Siedle sometime elaborates on the initial findings imaginatively in her studio. She is drawn to signs of life and activity, such as people running along the river or boating. ‘It was a dynamic place to be. The stillness of these pictures was sometimes in contrast with what was happening - as there were many young people doing rowing training or recreational boat sports such as what looked like kayak water polo. Also, there were noisy Kookaburras laughing most afternoons. These pictures have captured the tranquillity the river allows. I did observe many people feeling just that while they were floating by’ describes Siedle.
Justine Siedle, ‘Boats on the Yarra coming around the corner’, 2021, oil on linen, 35.5 x 45.6cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Justine Siedle, ‘Boat on the Yarra (near Chandler Bridge)’, 2021, oil on linen, 35.5 x 45.6cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Justine Siedle, ‘Yellow Boat on the Yarra overlooking Kew’, 2021, oil on linen, 30.5 x 35.5cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Justine Siedle, ‘A New World emerges while an Old World disappears. On the Hill in Kew’, 2021, oil on linen, 40.5 x 51cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Justine Siedle, ‘The Towers viewed from the Hill in Kew’, 2021, oil on linen, 40.5 x 51cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Justine Siedle, ‘The Trees on the Hill in Kew, 2021, oil on linen, 40.5 x 51cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Justine Siedle, ‘Runners on the Track, Yarra Reserve, Hawthorn’, 2021, oil on linen, 45.5 x 35.5cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Justine Siedle, ‘Row Boat on the Yarra overlooking Kew’, 2021, oil on linen, 51 x 35cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Tim Lane
In contrast to Justine Siedle, Tim Lane paints entirely en plein air and focuses exclusively on the environment and natural forms.
Returning to the river over the summer holidays in early 2020 and 2021, Lane’s works captured a different atmosphere each time. The works created in 2020 have a hazy and slightly more subdued palette, as the environment was affected by the bushfires over the 2019 to 2020 summer.
Tim Lane, ‘Untitled 1’, 2020, oil on linen, 36 x 46cm, framed, image courtesy of the artist.
Tim Lane, ‘Untitled 2’, 2020, oil on linen, 41 x 46cm, framed, image courtesy of the artist.
Tim Lane, ‘Untitled 3’, 2020, oil on linen, 56 x 66cm, framed, image courtesy of the artist.
Tim Lane, ‘Untitled 4’, 2020, oil on linen, 51 x 61cm, framed, image courtesy of the artist.
Tim Lane, ‘Untitled 5’, 2021, oil on linen, 51 x 61cm, framed, image courtesy of the artist.
Tim Lane, ‘Untitled 6’, 2021, oil on linen, 41 x 51cm, framed, image courtesy of the artist.
Tim Lane, ‘Untitled 7’, 2021, oil on linen, 51 x 61cm, framed, image courtesy of the artist.
Tim Lane, ‘Untitled 8’, 2021, oil on linen, 51 x 61cm, framed, image courtesy of the artist.
Jon Saroglu
Jon Saroglu uses his photography of architecture to capture moments in time, and to tell stories of places, artistically exploring visual depth and detail of craftsmanship, sculpture and ornamental design.
‘As a Visual Artist I am inspired by the workmanship and craftsmanship of ornaments on significant or insignificant historical buildings’ says Saroglu.
For ‘Natural Constructs’ he presents a series of striking black and white photographs that capture ornamental details on historical buildings in Boroondara.
John Saroglu, ‘The Terricks 1’, black and white printed photograph, 59.4cm x 42cm, image courtesy of the artist.
John Saroglu, ‘Auburn Tower’, black and white printed photograph, 59.4cm x 42cm, image courtesy of the artist.
John Saroglu, ‘William Wolf 1’, black and white printed photograph, 59.4cm x 42cm, image courtesy of the artist.
John Saroglu, ‘Theatre Place’, black and white printed photograph, 59.4cm x 42cm, image courtesy of the artist.
John Saroglu, ‘Lion Rubberworks’, black and white printed photograph, 42 x 59.4cm, image courtesy of the artist.
John Saroglu, ‘William Wolf 2’, black and white printed photograph, 42 x 59.4cm, image courtesy of the artist.
John Saroglu, ‘The Terricks 2’, black and white printed photograph, 32.9 x 32.9cm, image courtesy of the artist.
John Saroglu, ‘Camberwell Basilica’, black and white printed photograph, 32.9 x 32.9cm, image courtesy of the artist.