Morgan Williams
I think it might be possible to consider there are three types of art practice. While I agree there’s a myriad of ways to express artistically and a multitude of art forms and styles, I’m thinking more about intention and purpose in the simple three-category idea. The broad categories I’d like us to ponder are Replication, Experimentation and Ideation. Let’s elaborate on these for a moment.
1 Replication: Most artists begin here – learning to respond to objects in the real world by copying their physical form in some way. This might also include adopting stylistic elements from various art movements, exploring techniques and ideas that have gone before and even developing a new style based on these things and replicating them uniquely until perfection. Some artists stay in this space – it remains comfortable and can provide some income, especially if the style or works become popular and recognised as theirs.
2 Experimentation: This is often done via play making and exploring a chosen form – using methods and mediums to create something new. Sometimes the process informs new ideas and a narrative emerges. Other times a purpose is already defined and is exploited creatively via materials which in turn becomes the purpose. I think this process is also common amongst crafts and materials led artistic practitioners. Many workshops and classes are based on this category. Through experimentation with materials new knowledge can be found. It is also ideal for feeding the soul and stoking the fire of internal well-being. What a bonus!
3 Ideation: This method is most easily defined as having an idea, a concept, taking an issue, or a cause and finding the best artistic medium to express and share your ideas. Creating art addressing your ideas may last a lifetime or endlessly change over time. Sometimes the messages are covert or implied. They can even form the basis of a PhD and ongoing research or constantly change and react to external forces like society, culture, the environment, other humans and the world generally. I think of this as art with purpose and meaning, often pushing creative boundaries and forging something entirely new.
And of course, there are artists that traverse all three types of art at various times. Someone like Andy Warhol is an example. He started by replicating and learning screen printing, moved to experimenting and pushing the medium via size, scale, colour and format. Then he incorporated plenty of ideation with his pop art series based on his ideas around consumerism, celebrity culture and mass production.
With this new lens in my mind, I’ve been seeing art a little differently of late. Recently I chatted with Sam Newstead, who is currently one of our resident artists at Radius. Sam told me she’s “a collector of landscapes” which I found intriguing. She stores them in her mind – an endless array of shapes, colours, textures and fragments of light, tree limbs and leaves all filed away. Initially a painter, Sam learned the art of replication; then, as a print maker. she discovered a whole new way to express her art practice.
“As a print maker I learned the craft and then broke the rules. I couldn’t achieve what I wanted artificially from mono prints. Then someone suggested why don’t you print like you paint. Everything changed! I discovered whole new ways. Working from dark to light, placing colour over colour. I’m still discovering – it feels like a lifelong pursuit.”
Sam’s creations are stunning. They are the result of many painstaking hours of layering and building up textures and shapes and colours slowly over time. Watching her work evolve reminds me of being in the dark room and seeing a photographic image emerge. We are super excited to see Sam’s new body of work walk up the Radius stairs from her studio and adorn our walls next month. Sam’s last exhibition was at Belco Arts in Canberra in 2023. This new body of work is her first solo show. Please join us on Saturday 14th June at 3pm for an official opening and a glass of bubbles to celebrate.
Of course there’s always lots of creative goodness happening at Radius, for a full run down head to our website. While your there sign up to our e-news and you will never miss a beat: www.radiusart.com.au
“Balliang” by Sam Newstead. Mono Print 2024.
Morgan Williams is the co-director with Kim Percy of Radius Art Space. His art practice spans a 30 year period and explores a diverse range of mediums and topics.
