'The Tyranny of the Blank Canvas. Revisited.’

Pete Gailey

Denise Delaney

Robyn Porter

Chris Campbell

Naomi Norris

'The Tyranny of the Blank Canvas.’ Is about the trauma the artist has before they make their first mark on a blank canvas.

Opening 2pm Sunday - 20th July 2025

Denise Delaney

Three years since my last exhibition at this Gladstone Art Gallery. Last time the inspiration was the bushfires painted in Paynes Grey, Marroons, Red and Vermillions.

This time it is about the flooding rains, the water, in the Pthalo Blues, Pthalo Greens and Whites. I’ve also been playing with contrasts.

OF Red and Green Of Blue and Orange and Of Yellow and Purple.

I have also been slightly obsessed with the marks made by drying froth and on the sand and in my coffee cup. I love the beauty of a jewelled sea, which feels a bit like Dorothea MacKeller, and the love of her and My Country.

The sentinel figures are related to my fears, of a chaotic world.

Of Spirit Guides, who watch over me, and maybe also protecting me.

Are they real? Dunno. But I will continue to believe in them.

Pete Gailey "For me it's about letting go of doubt, to trust my instinct, to attack the blank canvas with the chaos of a loose arm drawing from the shoulder, drawing fearlessly. Overcoming the fear by making marks.

pete gailey

Each mark made is a step into the unknown , each mark tells a story, capturing emotion and letting creativity flow freely. Letting go of doubt and insecurities, exploring shape and line without hesitationand embracing the unknown, until the chaos unfolds and beauty emerges.”

pete gailey

pete gailey

Here are some photos of work in progress. I’m running two themes at the moment, 'Landscapes obscured by cloud’ and 'Expressive portraits made with a burnt stick.'

pete gailey

pete gailey

ROBYN PORTER