Perth based artist Campbell Whyte is getting ready to hold his first Perth exhibition since returning from two international residencies.
His latest exhibition, “in dreams i”, continues the unique visual language first displayed in his graduate installation “the floating world” which was met with praise by Judith McGrath.
Campbell has exhibited in over sixteen shows since 2005 with highlights being his inclusion in the 2007 Adultshop Erotic Art Competition, a solo exhibition at FreeRange Gallery and a collaborative exhibitions with partner Elizabeth Marruffo in San Francisco and Oaxaca, Mexico.
His arts' practice seeks to capture the fleeting images of the waking and dreaming mind. By applying layers of washes to raw canvas, he slowly builds up areas of colour which are then worked back in to using acrylic, oils, pencils, biros, markers, stitching, and glitter.
There’s a push and a pull evident in the work which Campbell believes is important.
“In trying to capture a dream, you can’t be too surgical. Working with loose, organic accidents, like the unpredictible way that the washes run, that’s like the dream working its way through the painting. The unconcious mind. Then the conscious mind comes and pulls out literal images.”
Campbell’s arts practice rides a line between high art and illustration. Since returning to Perth from residencies in San Francisco, USA and Oaxaca, Mexico with partner and fellow artist Elizabeth Marruffo, Campbell has been a regular at markets such including Made on the Left with his small business of art prints, comics and apparel based on his pink unicorn, Corazon. He has begun an acclaimed and innovative online comic series called “Home Time”.
Head along to the opening of 'in dreams i' from 2-4pm on Saturday April 4, at the Leederville YMCA Youth Headquarters (HQ Skate Park) at 60a Frame Street. The exhibition continues until May 1.
