TALKING with a friend recently, I mentioned the upcoming exhibition Rachel Ellis: Sustaining Light at Bathurst Regional Art Gallery.
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My friend told me that a few years ago he had seen Ellis with a giant canvas upon an easel out in the open on the corner of William and Rocket streets as she was drawing the lighting shop that stood opposite.
Since moving to Bathurst in 2001 artist Rachel Ellis has unceasingly studied and depicted the light and forms of the local landscapes, streetscapes and interiors in her drawings and paintings.
For Ellis, “to draw or paint light is to confront the reality of what it is to be alive”.
Ellis continually works and reworks on subjects that capture her attention on her travels around Bathurst.
She transforms what may be considered mundane street scenes into stunning compositions expressing the beauty of light and the forms of buildings and trees.
Locals will recognise such subjects as the giant elm tree on Bentinck Street or the view of the oddly shaped plane tree visible round from The Hub café.
Ellis was a recipient of the Hill End Artists in Residence Program in 2006 and 2016 where she studied the light cast through the curtains, garden and window of the Haefligers Cottage Studio.
She has been the recipient of numerous awards most recently the 2017 NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize for her work Bentinck Street 2017, oil on board (seen in the image).
More than 40 of Ellis’ drawings and paintings will be on display in the gallery, which have been borrowed from private and public collections from all over Australia.
The exhibition Rachel Ellis: Sustaining Light will open 6pm, Friday, June 8.
Also opening on Friday, June 8 at 6pm is STEEL: art design architecture, a touring exhibition from JamFactory, Adelaide, featuring works of 29 artists, designers and architects.
Both exhibitions will be opened by local architect and director of Inteegrated Design Group (IDG) architects, Tony McBurney.
Join Rachel Ellis as she discusses her art practice on Friday, June 8 at 5pm at BRAG. This is a free event followed by the exhibition opening.
Entry to exhibition opening is $10/$8 BRAGS members $5 Students (must show a student card).
RSVPs would be appreciated by Thursday, June 7 to jo.dicksen@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or by phoning6333 6555.
For further information visit www.bathurstart.com.au of go to our Facebook page.
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery is open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-2pm Sunday and public holidays.
