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FEATURING KINGSTON BATIK ARTIST and
SCULPTOR MICHAEL McLAUGHLAN
FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL!
There is a new kid on the block and his name is Michael
McLaughlan. As an artist Michael has been creating good
karma at his Zen Factory since 2001. He works in Batik
(wax and dye on cotton) as well as sculpting wonderful
masks and insects from mild steel.
McLaughlan's hand cut giant ants, scorpions and scarabs
are delightfully creepy. His detailed masks are replicated
from Aztec, Mayan, Buddhist, African and Aboriginal
cultures from around the globe.
Many of Michael's Batiks are quite large and he uses
vibrant dyes to maximum effect. Although the artistic
themes are varied McLaughlan has recently been working
with the landscape in an effort to broaden and refine
his skills. The results are Impressionist influenced
pictures that have a dreamlike quality which puts one
in mind of softly translucent watercolour.
Michael is at his most passionate when working on a
new piece and that unbridled enthusiasm is amply evident
in all his work.
All are invited to view MICHAEL McLAUGHLAN's fine art
works
during April 2004 upstairs at The Upstairs Gallery
189 Sydenham St., Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm.
Michael McLaughlan's Zen Factory
Artist Statement
The domain of my self-expression is my Zen Factory.
I make
pictures in batik, using wax and dye on cotton and ornamental
sculpture. The processes with each medium are dear to
my heart.
In fact the manufacturing is more important to me than
the finished
product.
When a piece is done I feel joy, elation and pride.
However once
the work is finished so too is the relationship that
existed between
myself and the batik or sculpture. Deep inside, emptiness
creeps
in so I fill the void by beginning a new work. There
is something
cathartic about the cutting, hammering and shaping of
metal or the
waxing of muslin with invisible brushstrokes that reveal
themselves
only after dye-ing.
When selecting subjects for my work I do acknowledge
public
tastes but ultimately I choose what pleases me. In my
metalcraft
that includes giant ants, scorpions, scarabs and dragonflies.
My batiks are usually large and vibrant. I love colour,
the bolder
the better. It brings drama and beauty into my life.
I hope when looking my work the viewer can see and
feel the
passion that goes into each and every piece I make.
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