Art exhibition: An artist's reverie - David Ramsland
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Where: Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre, corner Vulcan Street and Murray Street, Moruya
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm. Access from Murray Street after 12.30pm on Saturdays.
This Exhibition comprises paintings I have created over the recent past, both as studio pieces and as plein air compositions. It is a collection of landscapes and seascapes, the inspiration for which is deeply rooted in my connection with the natural environment of our local area and my love of the changing vistas this country has to offer, as well as still life and abstract works.
Many of my natural vistas are often originally created as smaller plein air works, which enable me to capture more accurately the mood, tone and light of a particular view, integral to the atmospheric perspective playing out at a particular moment in time. It is later at home, in the quiet of my studio, that these smaller works are sometimes translated into larger pieces. In much of my work, there is an emphasis on gum trees which are such a loved feature of our local environment. Beach and river scenes also dominate my work. No matter what the subject, I attempt to instil in the viewer, a sense of reverie and presence in my more contemporary pieces, that indeed sometimes cascade into the area of abstract, but still maintaining that connection to nature.
The majority of works in this exhibition are oil on canvas or MDF. I love everything about oil, from its buttery consistency to the smell of turpentine. The forgiving nature of the medium also appeals to me. I am also including works in acrylic, and mixed media including graphite, conte, pastel and charcoal. Being versatile and experimental, helps me maintain my freshness, enthusiasm and passion for painting.
If framed, I favour a simple frame which creates a “window” effect – as though you are looking through a window at a scene with little distraction coming from the frame.
I have also included some 9x5 paintings, reminiscent of early Australian painters, which have been framed in a similar manner to the early paintings, but with a more contemporary feel.
In summary, I endeavour to share my visions of the bush and the sea, immersing the viewer in the dream-like quality of the early morning light, or the solitude of a lonely bush track or the gums, woodlands and rain forests. Furthermore, my paintings do not usually depict any signs of human impact or intrusion on the environment as I find this diminishes the representation of the natural beauty.
I welcome you to view these works and hope you enjoy the exhibition.
David Ramsland, 2024
Artist profile
Public programs
- Opening night: Saturday 5 April, 10.30am – RSVP for opening event
- Panel discussion | Artist talk: Saturday 5 April, 11.30am (following the opening)
This is a great opportunity for the public to hear directly from David about the ideas and themes explored in the exhibition and his art practice.
We would like to advise that video footage and photographs are taken at our events and exhibitions for publicity purposes.
For more information contact Creative Arts Officer Sue Blackburn:
- T: 4474 7355
- E: Sue Blackburn
Visit our public programs calendar to book for any or all upcoming activities!