Addressing themes of mortality, isolation and the psyche, Mary Van Gils explores the figurative without settling into the purely representative. Unease permeates all aspects of the work: from wandering figures in alien settings to portraits of shifting consciousness. As an immigrant to Australia, as well as someone who has spent large portions of life in geographically and psychologically isolated places, displacement and unease are part of Van Gils’ makeup. Indistinct characters drift in and out of the work, drawn from the mind of the artist to serve as an anchor for mark making and mood: becoming vague notions rather than specific persons. Exploration of the emotional possibility of the mark leads the work towards abstraction as paintings become anchored in expressive drawing.
Born in Canada, Mary has lived in Australia since January 2004. She recently completed her Bachelor of fine Art (Honours) at the National Art School in East Sydney.
Her work can be found in private collections in Australia, Canada and the United States.
For regular updates, follow Mary on instagram at https://instagram.com/maryvangils/
Born in Canada, Mary has lived in Australia since January 2004. She recently completed her Bachelor of fine Art (Honours) at the National Art School in East Sydney.
Her work can be found in private collections in Australia, Canada and the United States.
For regular updates, follow Mary on instagram at https://instagram.com/maryvangils/
Mary Van Gils, mary vangils, painting, art, artist, sydney, exhibition, figurative, emerging, national art school, nas
