Art to make you think

By Tania Martin
SUE Jarvis’s thought-provoking new solo exhibition urges art enthusiasts to make their own interpretations.
The renowned Dandenong born artist will open her 43rd solo exhibition on Saturday.
Titled “Unmasked”, Jarvis has asked people to look beyond the surface of the paint and see the beauty that lies beneath.
Jarvis is renowned for painting about social issues that nobody wants to talk about and this exhibition is no different.
She has done a number of paintings of constructions sites including the Pakenham Bypass and the construction of the Dandenong end of the Eastlink project.
Jarvis said it was important to record these events because people don’t realise what colour and beauty lie underneath when the roads are complete.
She said the notion of landscape was often challenged when works featured man-made structures, which once complete masked the beauty beneath the surface.
“People don’t realise what great colours are underground … all that orange clay,” she said.
“Now it’s just very grey and clinical.”
Unmasked has been based around several themes including notions of ideal beauty, donning a clown’s mask, and religious and social commentary.
The exhibition will be officially opened by Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato at the Walker St Gallery in Dandenong on Saturday at 6.30pm.
Jarvis will also be at the gallery for informal discussions on Saturday 8 and 22 November between 1pm and 2pm.
The exhibition will be open until 25 November.