Dave Behrens
Out From Down Under & Beyond: Fine Art From Australia and New Zealand
May 11 - June 1, 2010
Reception:
Thursday May 13, 2010 6-8 PM
Press Release
At once perplexing and intoxicating, Dave Behrens’ paintings whisk the viewer into an exhilarating, fantastical world of pattern, shape and color. Inspired by Art Nouveau and Symbolism, Behrens’ latticed, multihued paintings exist in the shadowy realm between dreams and reality. Behrens’ geometric forms, interchangeably seductively simplistic and elaborately ornate, intimately invite us into a world of wonder and exploration. Influenced by ancient cultures, particularly that of Egypt, Behrens paints within paintings, evoking a sense of kinship with the past. “I am inspired by the vast universe, the limitless histories of our ancients and yet to be told tales from the futurists,” states Behrens. “I have undertaken a spiritual journey of self-discovery through my art and from that journey, comes the expression of the energy of color and movement in the form of my art.” Indeed, Behrens’ harmony with the universal past is palpable in his vigorously patterned works, stunning in their provocative whimsy and fantasy.
A native of Sydney, Australia, Behrens lives and works in Brisbane, Australia.
Artist Statement
I love to create art that encourages the viewer to be "drawn in" to explore the unlimited potential of their own imagination. I am inspired by the vast universe, the limitless histories of our ancients and yet to be told tales from the futurists. It's the past, present & future all rolled (or painted) onto one canvas. I use symbology, texture, intricate lines and vibrant modern colours to express this idea. I am influenced by tribal hieroglyphic art, by universal themes, and by cultural references. The hope is that viewers will be able to explore the final result themselves, using their own imagination.
Invitation to the exhibition
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View the catalog page
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Artists in this exhibition
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