PLEASE JOIN US FOR CELEBRATORY DRINKS ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 15TH FROM 1PM-3PM TO CELEBRATE OUR LATEST EXHIBITION, BLU BY VANESSA CONTE.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
‘BLU’ is a series revolving around the colour blue and all its awe, deepness, calmness and expression of the authentic self. The colour blue represents so much to Vanessa Conte. In the past year she has associated deep blues, complementary oranges and reds with grief, heartache, anxiety, change, trauma, her inner child and self growth. Painting allows Conte to express her pent up emotions by using art as a form of therapy and an outlet.
This colour palette and style of painting has given Conte the room to grow her series and practice with vulnerability. The series ‘BLU’ also provides a look into other aspects of Conte’s life and soul such as energy, love and relief.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Vanessa Conte is predominantly an abstract expressionist painter who has been practicing for eight years. Raised in the western suburbs with an Italian background and based in Geelong.
Oil paint is her preferred medium but she also loves to explore mixed media, drawing, writing, photography, digital and more. Conte fell in love with painting while studying an Advanced Diploma at RMIT and after studying realised it was something she wanted to properly pursue. Life and travelling has also greatly impacted Conte’s work, helping it to evolve in ways she never imagined.
Conte finds painting intriguing because of its movement, expansion, depth and vibrancy. She often uses brushes, palette knives and her hands to make and create, finding this use of materials soothing and natural. She has made art since she was a child and would often get lost in her work for hours on end. Conte has realised that art helps her hone in on her emotions, enabling her to explain and express herself in ways she can't in reality. Art understands her more than anyone and anything.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY:
Vanessa Conte would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land. She acknowledges the harm, hardships and trauma that was suffered and are still evidently felt today. She acknowledges that she is living, working and creating on Wadawurrung country.
She pays respect to elders past, present and future. Djillong is a beautiful place that holds many memories, traditions and culture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.