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A “Defiant” Mortimore Prize FINALIST!

Alex — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:46:19 +0000

A new portrait titled “Defiant” and featuring the artist’s musical alter-ego, Lix Bacskay, marks the artist’s first entry into one of Australia’s foremost traditional and contemporary realist art awards – The Mortimore Prize. On Sept 4th, ‘Defiant’ was announced as a finalist in the 2010 awards. Winners are to be judged and announced on Sept 25th 2010.

In what could be described as a self portrait with a twist, “Defiant” tells the story of the inspirational connection between Lix (frontwoman for Australian rock band Medollic) and her maternal grandmother who served in the Royal Observer Corps in WWII. Above Lix’ bed hangs a sketch of a Swallow by her grandmother, Alison Hope Margaret Nicol, who died on June 1st 2002. She left behind her a legacy of self belief and an ever expanding capacity for imagination in her young artist granddaughter. The silhouette of the aptly named Boulton Paul ‘Defiant’ WWII fighter plane, stretching it’s wings across the canvas, was taken directly from a page in the ROC WWII Aircraft Identification Handbook from the early 1940s.

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“I AM” Hanging at Arts Queensland HQ

Alex — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:58:30 +0000

“I AM” is now installed in a beautifully lit spot in Arts Queensland’s reception area.

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“To Be Green, Or Not To Be…” at the Royal Brisbane Exhibition

Alex — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:33:41 +0000

For those who again braved Royal Brisbane Exhibition in 2010, you may have come across a familiar scene at the Arts Queensland wall in the Government Pavilion. Alex was back again this year painting live at the “Ekka”! Measuring 2.2m high and painted live, in oils, from start to finish in front of the daily crowds, her piece “To Be Green, Or Not To Be” conceptually explores this year’s theme of “Tomorrow’s Queensland: Strong, green, smart, healthy and fair”.

To Be Green, Or Not To Be – Oil on Board 2.2mx1.8m 2010 © Alex Bacskay

Now in the artist’s possession, simply awaiting some finishing touches, “To Be Green, Or Not To Be” may be available for sale upon application. To register your interest please contact the artist.

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Archibald “Real Refuses” Exhibition Review

Alex — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:26:07 +0000

Review by Neil Miley (UpsideDownInsideOut.com.au) of the “Real Refuses” exhibition at TAP Gallery, Sydney:

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“The Real Refusals is an opportunity for entrants not selected for exhibition in the Archibald, Wynn, and Sulman to have their entries viewed by the public. Conducted by the TAP Gallery at 45 Burton Street, Darlinghurst and opening on 10 April this exhibition often throws up works that have been unjustifiably overlooked for these prize competitions and this year is no exception.

The casual nature of the gallery makes it a great place for the public to see art without the library like viewing regime of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman.

There are nearly 100 works in this years exhibition, all clearly striving for excellence. This year a number of works that are technically, imaginatively and pictorially superior to any at the Archibald, Wynn, Sulman or Salon de Refuses are shown. The paintings are an eclectic collection of styles that vary from what in the past could have been called conservative through to avante guard.

Works by Dapeng liu, Graeme Balchin, Alex Bacskay, Justin Pearson, Jackson Gooch and Colette Jonquieres are all of a standard that is equal to or better than the works in the Archibald exhibition. Their exclusion in my opinion points out the failure of the Archibald’s selection process to pick the best paintings.

The exhibition does carry a small prize which is determined by the vote of the public that attend the opening night. The choice is always up in the air until the announcement but it reflects broad current taste amongst a diverse group of people with no underlying attachment to any one form of artistic expression.”

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The Real Refuses exhibition of over one hundred 2010 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman entries is on show from April 10th-25th at TAP Gallery, 278 Palmer St Darlinghurst, Sydney.

“Defiant” Oil on Canvas 101×101cm, 2010 Archiband Entry by Alex Bacskay.

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“I AM” Purchased by Arts QLD

Alex — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:06:17 +0000

For those who braved the hoards at the 2009 Royal Brisbane Exhibition, you may recognise this piece. This recent painting by Alex Bacskay titled “I AM” (a fairly blatant tribute to Colin McCahon) measures 2.2m high and was painted live from start to finish before the daily crowds visiting the “Ekka”. The work conceptually explores the Q150 theme “Our People, Our Places, Our Stories”. From the artists perspective that meant championing the rich multicultural tapestry that is makes Queensland such a vibrant and creative state.

“I AM” has now been purchased by Arts QLD for their “Art+Place” Public Collection!

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Contact form miss-fire!

Alex — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:50:38 +0000

Apologies to anyone that has attempted to send a message via the form on the contact page. It has just been discovered to be malfunctioning, and unfortunately messages haven’t been getting through for the last few weeks, even when they’ve appeared to have been successfully sent.

Problem solved, and the form is working properly again now, so if you haven’t got a response from a message you have sent, please send it again!

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MX Photo Feature

Alex — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:20:43 +0000

Yet another plug for Minus Canvas 3. Brisbane’s MX newspaper, with a circulation of over 40,000 copies hitting approximately 130,000 readers every day… so they say…

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Exhibition setup

Alex — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:17:09 +0000

A couple of photos taken at Jugglers today, setting up for Minus Canvas 3.

Had a fun photo shoot for MX Newspaper. QLD Newspapers’ photographer Adam Smith had me pulling some crazy poses, with a large painting tucked under one arm, balancing on one leg…! The article should be out in tomorrow’s MX issue, so if you’re in the city try and get your hands on copy!

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Minus Canvas 3 Exhibition

Alex — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:18:28 +0000

Friends, patrons and curators are invited to view works from the new painting series, “An Ode to World Peace”, on exhibition at Minus Canvas 3 opening 6pm Friday July 3rd at Jugglers Art Space (103 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane).

Please feel free to forward the invitation below on to other interested parties. You are welcome to bring friends and family to the Minus Canvas 3 opening reception.

For those who are out of the Brisbane area or unable to attend, please feel free to email info@bacskay.net for a digital preview of the new work, and information on pre-sales.

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The beginnings of “An Ode to World Peace”…

Alex — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:02:42 +0000

You would be misled to assume by the title of this post that I’ve launched a career in politics, or poetry. It is perhaps more likely that this new series of works may toy with with both, aesthetically and conceptually, while brush remains firmly in hand, as does tongue in cheek.

The first of the new series, entitled “An Ode to World Peace: Vol 1″, is underway. These are adventures in elongated portrait format, in oil, on board. A progress shot can be viewed below, and the finished works will be exhibited at Jugglers Art Space (Brisbane) in the Minus Canvas 3 exhibition opening Friday July 3rd. More info about the exhibition will be posted shortly.

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