Fitzroy Library Space Cressida Fox


by Cressida Fox
Contemporary Art Society of Victoria Inc.
Connie Barber
Fitzroy Library Exhibition Space
May - June 2005
Located at the historic Fitzroy Town Hall
128 Moor Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne

Wimmera Landscapee by Connie Barber
(oil on linen 46 x 61cms)
Review - Connie Barber

Looking at Connie's retrospective body of works which span from 1970's to this year, I noted an interesting versatility. Her works from the '70's ranged from the abstracted "Wimmera Landscape" with its sweeping tree forms and what might be hay bales or vegetation, to a more traditional style water-colour of "Westernport - Sky over Philip Island." Connie travelled around NT in the '70's and later Kangaroo Island. These influences led to changes in scenery and styles in her works of the '80's: deep reds, intense blues and soft purples, some softer edges. "Kings Canyon - Cycads" shows the intense colours, massive rock formations and lush vegetation of a unique and beautiful place. One of the bays on "Kangaroo Island" - a pastel of another unique and beautiful place - is much freer, softly blending rich colours of earth and water.

Works from the '90's include "Constellation, Oranges" - still life with a difference, the fruit suspended in an atmospheric black to white background. "Flight" shows a flock of white doves against a blue sky, the movement of their flapping wings cutting pink swathes through the air. "Alive Alive All II" is very different again, a painterly, richly earthy coloured still life of shells and sea plants.

The most recent work is "Merri Creek, Light and Dark", 2004-5 - a much loved place near her home which has particular sentimental significance. Like some of her earlier works, it is almost traditional. I felt that the different styles reflect and enhance the particular subjects, also when and why they were painted. Connie confirmed this, saying that the subject does dictate the style; it is a philosophical process where style is a medium used as a means of exploring and sorting out ideas, matching what you're thinking to what you're doing.

I enjoyed these sensitive, beautiful works and hope you get to see them. They are also very reasonably priced!

- Cressida Fox

(Extracted from the Contemporary Art Society Newsletter May - June 2005)

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