Artists Kerryl Shirley and NW Wenhuda will be showing new bodies of work that derive from their intention to make what they want to make. There is freedom and nonconformity in this originality, where the artist is unmoved by the pressures of trend, fashion or the zeitgeist.

The seemingly polar positions of these two artists – Shirley well established in her artistic career, Wenhuda an emerging artist – is a counterpoint to their common pursuit of translating experience and the world through their work. It is complementary, yet distinct; the two artists enjoy and support each other’s practice, witnessing the development of concepts, ideas and their resolution.

Shirley describes her approach thus: ‘Shirley works meticulously and builds a body of work, either painting or construction, until her preoccupation has exhausted itself.’ She calls herself a figurative abstractionist and revisits the theme of women in interiors with each body of work. Her work is sophisticated and fits comfortably with an international audience as easily as a local or regional one. Her 40-year long career has recently included being selected as a finalist in both the Portia Geach Memorial Award (for women artists; portraiture) and the Kennedy Prize (for the pursuit and expression of beauty). Her work is not typical of any one space or place or genre: it challenges the sense of belonging as traditionally understood.

NW Wenhuda has been painting and making artwork for a number of years, and has exhibited in a group show, The Devil May Care, a consideration of mental health, at the Old Bar in Fitzroy (Melbourne). Wenhuda paints from the subconscious but also slots into the category of figurative.

Both Shirley and Wenhuda push the boundaries of representation to offer their own unique style.

Visit the virtual gallery to explore the exhibition in its entirety.