Artist : Pranoto and Kerry Pendergrast
Genre :Charcoal and Soft Pastel
Period : July 4 till July 31. Everyday, 9.00AM to 5.00PM
Location : Pranoto’s Art Gallery, Main Road, Ubud (next to FedEx). Tel: 970827
Pranoto and his wife Kerry Pendergrast are well-established and influential artists working in Ubud. Pursuing his dream of becoming an artist Pranoto left Solo for Ubud in 1974. Over the years he collected artworks which led to the establishment of his gallery in 1996. Here he not only exhibits his own work, and works from his collection, but also mounts solo and group shows. Kerry is from Perth in Western Australia, where she followed a career in Theatre and Music, but since her arrival in Ubud in 1993 she has developed as an artist. Kerry is instrumental in organizing the Model Sessions that take place regularly at the gallery and have become indispensable to the Ubud Art Community. Currently at the gallery Pranoto and Kerry are presenting an exhibition of their recent charcoal and soft pastel drawings. Entitled “Radiance”, the works in the exhibition are “in pursuit of elusive light”.
The depiction of light has been a major theme throughout the history of Western Art. Light is intangible. We can see it but it has no substance. We can only observe the presence of light by how it reacts with material objects. Light is predominantly used to indicate a sense of atmosphere. The depiction of light also has a history of symbolizing a divine or spiritual presence and can be used to convey the power of Nature’s inner life and forces.
Created with charcoal on paper Pranoto presents classic studio nude studies. These are very fine drawings, exhibiting good line, shape and composition. In the Rubenesque female nude “Inclination” the model is bathed in a soft white light to mold her voluptuous body, while harsh lines, acute angles and stark shadows are used to convey masculinity in “Reclining Male Figure”. Also most pleasing is the semi-draped and seated “Young Woman” who appears to radiate an inner-glow of peace and serenity. All of Pranoto’s drawings display a deft assuredness and a distinct “Master’s Touch”.
Kerry Pendergrast has developed a passion for drawing in pastels and she likes to complete pieces outside in nature, but there is more than working “en Plein-Air” that links her to Impressionism. Her subject matter – gardens, interiors and landscapes – and her treatment of it, recalls Matisse and Monet. Her soft pastel drawings are made on sandpaper which creates a rich texture and enhances color. This is evident in her work “Rice Fields in Green” where the abrupt strokes and bright, vivid colors suggest the expressiveness of Van Gogh. However, it is her use of light which is very impressionistic. “Temple at Sunrise” shimmers in a pale lemon dawn, a shaft of afternoon sunlight falls across a secluded niche in “Buddha and the Garden” and the sublime “Pura Dalem Puri, Ubud” is awash with mauve, evening shadows. Kerry’s drawings speak about the relationship between Man, Nature and Spirit which is at the heart of life in Bali. “Radiance” is an exhibition well worth attending but collectors must hurry – red dots are appearing beside the drawings in great profusion!
