Coffs artists’ ‘Paracosm’ exhibition, a mix of quirky and ethereal creatures and landscapes

PARACOSM art exhibition, showing the work of John Thiering and Brett Butler, opens at Laneway Gallery in Little Street Coffs Harbour on 12 July and runs for two weeks.

Both artists will be present at the opening from 4pm.

Their work explores the idea of a paracosm – an “elaborate world incorporating real and imagined characters”.

Brett and John share similar backgrounds, each with over 40 years painting experience.

They met as art teachers in a local high school, and immediately recognised shared sensibilities.

Both painters blend the figurative with the abstract; producing dynamic landscapes containing buildings, people and animals, painted in a dreamlike, semi-abstract style.

Brett Butler recently retired and is now focusing on his own creativity.

This will be the first exhibition he has contributed to since moving to Coffs 20 years ago.

His paintings come from a background of pop art and employing black outlines and vivid colours.

This style is merged with Expressionism and the influence of The Blue Rider movement – particularly Wassily Kandinsky.

A long-time practising artist, John has had regular exhibitions of his paintings since his first show in Sydney in the mid-1980s.

He explores the human predicament, encompassing the joys, sorrows and absurdities of life.

He draws upon a range of artistic influences from the medieval Dutch master, Bruegel, to the quirky drawings of Michael Leunig.

His paintings are populated by humans, animals and other imaginary characters, producing a whimsical and dreamlike quality.

The attitude to their creative practice can be summed up by an Edgar Degas’ quote: ‘Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do.’

All of the paintings have been completed in the last few years.

Entry to the exhibition is free with enquiries to 0432 421319.

By Andrea FERRARI