Gabriella Vukman
By the Warburton waterwheel a collection of artworks lies in wait for the keen eyes of an audience.
Sculptor Shlomit Moria and artist Sioux Dollman have collaborated, creating a painting and sculpture exhibition that encompasses the notion of balance both internal and external.
The exhibition will open September 1 and is situated at the Waterwheel Gallery in Warburton.
Stemming from the divergence between the artworks Sioux and Shlomit each bring to the table, the exhibition explores the manner in which opposites complement each other.
Shlomit points out that her “darker” sculptures balance out Sioux’s “vibrant” and “optimistic” works, creating a haunting equipoise.
“Everybody seems to be struggling with balance these days,” Shlomit said.
This notion of balance is intended to accentuate the importance of opposites in order to accomplish harmony.
Interactive elements are also embedded within this exhibition. The public can participate by weighing items and words on the scales provided.
“People are able to decide what to balance or what brings them into balance,” Sioux said.
This way viewers can distinguish the balance between “too much play” and “too much work.”
Explaining how her collaboration with Shlomit came about Sioux, noted that she and Shlomit encountered each other through the fine arts industry and have been friends for a “long time.”
“Shlomit told me “I’m having an exhibition soon and the space is big. Would you like to join me?””
Upon discussing their best collaborative work, Sioux and Shlomit described the placement of Shlomit’s ‘Inner Voice’ sculpture in front of Sioux’s painting ‘Cave of Value and Self Worth’.
The sculptured girl is staring into the cave, generating an ensnaring dimension of partnership between the two artists.
Sioux said, “We put the sculpture and my painting together and it creates an artwork in itself of balance and stillness and looking within and I find this deliciously special.”
“It tells a story,” she added.
Sioux and Shlomit share that their individual contributions of painting and sculpture, when compiled, have generated a brand new entity which they are keen for the public to explore.
“We had two magic people coming together to create another magical thing that we didn’t even know was possible,” Shlomit said.
“One plus one equals three,” Sioux elaborated.
Sioux and Shlomit want their artworks to evoke a deep sense of realisation in their audience.
“The exhibition offers an opportunity for viewers to drop into their hearts, drop into their bodies and just have a moment to really assess and feel the balance,” Sioux said.
Shlomit said, “I want people to walk away feeling inspired.”
Viewers can attend the exhibition from 10am until 4pm every day until September 30 and are encouraged to interact with the works.
Shlomit said “it’s a great therapy session.”
Sioux and Shlomit acknowledge their journey together as artists.
“It has been a beautiful journey coming together and finding balance,” Shlomit said.
