By Derek Schlennstedt
A collaboration between two hills-based friends has resulted in a stunning art exhibition at Warburton Art Gallery.
Jacqui Christians from Upwey and Tiffany Morris-North from Belgrave only live a few kilometres apart, but both artists formed a close friendship after they were admiring each other’s work at local Dandenong Ranges markets.
“We met doing markets in Upwey and just liked each other’s work,” Tiffany said.
They have since joined the Dandenong Ranges studio and their most recent collaboration is titled ‘things we covet – a still life exhibition’.
The exhibition is an extensive inquiry into a still-life subject and pays homage to simple arrangements of beauty that enhance our domestic life and items that represents nature and instil a sense of harmony including: flowers, seeds, ceramics and collectibles.
With similar art styles, it was an easy decision to collaborate.
“We both did Dandenong Ranges Open Studios programs together for a few years,“ Jacqui said.
“We thought if we could find a subject matter, we could work towards an exhibition because we have similar work.
The pair often work sessions together, where they bounce ideas off each another.
“We sometimes work together and set something up at Jacqui’s house and have a little bit of a session,” Tiffany said.
“We both like similar things; we work differently but we both have similar subject matter,” Jacqui said.
Both artists vary in their interpretation and what styles they use.
Although still life can be composed and static, these works explore their differing art practices through a broad range of art mediums, styles, gestures, marks, colour and texture.
The art exhibition opens on Saturday 24 June at the Warburton Arts Centre.
