January is usually a relatively quiet month for art in Hong Kong but not so at Pearl Lam’s eponymous Pedder Street gallery where the local gallerist is showing a solo exhibition of 16 works by artist Dale Frank.
One of the Australia’s most successful international artists, Frank is renowned for his manipulation of wildly different materials, pouring, melting and folding paint, chemicals, varnish, and resin to create intricate kaleidoscopic abstract images that are part painting, collage and sculpture. ‘It is not important to me if the image is flat or extends so far out from the wall that it touches the floor', he says. Indeed, in the past some of his works have literally slowly slipped off the canvas to create hypnotic stalactite-like goopy forms.
’His homeless eyes left you legless’, 2016, colour resin in liquid glass on Perspex
One of the most intriguing transformative pieces on show is, He had the personality of duck fat, comprising a large Perspex base upon which the artist has sculptured compression foam into a moon surface-like landscape before adding a layer of plutonium so that it glows an eerie green in the dark. The artist says he always adds the title after the works leave the studio. ‘I write a story and then move the lines and text around, breaking it up. I then divide it up according to the number of paintings,’ he explains.
’The English have a way with Trifle’, 2016, oxygenated fire retardant foam in liquid glass on Perspex
Sometimes, however, the seemingly random name fits the image surprisingly well, as with The English have a way with Trifle (above), where oxygenated fire retardant foam on liquid glass interacts with oxygen to create a surreal pink and burnished gold landscape.
All the works were created during 2016, so even familiar-looking pieces reflect Frank’s newest explorations. For instance, his trademark colour resin swirls are now layered on reflective liquid glass creating a mirrored effect that reflects the image of the viewer. ‘Everyone wants to be the centre of the world at the moment so why not make them the centre of the art?’ Frank asks with a laugh.
Filling his hollow hours with platitudes, 2016
From left, The English have a way with trifle, 2016; and He ended up running a wallpaper shop just outside, 2016
Grasshoppers as a term of affection, 2016
His death constantly nibbled at his future promise, 2016; and A face like two aged swollen testicles, 2016
INFORMATION
’Dale Frank’ is on view until 9 March. For more information, visit the Pearl Lam Galleries website
ADDRESS
Pearl Lam Galleries
601-605 Hong Kong Pedder Building
12 Pedder Street
Central
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