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The Contemporary Art Society of Victoria Inc. presents ...

  Cats and Other Addenda by KYLIE CASTAN 

  paintings, drawings and embroidery 

in the Budgeon’s display case, foyer Richmond Library

415 Church Street, Richmond

  15 January to 27 April 2022 

Reporter: Ann Ravenshield


Kylie Castan, an award winning artist, exhibiting since 1994, has a wealth of experience across many mediums including watercolour, gouache and oil painting, pencil and pen and ink drawing, clay and textile art, which are all well represented in her delightful display at the Richmond Library art cabinet.

Designer Cat, gouache & charcoal on card, 22 x 15 cm, by Kylie Castan

The display features many works exploring the theme of domestic life subjects of fruit, flowers and cats. Her style is influenced by Fauvism, French and Australian Impressionism and Post Impressionism. Design influences from Tuscany and hints to the late Mirka Mora are also present. It is obvious from viewing Kylie’s works that she is aesthetically inspired by the feelings of love and familiarity with her subject matter, which is expressed in a fluid manner radiating positive light.

Cat Peering Out, fine liner pens on paper, 21 x 15 cm, by Kylie Castan

9 of the 33 Brooches, gouache & air dried clay, 5 x 5 cm, by Kylie Castan

Kylie’s cat portraits are represented across embroidery, gouache, charcoal, fine liner markers and oil on canvas. These works explore a variety of expressions from pensive to curious and mischievous to naughty and seem to peer out amongst the clay brooches, flower and fruit portraits searching for the little bird, to evoke a definite overall sense of a very naughty cat indeed, which is something most cat lovers would identify with!

Naughty Cat 1, oil on canvas panel, 15 x 10 cm, by Kylie Castan

Little Bird, gouache on canvas panel, 10 x 10 cm, by Kylie Castan

The little bird is a delightful small gouache painting on canvas panel. I really enjoyed the thought that went into the curation of this showcase as there are many areas of playfulness and reflection points whilst gazing at this colourful array of works.
Kylie has a number of hand painted gouache air clay brooches on display, which further serve to emphasise her aesthetic sense of domestic harmony.

The Rose 2, embroidery on calico, 16 x 16 cm, by Kylie Castan

Yellow Roses 1, ink & watercolour, 30 x 21 cm, by Kylie Castan

There are also displayed a number of floral themed art works, of Redoute inspired pink and yellow roses in ink and water colour and embroidered forms in black and white and colours on calico. The contrasts make for a very interesting and diverse approach to picture making, whilst maintaining a sense of integrity to Kylie's personal field of expression.
Fruit themes are represented by colourful embroidery on calico and small fruit gouache portraits on canvas.

Pear, gouache on canvas, 13 x 13 cm, by Kylie Castan

The oil paintings on canvas, which have an impasto quality influenced by van Gogh, evoke a sense of distant times and places when the world was less complicated and the subject matter of the garden and cats amply reflects a tangible sense of domestic quietude.

In the Garden, oil on canvas, 21 x 30 cm, by Kylie Castan

This exhibition runs until 20th April and is a hidden gem not to be missed.

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