Gregory Carosi: Axis @ Griffith Regional Gallery

Gregory Carosi seeks to explore the spaces between figuration and abstraction, through the lens of the Riverina which, since his relocation from Sydney to regional NSW in 2015, continues to shape the quality and character of his work.

"The influence of the contours and character of the Riverina was immediate and remains ongoing. My fascination with its seasonal shifts, its rivers and its geographical diversity has driven my recent work. So too the built environment - from silos to country towns and regional centres – and the distinctive character of its people." says Gregory Carosi.

The exhibition will examine the idea of line and the relationship between geographicdifferences between its pictorial space and its thematic power, informed by Greg’s growing awareness of the geographic difference between our perceptions of line in Australia.

Working from the perspective that all abstraction is landscape, Greg seeks to challenge the idea of line as horizon, exploring instead the notion that, especially in inland areas, line is more accurately thought of as incision. In this regard, the paintings also engage with the formalism of Indigenous art, which circumvents line as horizon in its abstracted depictions of inland regions from a topographical perspective.

"My artistic practice is guided by an interest in historical tradition, modernism and post-war abstraction. My aim is to create works that provide both aesthetic pleasure and allow for intellectual exploration through non-figurative means. I have a preference for the mediums of oil on a variety of supports, allowing for an intensity of colour and a textural richness, but my output also includes sculpture in wood, printmaking and the use of found objects." says the artist.

AXIS can be seen @ Griffith Regional Art Gallery till Sunday 12 February