Koru Contemporary art is pleased to announce the solo exhibition of Rick Swain's "Recent Work 2010" opening Friday 15 October 2010.

Whilst viewing this new body of work by Rick Swain at Koru Contemporary Art one must suspend one's sense of disbelief about the possibilities of what can be created from demolition timber. Curves are created from straight pieces of wood and successfully used to convey the arm of a figure in an embrace in Embrace 2 and a delicate ribbon is conjured up in Breeze 4 with a surprising elegance.

Swain gains inspiration from his surroundings in beautiful and isolated Coromandel New Zealand and is obviously fascinated with the possibilities presented to him with each new piece of wood he locates. The titles Swain gives each piece provides a key starting point for the appreciator of his work. This is particularly evident in Poise 2, a tabletop size work that emulates the curve of a spine as a horse bends to nuzzle a foal or a yoga practitioner bending to touch their toes, the poise required in making such a gesture is cleverly captured and conveyed through his application of contrasting stain.

Fragments 2 is just as the title implies a composite work made up of three pieces of wood joined together by steel brackets. The positioning of each piece is suggestive of a figure in movement.

As Dr Cassandra Fusco writes:

"Swain has indicated that for him, art has socio-cultural significance and a social function. One of its functions is to remember and recall that which is absent – whether it is history, or the unconscious, or form, or the space in which to live and breathe and think."

The delicacy of these new works captures this sentiment perfectly.


Opening Reception:
Friday 15th October 2010, 7:00pm to 9:30pm