Isabella Gaffey
Colo High School
THE SHED
Painting
Acrylic on wood
The Shed represents the essence of mateship, shared purpose and contribution to the community in the lives of five men in their later years. Painted realistically to fully express their authenticity, my body of work is mounted using the very materials used by these men. Within the men’s shed they find belonging, friendship and an outlet for creativity with a practical purpose. Separate individuals, drawn together through their common goals and passion for working with wood, they skilfully shape this material and in turn shape their own wellbeing.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Michelangelo, Duncan Shoosmith, Derren Brown.
Marker's Commentary
These endearing portraits of older men from a Men’s Shed have been rendered realistically in monochromatic shades of burnt sienna. Wrinkles and sunspots, ruddy cheeks, laughing eyes and crooked smiles contribute to each man’s warmth and character. A labyrinth of delicate wrinkles, skin folds and individual strands of hair have been rendered gently with the spidery lines of age on each man’s face acting as a map of experience. A halo of white and grey hair frames the men’s faces, drawing a visual connection to the graphic, white outline of each shirt. With just a hint of staining within each shirt form, the wood grain of the plywood surface is able to take precedence, uniting the series while giving the work a contemporary edge. Combined with the peg-board backing, the connection to the men’s place of work and their pleasure in constructing, using wood, is established.The private and the public spheres become merged in these modest yet powerful evocations of character. They are stoic, resilient, compassionate and connected. Comfortable in their own skins, the men are united by the artist’s empathetic hand. The work speaks of quiet moments, the beauty of age and common humanity.