Nic Mason, Wild, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 19 March - 24 April 2016
This solo exhibition by Nic Mason references her long background in conservation management and ongoing relationship with the Australian landscape, specifically the bush and big skies of the Blue Mountains and west of the Great Dividing Range. This environmental focus by Mason who lives in Napoleon Reef near Bathurst is mixed with stories from Mason’s domestic and family life.
The two combined echo Mason’s disquiet about the impact of introduced pest animals on threatened Australian fauna and convey her immersion in living and bringing up a family within this landscape. Narrative and symbolism are integral to this work, where Mason plays with the rendering of animal masks and her recurring red bag. Wild is the first substantial body of work shown by Mason and hosted by Cowra Regional Art Gallery, following her win of the 2015 Central West Regional Art Award.
The two combined echo Mason’s disquiet about the impact of introduced pest animals on threatened Australian fauna and convey her immersion in living and bringing up a family within this landscape. Narrative and symbolism are integral to this work, where Mason plays with the rendering of animal masks and her recurring red bag. Wild is the first substantial body of work shown by Mason and hosted by Cowra Regional Art Gallery, following her win of the 2015 Central West Regional Art Award.
Nic Mason, Bilby (Bilbi), rocking and waiting 2016 oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Fox, interrupted 2016, oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Numbat, on my way 2016 oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
Nic Mason, New futures 2016 oil on canvas, 100 x 100cm, private collection
Nic Mason, O malleefowl (yunggaay) II 2016 oil on canvas, 90 x 90cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Where have they gone? 2016 oil on canvas, 100 x 100cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Fox no. 3 2016 oil on canvas, 60 x 60cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Fox no. 1 2016 oil on canvas, 60 x 60cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Fox no. 2 2016 oil on canvas, 60 x 60cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Red bag essence 2016 oil on canvas, 60 x 60cm, private collection
Nic Mason, O malleefowl (yunggaay) 2016 oil on canvas, 90 x 90cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Red bag 2016 oil on canvas, 60 x 60cm
Bush stone curlew (guriban) 2016 oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Fox and numbat 2015 oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
Bush stone curlews (guriban), just playing 2016 oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Eastern quoll (mabi), boo 2016 oil on canvas, 40 x 40cm, private collection
Eastern quoll (mabi), going places 2016 oil on canvas, 40 x 40cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Eastern quoll (mabi), hanging out 2016 oil on canvas, 40 x 40cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Brush tailed rock wallaby (wirrang) 2016 oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Red bag, on the path 2016 oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Eastern quoll (mabi), in the gully 2016 oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Dave Noble 2016 oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, private collection
Nic Mason, Sharon Riley 2016 oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, private collection