Stuart Hartley

Hartley's practice sits between painting and sculpture with its genesis lying in the structure and event that conflate to produce a painting. A dialogue between surface and support is created that challenges the historical singular and frontal approach to painting. The space the work creates and its migration into the space of other mediums, begins to shift the works emphasis from a two-dimensional surface into an environment that engages the viewer both visually and physically. As a result, perceptions, time, space and event become involved with the work questioning the boundaries and elements that are evident within painting.

Stuart's series of Event works tap into the idea of the collective moments and experiences we carry and delve into when we are confronted with a choice or decision.

The works give a colourful and playful visual dance on initial encounter but it is with further exploration that the ideas around singular moments start to evolve. The letters used in the first ten words of a book or poem are randomly scattered around the work, partially tucked away and hidden on the balls, reducing their significance to just letters, something we all have access to and emphasising the need for the authors personal history to interact allowing the creative moment to happen. It is within this moment that the physical and visual play dissipates and the work shifts from the here and now into an encounter with a moment just prior to the author writing the first words.

‘We are a moving collection of joy and sorrow; wins and losses, and it’s from within that messy bag that we chose our next move….’ - Stuart Hartley

Stuart Hartley is available to work to commission. For enquiries, please contact us