DREAMS, mythology and history intertwine in the atmospheric and slightly haunting exhibition Omphalos by Celene E. Bridge.
The inspiration for the exhibition can be traced back to a vivid dream where Bridge awoke with the phrase ”the centre of the world” swirling around her brain.
It made her ponder the religious sanctuary of Delphi, the ‘centre’ in Ancient Greece, where a sacred stone called omphalos was placed.
• Some of the amazing paintings by Celene E. Bridge in Omphalos.
“Archaeology, world mythology and Greco-Roman myths in particular fascinate me,” Bridge says.
“The crossover of imagery, symbols and stories from differing time periods and cultures is captivating.
“Megalithic sites and stones have always been of interest to me, and the importance placed on stones of all forms by mankind.”
Featuring 25 mixed media artworks, Omphalos is a striking exhibition that fuses Ancient Greece with Victorian gothic.
The end result is beautiful and slightly unsettling, like The Time Machine meets Caligula.
The Chook especially likes the oil paintings on wood panels, which look like they were painted centuries ago.
A particular and rather disturbing highlight is Sparagmos, where a nude woman is clutching a man’s head in her diaphanous skirt.
There’s also a painting on cloth depicting Perseus freeing Andromeda, and a large hand-carved stone inscribed with scenes from a dream about a myth of four eagles.
The exhibition will be held in the dim and highly atmospheric PS Art Space in Fremantle.
“I am hoping it will be a space where people are able to spend time with the work,” Bridge says.
“I like to contemplate the whole space, where even the pillars holding the structure of this 1907 Federation-style warehouse are considered with how the work is presented.”
Since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Fashion and Textile Design) from Curtin Uni in 2012, Bridge has held numerous group and solo exhibitions in the Perth Metro region including The Fearmongered Beast and its Religion of Violence in Freo, and Veoir in Claremont.
She has also been shortlisted for several awards including The Lester Prize, The Elaine Bermingham National Watercolour Prize, and The Doug Moran Portrait Prize.
• Artist Celene E. Bridge is exhibiting at the PS Art Space on Pakenham Street in Fremantle.
She works mainly with oils and watercolours, but also practices stone and wood carving, and has completed courses in lapidary and jewellery.
“I always am in awe of the works of the Romantics, William Blake and Henry Fuseli, who had many symbolic and visual cross-overs in their imagery,” Bridge says.
“I like to explore and portray what imagery and feelings come to mind and not confine myself to a certain style or outcome.
“I think perhaps with an interest in humankind and sublime nature – gothic, barbaric and mysterious inevitably go hand in hand.” Omphalos is at PS Art Space from October 4-19 with opening night on Friday October 3. For more info see psas.com.au and celenebridge.com.
by STEPHEN POLLOCK