9 – 26 March 2017
about the exhibition
Tasmanian printmaker, Michael Schlitz, maintains a delicate balance between the dark and the humorous in his narrative of psychological spaces. As he comments, “This show illustrates the various mental states I find myself in from day to day…I want to acknowledge that the environment we live in influences us all. The longer you stay in one place the more you become a part of it.” After sketching the composition spontaneously in water based ink onto a woodblock, Michael then gouges the negative space using a single tool to give definition to his bold, naïve imagery. His intense mark making covers the entire surface; the carved parallel lines surround and permeate the central figure giving the work its demanding presence. It embeds the subject within its surroundings and in doing so, draws an irrevocable link between humans and the natural world.
‘From the air’ is the first solo exhibition of Michael’s work at Beaver Galleries. He has exhibited widely throughout Australia as well as overseas and, in 2011, was selected as the winner of the Rick Amor Print Prize. Michael graduated with Honours in Fine Arts from the Tasmanian School of Art, University of Tasmania in 1996 before completing his Masters in 2000. His work is represented in collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of South Australia, Queensland Art Gallery and Tasmanian Museum and Gallery.
