A Feast For The Eyes

Artists Deirdre Bean and Mirra Whale explore the concept of Australian coastal populations consuming large amounts of seafood in A Feast for the Eyes, at Mitchell Fine Art from Aug 2-26.

With this large continent of ours boasting predominantly coastal-dwelling populations, we can all appreciate that having a vast array of fresh sea creatures to eat is a part of our lives. The exhibition shows how both artists connect with this notion, with internationally recognised botanical and natural history artist, Deirdre Bean, saying that the sea creatures represent nostalgic connections to her past: "Since my childhood I have been inspired by the natural world... My father was an expert fisherman, and it seemed we had an endless supply of food from the sea. My recent paintings are inspired by those times." 

Mirra Whale, a Sydney-based painter, drawer and print maker, says that the creatures connect to the way we consume and celebrate the overlooked beauty in the everyday: "...My paintings are drawn from a deep curiosity I have with life, with death, mortality and humanity... The fish paintings are about being at the top of the food chain, the industry, indulgence and the way we live both economically and environmentally..."

Both artists explore the tradition of still life in A Feast for the Eyes, with Whale challenging our understanding of objects often excluded from traditional still life compositions. Bean's work shifts slightly from her usual botanical illustrations to include eating utensils and plates as part of still life studies.  

Need to know - Both artists will attend the Opening Night on Friday, 4 August from 6-8pm, and will present an Artist Talk on Saturday, 5 August at 2pm.

To view the exhibition online, visit the Mitchell Fine Art Gallery website.

By Vicki Englund

Mitchell Fine Art is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com