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Dean Cross, José Da Silva and Jay Johnston FAHA , Judges of the 68th Blake Prize
acrylic on carved woodblock ● 120cm round
This carved woodblock was inspired by the unlikely intersection between black holes and the wrathful nature of the Buddhist and Hindu deity Mahākāla, known as the Great Black One and God of Time.
Black holes and Mahākāla are terrifying oddities, presenting profound intellectual challenges to scholars of their time.
Guided by astrophysics, and leaning on the visual language of Tibetan thangka, I composed the artwork using the structure of a black hole and placed a mystic figure in the centre with the tools we deploy to explore the universe.
By embracing science and religion, this painting explores the story of humanity's insatiable desire to understand the world around us.
Kean Onn See 2024
Black Hole: Ruthless Preceptor of Space and Time is also a selected finalist in the 2023 Sir John Sulman Prize at the AGNSW
acrylic on carved woodblock ● 75 x 100 cm
Reminiscence
Acrylic on carved woodblock.
75 cm x 100 cm.
This carved and painted woodblock depicts a moment during that perfect afternoon in my studio. The paintings on the pegboard have new homes now.
I kicked off my Japanese slippers and removed my work apron. I was about to leave the room and there it was, a moment of stillness and gratitude.
Growing up as a child in Malaysia I once secretly wanted to be a painter. Back then it was a childish dream. As an adult I embraced the life of an artist after the death of my father during the pandemic. I knew it would be a tough road, but “Do things when you are young, don’t wait”, Dad said. Those parting words were his last gift to me, the best gift.
I love my studio. It is bright. It is small. It is peaceful. It is perfect.
They have spirited away, but the memories of creating remain, and fill me with gratitude and a touch of nostalgia, if not melancholy. I miss him.
making processacrylic on carved woodblock ● 82.5 cm x 42.5 cm
Chair from the Salvos .
Acrylic on carved woodblock.
82.5 cm x 42.5 cm.
I found this chair when I was helping a close friend pick up her furniture from the Salvos Store at Tempe, in Sydney.
It was love at first sight and I knew it would be a perfect ‘sitter’.
I love how it stands and looks so sure about itself. Sitting on it is like sitting on a throne, your arms resting perfectly on the sides, back upright, almost encouraging you to be as proud as it is.
Curving just the right way, it arches beautifully, purposefully performing its duty. The workmanship makes me think of its maker, working with his or her hands shaping each component with care, to bring the chair to life.
Carved then painted on woodblock, this portrait of a chair from the Salvos is part of a series of my studio in Newtown. I positioned the chair near the window surrounded by the objects I love. And I love my studio. It is a refuge, and I’m glad this chair from the Salvos is part of it.
making process23 September – 29 October 2023
1 Art Gallery Way, Mosman NSW 2088
