Braddon Snape: Things are not as they appear
This exhibition continues Braddon Snape's performative process of the often-described miraculous, method of cold inflated steel.
Braddon Snape’s work demonstrates a knowing confidence in dealing with the tradition of an artist working in three dimensions. In his case it involves a somewhat gruelling physical and mental rigour in turning materials into things that resonate in our visual imagination. Since 2014 Snape has been working with a unique approach involving the welding of steel sheets together and inflating them into a variety of forms with compressed air. These works literally express the process of inspiration, with the breath of a pneumatic pump giving them unique presence and personality. Imitating puffed up pillows, paper bags, wine bladders, that are leaned, strung and manipulated in ways that work against the expectations of minimalist sculpture to be true to form and materials. These works are poetic, inferential, and incite the peripheral imagination.
Working with these same materials, this new body of work provides an exciting if not visually exhilarating turn. The liquid and refractive surfaces of these new works serves to blur and destabilise their orientation towards the viewer. They seem to be literally unzipping the firm signs of their manufacture as steel sheets and appear to be spilling out into the surrounding space articulating both the light and the air. Not just mirrors, but a transformation of the movement of air and light particles into a liquid dance. This is like a moment of rapture, or even rupture, where things that have been held in, come spilling out in an ecstatic release. Breathing bodies understand such states as the rhythm of expiration and inspiration, the slow release of breath. It is the state also of wonder, where clear boundaries are transcended, not as an idea, but as a felt sense of delight!
Excerpt from essay by Dr Rod Pattenden.
This extraordinary exhibition has been made possible with the support of Nanda Hobbs Gallery, Sydney and is on view until 4:00pm Sunday 6 February 2022.
Image credits:
Top: Allusive Object (Spiky pod II), 2021, Object: Welded and mirror polished inflated stainless steel. Black portal: Acrylic paint Light source: Focusing light and attachment. Object: 58 x 29 x 29cm, Black ellipse: 213 x 126cm, Light array: variable (approx. 500cm wide x 3m high depending on ambient light conditions, (detail). Courtesy of the artist.
Homepage square: Single Fold Hung n Strung, 2016, Welded and mirror polished inflated stainless steel.Ratchet strap, 180 x 120 x 60 cm. (detail). Courtesy of the artist.
Slider: Allusive Object (3 faced pod), 2021, Welded and mirror polished inflated stainless steel, 33 x 33 x 33 cm. Courtesy of the artist.
Related Pages
InlandSee
A survey exhibition presenting a cross section of contemporary art from diverse artistic voices in New South Wales.
Past Exhibitions
Showcasing past exhibitions of local and national artists, the permanent collection and touring exhibitions.
Riverstones and Ramifications: Bronwyn Bancroft
This exhibition celebrates the deep connection between the artist and her Uncle Pat Bancroft.
Self: A Northern Rivers Creative Group show
Featuring the work of Xanthe Dobbie, Stephen Garrett, Laith McGregor, Antoinette O'Brien, Fabian Pertzel and Joe Swepson.
Kylie Caldwell: Woven Dreams
Presenting woven artworks created through both ancient form and contemporary artistry.
River to the Sea
Celebrating the magnificent Clarence River and surrounding landscape through the eyes of renowned national and local artists.
UNWRAPPING: Desire, Allure and the Culture of Single Use Plastic
This exhibition engages with the Clarence community to break down our complex relationship with plastics, tackling our urgent environmental issues
Our Place: Celebrating the Clarence
Celebrating the Clarence Valley and the creativity of our local community.
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE 2020
This exhibition celebrates the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects
DRAWN: Another View
Showcasing recent works on paper by Clarence Valley artists.
COLLECTION: Local First Nations Curator Dani Gorogo
A selection of works from the collection.
For the Love of Drawing: Pam Fysh
Presenting a selection of works exploring the diversity of Pam's practice.
Summer Sensations
Celebrating artists of the Clarence Valley
RESIST-STANCE: Blak Douglas & Jason Wing
A micro survey show of hand-picked works seen for the first time on Bundjalung Country.
Birdsong: Robert Moore
This exhibition affirms the artists fascination with birds, living and working in the bush they are a constant in the landscape.
Re-Collect: Lyndall Phelps
This exhibition explores the recurring themes of collecting, nature and history which dominate Phelps’ art practice.
Archibald Prize 2022
An Art Gallery of NSW touring exhibition
Young Archie 2022
Australia's cutest art prize
Catherine O'Donnell: Beyond the Shadow
A survey exhibition of the artists practice over the last decade.
Strutt's Compendium of Curiosities: Catherine & Jennifer Strutt
Presenting a classic Strutt Sister's compendium of curious assemblage works.
Figuring Ground
Figuring Ground is a major survey exhibition of artwork from LGBTQ+ artists from across the nation, curated by queer artist and curator Abbra Kotlarczyk.
Relative Terrains: Karma Barnes & Robert Franken
An immersive exhibition celebrating the power of collaboration.
A4 Draw
An exhibition of drawings by established and emerging artists from the Clarence Valley, Northern Rivers and North Coast.
Narcissus: Alun Rhys Jones
This exhibition investigates and deconstructs the traditional tropes of masculinity.
DOBELL DRAWING PRIZE #23
Australia's leading prize for drawing, an unparalleled celebration of drawing technique, innovation and expanded drawing practices.
Drawn from the Collection
A selection of drawings from the permanent collection.
Kellie O'Dempsey: Wish you Were Here
An immersive installation of collaged works on paper, projected animation, sound and Augmented Reality.
Jennifer Keeler-Milne: Close Focus
Jennifer's work is concerned with depicting natural objects, revealing the mystery and beauty in these forms.
Cher Breeze: 339 Steps...
An exhibition of works responding to Cher tracing the footsteps of her forbears.
Madeleine Richey: Proud To Be A Binge
This exhibition continues Madeleine's dedication to learning about her Kamilaroi culture.
Rindi Salomon and Andrew Shillam: Interior with Figures
An exhibition of paintings and sculptures.
A PRINTER'S PROOF: The Fred Genis Collection
An exhibition of prints from master lithographer Fred Genis who collaborated with leading artists from around the world during his forty year career.
DORIS O'GRADY: Mushrooms
Doris's mushroom paintings and sketches from the Grafton Regional Gallery Collection.
THE MUSH ROOM
An interactive family maker's space that explores the wonderful world of mushrooms.
PLIABLE PLANES | Expanded Textiles & Fibre Practices
Presenting contemporary Australian textiles and fibre art in expansive and plural forms.
BLAKE LAWRENCE | Psittacines
An exhibition comprising photography, large-scale cyanotype textiles, installation and performance.
CASS SAMMS | Towards Extinction: Into the Afterlife
Bringing attention to the issues surrounding threatened species, extinction, and humankinds impact on the species of Australia.
CLAUDIE FROCK | Gather
This exhibition explores relationship to place through sustainable foraging and collaboration with the land.
HOW TO MAKE A PORTRAIT OF A BIRD: Artworks from the Collection
This selection of artworks draws our attention to the beauty and fragility of Australia's endemic flora and fauna.