TURNER GALLERIES... 2017 EXHIBITIONS

andrew gaynor, catalogue essay essay, 2017

Trevor Richards continues to be inspired by pattern in this extraordinary exhibition of new artworks.

These patterns are most often found in the everyday, whether that be the terrazzo patterned floors in his own home, or the tessellated surfaces discovered on walls, floors and ceilings whilst travelling overseas. Architectural spaces and forms also continue to intrigue Richards. Indeed, the artworks in this exhibition are directly inspired by his chance encounter with The Salt Shed in Manhattan. This new building houses salt rock used to deal with snowy streets, and its facade has been described as looking like "a modern art painting come to life, all angles and edges." How appropriate that it has become the inspiration for Richards' new series of hard edge contemporary paintings.

Richards' immediate attraction to the Salt Shed is not surprising. Its geometric facade resonates with the shapes within many of his paintings from recent years. His new paintings continue to incorporate geometric shafts of colour that, especially in the more monochromatic works, imply a three dimensional surface, with the dark areas emulating shadow and the light becoming surfaces that appear to lean out towards the viewer. Also included in this exhibition are studies on paper, where Richards experiments with colour and shape combinations before embarking on large scale paintings. Perhaps the most impressive addition to this exhibition is the wallpaper designed by Richards that will span one of the gallery walls.

Trevor Richards has been exhibiting professionally for nearly 40 years and was included in the prestigious WA Focus series held at The Art Gallery of WA in 2016. He is also highly sought after for his public artworks which include work at the new Fiona Stanley Hospital, Turner Galleries facade, Roadworks at Curtin University, and the Mindarie Senior College Sports Hall. Richards' paintings and sculptures can be found in many important collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of WA, Artbank, University of WA, Murdoch University, Bankwest, Australian Capital Equity, Edith Cowan University and Royal Perth Hospital.

an index of possibilities 1-60 acrylic polymer paint on canvas 20.5 x 31cm each 2015-2016 $450 each sold 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 18, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, 32, 37, 41, 44, 47, 48, 51, 52, 53, 56, 57, 58
sketch 1 [SS series] acrylic on paper 49 x 59cm 2016 $1,000 sold to city of melville	sketch 2 [SS series] acrylic on paper 49 x 59cm 2016 $1,000 sold to city of melville
sketch 3 [SS series] acrylic on paper 49 x 59cm 2016 $1,000 sold to city of melville	sketch 4 [SS series] acrylic on paper 49 x 59cm 2016 $1,000
untitled 4 [salt shed series] acrylic polymer paint on canvas 38.5 x 98cm 2016 $2,000
sketch 5 [SS series] acrylic on paper 49 x 59cm 2016 $1,000 sold	untitled 1 [Salt Shed series] acrylic polymer paint on canvas 150 x 200cm 2016 $11,000
untitled 2 [Salt Shed series] acrylic polymer paint on canvas 70 x 123cm 2016 $5,000	untitled 5 [Salt Shed series] acrylic polymer paint on canvas 77 x 49cm 2016 $2,000
future past acrylic polymer paint on canvas 58 x 138cm 2016 $5,000 sold to the art gallery of WA
wallpaper woven polyester fabric variable size 2016 POA	untitled 3 [Salt Shed series] acrylic polymer paint on canvas 115 x 118cm 2016 $5,500
untitled 6 [Salt Shed series] acrylic polymer paint on canvas 30.5 x 40.5cm 2016 $800	untitled 7 [Salt Shed series] acrylic polymer paint on canvas 30.5 x 40.5cm 2016 $800 SOLD
untitled 8 [Salt Shed series] acrylic polymer paint on canvas 150 x 200cm 2016 $11,000	untitled 9 [Salt Shed series] acrylic polymer paint on canvas 38.5 x 49cm 2016 $1,000
blueorangegreen resin on mdf 30 x 30cm [x3] 2016 $1,200 sold