studio/2025

retrospective

exhibition

Petersham Studios

319 Trafalgar St PETERSHAM SYDNEY

The Iconic Petersham Studios, a Modernist Industrial Building is now awaiting an intensive redevelopment. So it is with much regret after 10 years of having an excellent studio space it is time to move on. Counting the three decades of studio practice in various Sydney studios  I have been  fortunate over this time to be able to have inspiring  studios around the inner West of Sydney and a waterfront at  Blackwattle studios Glebe and overseas studios. An exhibition with a “retrospective“ focus, occurred  to me as I had work stored away (many works never shown) and a large space to exhibit.   I am a  multidiscipline artist whose practice seamlessly bridges innovation via materiality,  with an abstraction overview, so as to tie together all the works over the years (from 1995) it  was understandable  that it would take some analysis.   However I soon realised this will not be a sophisticated show with sharp white walls.  Uncovering and rediscovering early works, wrapped and stored away   for  some time, now sit side by side in the studio creating an interesting  visual montage of past and present.     Curated with   an overview and reflection of my work over the years it is no surprise that experimentation is what drives me, particularly with found materials (industrial) and found items (ready made). Available works (many never shown previously or totally resolved)  seemingly combine  various experimentations and ideas  that have explored themes that focus on the daily practise, daily life and the   unexpected. The  work is often made from a diverse range of found things. It is an investigation of the ordinary from the perspective of the "found" be it the rejected, the disposable, the overlooked that becomes an intrinsically   part of the creative process and through the materiality it defines  how the work evolves. All discovered things create vital possibilities that are transcended through a daily practice of living the everyday aesthetically.  Allowing spontaneity, freedom, chance encounters and the unexpected, are  of utmost importance of  the working process. This over the years is my way of being (a simple life)  as a support for my work, perhaps with my urgency of needing to experiment there is always a movable idea floating around depending on what has arrived in my studio. This I have questioned myself often and dismiss it as I move with what I have either found or been gifted or stumbled upon or observed that day. (daily life). 

MARLENE SARROFF

2023/24 Assemblage using cardboard juxtaposed with metallic painted surfaces. Bronze, Gold and Silver over a flat surface with shaped cardboard chosen for the variant shades in the cardboard shapes chosen.

2003/4 Random Order. 440 cms length x 120 cms width Builders paper, Lino printing, acrylic washes. (can be shown as two single works )

2025 Preparing for the exhibition. Sorting and discovering works from (1995/2000) many never shown. Experimenting with materials . Is part of a journey and the process determines what works .

Image : Rob Sarroff

Image: “invading the space” Exhibited at New Modern RNOP Melbourne 2019 Image : Jo Kitas (right)

2023 Assemblage over stretched canvas: (Not previously exhibited)

2022 Repetition and Symmetry a readymade series from found materials (discarded wooden blinds) (Not previously exhibited)

“Codify/Code-Defy “Series 2002 Acrylic, foil, canvas 300x90cms Exhibited Dank Street Project Space Waterloo Sydney.

Setting up the Exhibition Image: Rob Sarroff

2024 OFF THE WALL : Paint Scrapings from the Studio Wall, reused and carefully arranged onto stretched canvas.

Image: Rob Sarroff

2024 Exhibition :The overall painted silver surface highlights the irregular lines made by the fold on each cardboard work creating a series emphasising a minimal aesthetic. Material :flattened large cardboard boxes.

2023/4 Experimental works using cardboard selected for the various hues over stretched canvas painted in bronze metallic acrylic. (First Time Exhibited)

2020 Textured Material over stretched canvas highlighting the edges.

2018. Assemblage Series with found pieces over shaped boards ( not shown )

2006 WALL WORK : Lino Cut, Acrylic Wash over Found Antique Silk WallPaper over canvas stretcher. Series 1/4 works 150/80 cms 2 works collected by Hyundai Head office Seoul South Korea

2005 STRIATIONS :CARDBOARD over stretched Canvas (Emergence Exhibition)

2012“prototype No 5” Shown in Scope Miami Art Fair with Factory 49 Sydney. Material: Vinyl Translucent plastic wrapped around.

2006 COMPLEX DYNAMICS. An ordinary material , builders tar paper, despite being an industrial product, a transformation occurs and creates, something new and illuminating. A A metaphor for the transforming energies of life. The paper is scratched into and a scarification pattern appearance also makes through burning with a soldering iron creating spontaneous random patterns that builds a static and dynamic tension. Backed with a reflective metallic bronze canvas foil material EXHIBITION 2006 below

Abstraction: 60x60 cms (Not Exhibited)

1999 INDIA : Impressions of India Small Works Acrylic Paintings on Cardboard (2nd row)Large works 150 x 150 cms acrylic over canvas

1997 Blackwattle Studios :INFLUENCES: Lino cuts, rubber stamps influenced from travel in Indonesia. Layering and patterning of Lino prints made with my impression of observing the rich textiles of the country. Works on stretched canvas. (Not exhibited)

1995/1998 BlackWattle Studios/ Builders Tar Paper/ Mark Making Acrylic and Bitumen washes line and symbolic forms.

Image : Studio Blackwattle 1995.

Left View from the Blackwattle Studio Right Painting with acrylic and bitumen on Tar Paper. 150 x 100 cms 1995.