Rhythm Sequence

Rhythm sequence is the first career survey of Australian artist Gemma Smith, and it's showing at QUT Art Museum from 17 August to 27 October.

Featuring more than 40 paintings and sculptures drawn from collections across Australia, the exhibition traces the development of Smith’s practice since 2003 and its experimentation with the language of painting. It celebrates Smith’s reworking of abstract codes and styles, as well as her testing of colour, form and painterly gestures.

Many of the works are being shown for the first time since their original exhibition. Included are a collection of Smith’s earliest paintings depicting crystalline forms and geometric compositions on chessboards; sculptural ‘boulders’ and ‘adaptables’ where colours are reconfigured and interact; as well as hard edge and gestural works that explore the blocking, translucency and opacity of paints. The exhibition also includes Smith’s most recent works in which colour is barely perceptible.

Nice to know - Gemma Smith is an alumnus of QUT, and her work is held in the QUT Art Collection. Rhythm sequence is a UNSW Galleries exhibition. According to Director and exhibition curator, José Da Silva, Gemma is one of the most significant painters working in Australia today.

Need to know - Exhibition opening night is Friday 16 August from 6-8pm, with canapes and light refreshments provided. RSVP essential. There's also an artist talk - Compelled by colour: In conversation with Gemma Smith from 2pm-3pm, Saturday 17 August.

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