A print survey by Edith Cowan University at Moores Gallery in Fremantle has challenged questions of what printmaking might be through investigations across a wide range of traditional and non-traditional approaches. Works including those by Jillian Ciemitis, formed part of a special feature of the exhibition; – the “Global Echo” will concurrently exhibit a collected survey of selected printmakers in international venues including New York, Karachi, Sheffield, Lancashire and Utah.
© ‘Making Sense of Place #4’ 2007 watercolour on paper Peteris Ciemitis
A portrait of the late Professor George Seddon (entitled “Making Sense of Place #4”) by Perth based artist Peteris Ciemitis has been accepted as a gift to the National Portrait Gallery by it’s owner, his widow Marli Wallace … who said Seddon would have been very pleased and quietly proud of the gift. “It will ensure it is on display for all to see. I have been privileged to mind it for a while.”
(excerpt from Artist’s Chronicle, Issue 136 Jan/Feb 2011)
Executive Director of Artrinsic Inc. Tina Wilson, opened a new solo exhibition by Peteris Ciemitis, ‘Disquiet’, to a packed gallery at Gadfly in Perth. Paired with a concurrent exhibition (‘Menagerie’ by Esther Erlich), the exhibition ‘Disquiet’ presents samplings of work by Peteris Ciemitis over the past 18 months. The images in the exhibition circle around ephemerality, tension, transience and resolution.
Peteris Ciemitis presented a one hour artist talk at Gadfly Gallery 6pm November 4, 2010
© ‘Archer’ 2010 acrylic on linen Peteris Ciemitis
Peteris Ciemitis has received the Black Swan Prize for his portrait of Australian performer, festival director and arts advocate Robyn Archer. Judges comprised Artrinsic Board Member, Carl Altmann; former Chair of the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA), Helen Cook and Director of the AGWA, Stefano Carboni, who remarked: “The colours are subtle while the finer details are suggestive of the underlying structure of the sitter’s features. In addition, there is that delightful essential which is the assured ability to draw. It was Michelangelo who maintained that before one could paint, one must be able to draw, which means that the artist has to be skilled in observation and engagement with the sitter. The painting invites the viewer to come in close as though to examine the landscape of the face.”
The 2010 Black Swan Prize drew extensive National entries, and hung 42 finalists reflecting work by leading artists from each State. In recognition of its rapid ascent, the Prize was also the subject of a documentary production.
View an excerpt from the documentary here:
Leading Sydney Gallery, Gallery@28, opens a themed group exhibition of erotic images on June 30, 2010, featuring Peteris Ciemitis amongst its selection of invited artists.
A 2010 survey of printmedia in Western Australia has featured prints by Jillian Ciemitis. The ‘by-invitation’ exhibition, curated by Shelley Cowper and Krissie Dawson comprised outstanding works by 28 printmedia students and staff of (inter alia) the University of Edith Cowan (ECU), University of Western Australia (UWA) and Curtin University.
Jillian and Peteris Ciemitis bought a collection of works described by the Sydney Star Observer as “extraordinary and personal portraits” to the Depot II Gallery in Waterloo, Sydney. The exhibition, “Es” (“self” in Latvian) and “Id” (primitive subconscious) aimed to stir ideas of unsettled emotional undercurrents. The exhibition was opened by Nick Vickers (Director of the Alumni Gallery, University of Sydney) opened to a gathered audience of over a hundred attendees.
DEPOT II GALLERY, 2 Danks Street, Waterloo, Sydney, NSW
Invited again by the Perth Blues Club to be Artist in Residence for their annual New Orleans style Mardi Gras, Peteris Ciemitis has produced a ‘sketchbook’ of images from the event. Drawn plein air of live, vibrant performances, the images represent an evolving body of work recording the evolution of Perth’s pre-eminent blues festival.
The exhibition, “Displacement and Belonging” opened by Diana Warnock on December 5, features work by Peteris Ciemitis, Lidija Dombrovska-Larsen, Selga Esots, Indra Geidans, Maija Kins, Garielle Mazalevskis, Maris Raudzins, Lolita Skye-Lark, Arvids Sodums and Len Zuks. “Critically acclaimed for his luminous portraits, (Ciemitis) also showed landscapes on paper” (Lyn DeCiero, Artists Chronicle, Issue No 130)
Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery, 46 Henry Street, Fremantle
December 5 to December 18, 2009. Daily: 10am to 5pm
© ‘Bella’ photograph Jillian Ciemitis
Max Pam opened the graduate photomedia exhibition at Spectrum Project Space, Highgate on November 6, 2009. Covering a range of contemporary photomedia, the exhibition featured recent photographs, including ‘Bella” by Jillian Ciemitis.
c i e m i t i s + a r t 