About

appnosis is an exhibition that explores my observations and interpretations of the conventions of representation found in contemporary mass media. My work reflects on the visual dialogue presented to us through exposure to electronic media such as smart phones, computers and advertising. I am fascinated by the aesthetics that are used to sell particular ideas, products and experiences and the visual stimulants used in advertising to attract our gaze. The images pass so fleetingly that the connection between the activities of seeing and comprehending is often lost. Mass media strives to grab our attention and stimulate our emotions quickly in order to sell us a product or idea and conform to commercial ideologies. Advertising, pop ups, smart phone apps, social media and TV commercials intermingle and compete for our attention. While confusing, the images they present are also often beautiful.

This beauty is represented as an abstracted interpretation in my paintings. Movement is created within the space of the canvas when the colour, line and form negotiate with one another and funnel one’s vision into a multitude of equally competing directions. In doing so, the colours ultimately lose their own identity to a sense of conformity. The viewer encounters an onslaught of perceptual movement and space which repels and the eye and at the same time encourages it to seek. This creates the experience for the viewer of “seeing” detached from the expectations that some techniques of advertising create.

Paula Garrard

Paula Garrard lives and works in the Blue Mountains NSW, Australia. Paula Started her art career studying at the Nepean Arts and Design Centre, graduating with distinction Diploma of Fine Arts. In 2004 she graduated with a BVA Honours degree from the Sydney Collage of the Arts, where her fascination with perspectives and abstraction developed. Paula has exhibited her work at the Western Plains Cultural centre Regional space, Damian Minton Gallery, Albion Street Gallery and Parliament House Sydney. Her work was featured part of the Expose program at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre followed by a solo show at Penrith Regional Gallery and the University of Western Sydney. In 2015 Paula had her first international solo exhibition in Rome.

Education

2000-2004 Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours), Sydney College of the Arts, NSW Australia

1999-2000 Diploma, Fine Arts (Distinction) Nepean Arts & Design Centre, NSW Australia

1992-1998 Certificate foundation II & III Nepean Arts & Design Centre, NSW Australia

Solo Exhibitions
2016 ‘Beyond the Download’ Gallery One 88,Katoomba

2015 'Paintings on Paper' Holistic Arts Academy, Art Gallery Via dei Salumi 51 Rome, Italy

2015 'Appnotic’ UWS gallery, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, NSW

2014 'Appnosis’ expose program , Blue Mountains City Gallery, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Katoomba NSW

2012 ‘2020' 'collaboration with Tamara Mendels' A Jon Frum & Robert Lake presentation, Damian Minton Gallery, Sydney.

2011 ‘2020’ Paula Garrard ‘New Paintings’ A Jon Frum & Robert Lake presentation, Damian Minton Gallery, Sydney.

2011 ‘Encounter” New Paintings, Paula Garrard, Albion Street Gallery, Surrey Hills, Sydney

2010 'Paula Garrard paintings 2010' The Roxy Theatre, Linfield, Sydney

2009 ‘Colouring Space’ Dubbo Regional Gallery, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo

2008-09 ‘Free Details’ New Paintings, Paula Garrard, Albion Street Gallery, Surrey Hills, Sydney

2004 ‘Pellucid’ Paula Garrard, Exit Gallery, Rozelle, Sydney

2002 ‘Parallax’ Paula Garrard, Mars Hill Café, Parramatta

Published Articles
2016 Blue Mountains Gazette,Local News, Blue Mnts NSW

2015 The Penrith Press, Art & entertainment, Penrith & Districts NSW

2011 The Daily Telegraph, Best weekend ‘Live Art’ Sydney

2011 Blue Mountains Gazette, Arts & Entertainment, Blue Mnts NSW

2011 Sydney Morning Herald, Spectrum ‘Open Gallery’ Sydney

2011 Grazia Magazine ‘Living It up’ Australia wide

2011 Art Almanac Australia, Artist Profiles, Australia wide

2009 The Art Life (on line arts magazine) art life blog spot, exhibition review Andrew Frost

2009 Dubbo Photo News, artist profile, Dubbo NSW

Selected Group Exhibitions

2019 'Catch Up' Tap Gallery, Sydney

2015 'No Time’ Holistic Arts Academy, Art Gallery Via dei Salumi 51 Rome, Italy

2015 ‘Kangaroos Visit' Palazzo Velli Expo, Piazza di Sant’Egidio, Rome Italy

2015 ‘Kangaroos Visit' Gallery Club Marconi, NSW

2015&2014 ‘Collectors Edition #1 & #2' Blue Mountains City Gallery, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Katoomba NSW

2014 ‘Colour and Light’ by curatorial invitation, Penrith Regional Gallery & Lewers Bequest, Emu Plains NSW

2012 ‘Harvest: Six Years of the Regional Art Space’ by selected invitation, Dubbo Regional Gallery, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo NSW

2012 ‘3XThe Perception’ Albion Street Gallery, Surrey Hills, Sydney NSW

2011 ‘Abstract Art Now’ Glenbrook Community Centre, Blue Mountains NSW

2010 ’Invitation’ Braemar Gallery, Springwood NSW

2008 'Tripping the Life Domestic' Braemar Gallery, Springwood NSW

2007 ‘Précis III’ Braemar Gallery, Springwood NSW

2005 ‘Student Diversity’ Fountain Court Gallery, Parliament House, Sydney

2005 ‘Précis II’ Braemar Gallery, Springwood NSW

2004 ‘Sydney College of the Arts Honours, Graduation show' Roselle, NSW

2002 ‘S.P.A.T’ Newspace Gallery, Roselle, NSW

2002 ‘Sydney College of the Arts BVA, Graduation show' Roselle, NSW

2000 ‘Kiss My Art’ Graduation show' Trapezium Gallery, Nepean Arts & Design Centre NSW

1999 ‘The Raw Truth’ Trapezium Gallery, Nepean Arts & Design Centre NSW

1998 ‘Prime Cuts’ Meadowbank, TAFE, NS

Paula Garrard Paintings

Showcasing Paula Garrard Paintings

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