"CONTEMPORARY WALL RELIEF "
by ANTONIO COLANGELO
25-05-2012 - 27-05-2012

" Exhibiting at Art Melbourne "
by GROUP EXHIBITIONS SOHO GALLERIES
25-05-2012 - 27-05-2012

"CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS"
by GRAEME BALCHIN
26-05-2012 - 27-05-2012

Exhibition Comments:

MICHAEL JENKINS  - Mixed Medium Assemblage Wall Relief 

From his birthplace in Ballarat, Jenkins completed his schooling in 1976 at Ballarat College before travelling extensively on a surfing holiday throughout Western Australia. Coming out of his carpentry apprenticeship in 1981, Jenkins' work in construction of residential and commercial buildings led him to develop a keen interest in design. In 1986, Jenkins was involved in an inner urban construction of townhouses development of warehouses to apartments and offices.  

In 1994, Jenkins moved with his family to Bayside Melbourne, purchasing an old shop in Black Rock and pioneering the innovative 'shop top' development s within the area. During this phase, Jenkins explored the notion on making transportable artforms as opposed to the relocation.  

Married to an artistic wife, Jenkins was supported in the pursuit of his artistic expression, and along with traditional building contracts, also worked on many professional photographic shoots, TV and film set productions constructions.  

From unit, home, commercial and shop top projects, to gallery café designs, Jenkins' artistic ambitions have always been at the forefront of his ambition.  

The Beaumaris Art Group has given expression to Jenkins' eye for design and detail the expression. His art continues to be recognised as being substantially unique, with many pieces taking pride of place in private collections.   

Jenkins' see the unique beauty and artistic potential of recycled timbers, signs and discarded building materials. The patina, the hue, the possibilities, the history of what lays beneath. His builder's skill ensures every piece is superbly crafted and finished, ready to capture the light and become a true conversation piece. 

Jenkins' vision is "that the people who see my work enjoy my personal interpretations and I hope to encourage artists in all mediums to continue the path to create."

Artist Statement:

    MICHAEL JENKINS

CONTEMPORARY ASSEMBLAGE WALL RELIEF       

Exhibiting Soho Galleries and Soho Annex

A fusion of creativity – from raw  material…. to inspired ‘building art’

For emerging Melbourne artist, Michael Jenkins, a keen eye for cutting-edge residential and commercial building design, including pioneering ground-breaking ‘shop top’ innovations throughout the Bayside area, led to the translation of his unique visual perceptions into exquisite pieces of art.

A natural affinity with recycled timber has seen Michael create an assemblage of movement and textures from salvaged building pieces into the pleasing aesthetic artworks that form the substance of both his many commissioned works and his exciting first exhibition.

Each work is a unique historical expression, be it from reconstructed road signs, beach bathing box timber, World War 11 artillery boxes or recycled building materials from a bygone era.

Jenkins: “This exhibition is all about my intimate creative visual perception. The signage pieces remind me of the songs from the 70’s. “The sign says you have to have a membership card to get inside’. By cutting the sign, I challenge that notion. I am extremely excited with the prospect of presenting my work to the public and their response. This exhibition explores the vulnerability of putting my creative zone on show”  Destructing a single signage, Michael challenges and reinterprets the message into a refreshing new artform.

Drawing on influences from Howard Arkley’s utilisation of vivid colours and patterns, Rosalie Gascoigne’s vision of alternative material use and John Dahlson’s belief that, with imagination, art can take many directions, Jenkins takes his architectural design successes into exciting new artistic endeavours. 

A keen surfer, much of Michael’s work echoes his strong affinity with the sea, a theme, which today, sees many commissioned works take pride of place in private collections in contemporary homes along Melbourne’s Peninsula. 

The palette of Jenkins’ vision captures the imagination and fire the spirit. Michael Jenkins’ passionate, visual journey reaches out to provoke thought and absorb beyond the boundaries of conventional art.

See MICHAEL JENKINS's CV

View all works in this exhibition by MICHAEL JENKINS
View all work by MICHAEL JENKINS