Seed Gallery - Natasha Cantwell, Paddy O'Rourke, Kristin Perrett

Natasha Cantwell, Paddy O'Rourke, Kristin Perrett 12 - 23 August 2009 preview 11 August 6-8pm
Seed Gallery is pleased to present a selection of new works by Natasha Cantwell, Paddy O'Rourke and Kristin Perrett. [click on artist's name in bold for a biography]
A photographer’s desire to document what they see around them can lead them to miss out on living in the moment. Natasha Cantwell is constantly debating the degree to which her camera may intrude on her life. Photographing her hometown of Auckland as well as the places she discovers in her travels, Cantwell has developed a particular interest in environments and objects that speak of the human desire to preserve and immortalise. The three photographs in this exhibition are from a current series which relates to our yearning for preservation and the price we pay for it. From religion to science, we are offered many prospects for eternal life, most of which are contingent on relinquishing the life we have.
Paddy O'Rourke merges contemporary and historical imagery sourced from both popular and high culture to create bizarre, open ended and ambiguous narratives. His recent work incorporates various mark making and dark room development techniques, continuing his ongoing investigation into and manipulation of the formal properties of the photographic medium. These works are underpinned by a surreal element; the result of discrepancies between techniques, content, contexts and forms. O’Rourke is interested in temporal issues and how past, present and future can be conflated to exist all at once in an art work. He also explores surface in all senses of the word: as image on a substrate and as a reference to myths of identity and history.
Kristin Perrett is interested in the many facets of popular culture. Her subjects range from the essential and unifying character of the London rock 'n' roll scene, to the ubiquitous sub culture of War-Gaming. In this exhibition, a series of felt appliqué vignettes depict glamorous heroines in imminent danger; under the threat of ghouls and monsters. With a playful use of unconventional media, Perrett highlights the quirks and absurdities of horror fiction.