Mark Hutchins Gallery, Wellington 2009
Review of Himmel Exhibition, Art News Autumn 2009, by Katy Corner
At Mark Hutchins Gallery late last year Lorraine Rastorfer's paintings combined formal elegance with an uplifting sense of motion rooted in human dynamics. In the mid 1990's she worked exhibited in Japan and her interest in the subtle Japanese aesthetic continues.
She has discovered a process of 'weaving' multiple layers of transparent paint and irridescent varnish to create a charged atmosphere. Precise and random elements join to animate the surface.
Rastorfer carves notches from a screen printing squeegee which is then coated in medium and moved rhythmically around the surface. As the paint is dipped and folded, spaces ebb and flow; light seems to become absorbed into the work. Rastorfer says, "the most difficult part comes when I have to make a decision whether the work is right or I'm going to have another go before it dries."
She says," Part of the reason I like to leave the marks is that they're a strong indicator there's something other than just the surface. There's actually something you can look behind."
Rastorfer is interested in creating a psychological atmosphere involving space and time and there's immense depth and solidity to such light, effortless apparitions. Like a conjurer, she places her forces in motion, manipulating them until it's all there, complete and working beautifully - so effortless we don't realise what a tremendous balancing act these paintings are."
(Ach)Du Liebe Himmel (2008) Acrylic om wooden panel. 2400 x 1200mm
Black Pearl (2009) acrylic and pearlescent pigment on board, 3 x 1800 x 1200mm (Available from Milford Galleries, Dunedin)
Abend Himmel (2008), acrylic on wooden panel. 1920 x 1200mm
Intrinsic (2008) acrylic on panel, 1200 x 1200mm
Das Meer (2009) acrylic and pearlescent pigment on panel, 1200 x 1200mm,
Diva (2009) acrylic and pearlescent pigment on panel, 1200 x 1200mm
Blute (2009) acrylic and pearlescent pigment on panel, 1200 x 1200mm, (Private Collection)
The Fates III, (2009/10) Acrylic and pearlescent pigment on panels. 1000 x 1600mm, Finalist Wallace Arts Awards 2011 (Available from OREXART, Auckland)
The Fates II, (2009/10) Acrylic and pearlescent pigment on panels. 1000 x 1600mm, Finalist Wallace Arts Awards 2011, (Available from Mobile Art, Auckland )
The Fates I, (2009/10) Acrylic and pearlescent pigment on panels. 1000 x 1600mm, Finalist Wallace Arts Awards 2011, (Available from OREXART, Auckland )
The Fates I, (2009/10) Acrylic and pearlescent pigment on panels. 1000 x 1600mm, Triptych Finalist Wallace Arts Awards 2011, (Available from OREXART Auckland)
Elixir (2009) 1500 x 1200mm, Acrylic on panel, (Available from OREXART, Auckland)
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