Justin Scivetti | Distant Skies
Floating somewhere between the real and surreal, Justin Scivetti paints landscapes which imbue otherworldly fantasy, conjuring a quiet and dreamy stillness.
Words: Sophie Blanshard
Silo by Justin Scivetti from his exhibition, DISTANT SKIES.
Sweat, Dust and Beer by Justin Scivetti from his exhibition, DISTANT SKIES.
Melbourne-based emerging artist Justin Maurice Scivetti creates captivating works which depict the Australian landscape and built environment in muted, soft and dusty colours. His latest exhibition, DISTANT SKIES, which opens at Saint Cloche Gallery this Wednesday, is a reflection of the curiosities and magnificence of the places the artist has visited in the Australian landscape, drawn from a trip to the ‘Silver City’ (Broken Hill) and the uniquely Australian desert at the western edge of New South Wales.
Justin Scivetti’s subdued tones and low-saturation schemes in each painting are a unique refection of the light found across Australia, “Through the use of light and shadow, vibrant hues, and attention to the quality of atmosphere, the paintings seek to create an otherworldly dreaminess,” says Justin. And dreamy they are - from the exterior of a silo, an abandoned mine to an old miner’s cottage, the paintings reveal the artist’s fascination with Australia’s nature, horticulture and built environment. Justin pours a lot of himself into each painting, “The paintings are me, I spend a lot of time reflecting while I make the paintings,” shares Justin.
Mine by Justin Scivetti from his exhibition, DISTANT SKIES.
“Memory and sketches of what I felt and saw makes up for a lot of what goes into creating the works. In some way they reveal my fascination with nature, plants and the built environment within the landscape.”
Thirty Nine Degrees by Justin Scivetti from his exhibition, DISTANT SKIES.
Miner’s Cottage by Justin Scivetti from his exhibition, DISTANT SKIES.
Menindee Lake by Justin Scivetti from his exhibition, DISTANT SKIES.
“I often spend a bit time in the landscape making studies and unquestionably observing the light. Sometimes it arrives slowly, other times just a lick of colour is all that’s needed to describe it.”
Distant Skies by Justin Scivetti from his exhibition, DISTANT SKIES.
Cobalt by Justin Scivetti from his exhibition, DISTANT SKIES.