Kane Lehanneur
Cammeraygal-based artist, Kane Lehanneur’s recent works are a surrendering exploration of the emotional battle of the ephemeral body and its infinite parallel energy.
Words: Holly Terry | Photography: Lisa Sorgini & Jake McCann
‘I always found if I had a number of different mediums I practise in, I can jump between them quite freely which I feel enables me to keep productive and fresh,’ says Kane Lehanneur. Photo: Lisa Sorgini
‘My last show Rattlin’ Bones is by far the proudest I’ve been of my work to date – it’s had the deepest and most raw conceptual meaning behind the body of work.’ Photo: Lisa Sorgini
Kane Lehanneur was recently hosted by Yeah, Nice Gallery, in Byron Bay, for a month-long residency. Photo: Lisa Sorgini
‘Painting was always lingering in the background, when I started sharing it to the public it gradually overtook and also got integrated into those other mediums too.’ Photo: Jake McCann
‘I draw a lot of inspiration from my every day. I love to be out in nature and feel I draw a lot of inspiration from the outdoors and colour you find,’ says Kane Lehanneur. Photo: Lisa Sorgini
Lovingly reflecting on the recent loss of his brother, Baxter, to a battle with cancer earlier this year, Kane Lehanneur’s recent work was made by surrendering to the process of creation.
Through bold colour blocking and subtle marks, Kane’s use of colour fields share vital expression with the audience and explore the emotional battle of the ephemeral body and its infinite, parallel energy.
Recently, the artist was hosted by Yeah, Nice Gallery for a month-long residency in the Byron Bay industrial estate, which saw him utilise the gallery as a studio for four weeks in the lead up to an incredibly powerful solo exhibition.
Moving beyond his characteristically ethereal Flower Bed series, Lehanneur’s works of late have explored the loss of authority and a surrendering to events that are beyond his control.
For these conceptually raw works, Kane incorporated the use of raw pigment and water directly onto canvas and created distinct wash and markings by moving the canvas in different angles and motions.
For Kane, a deliberate choice to not use brushes for this body allowed letting go of control and the merging of paint parallel recent life for the artist, ‘I found this loss of authority in my practice a gratifying and humbling experience that also mirrored recent states of being; where life paved out courses and events that I simply could not change,’ he shares.
‘I found this loss of authority in my practice a gratifying and humbling experience that also mirrored recent states of being; where life paved out courses and events that I simply could not change.’ Photo: Lisa Sorgini
“To create something in loving memory of my brother has been something truly special for me, he was an amazing artist as well and continuously inspired me throughout my life.”
‘To be able to create this body of work not only to reflect what had just happened, but to be able to continue communicating with Baxter through my work will be something I hold onto forever.’ Photo: Jake McCann
Kane Lehanneur was recently hosted by Yeah, Nice Gallery, in Byron Bay, for a month-long residency.Photo: Lisa Sorgini
Having learnt to draw alongside his brother during his younger years, art has forever been an element of Kane’s life.
More recently, the creative’s practices have floated between photography, moving image, painting and printmaking, delicately complementing one another within his making. With an impending urge to create daily, ‘Painting was always lingering in the background, when I started sharing it to the public it gradually overtook and also got integrated into those other mediums too.’
What is most profound about the emerging artists work is this innate ability to communicate electric energy, drawing expressive inspiration from his observations within the every-day, often charged with his considered perception of life.
Kane’s works carry energies that parallel his love of nature and being outdoors through the use of colour as a narrative or visual language. ‘Colour is a huge motif in my work, I love to experiment through monochromatic colour fields, using them to evoke certain feelings and emotions when viewing the work.’
It will be a big few years for Kane who seems to be moving from strength to strength. Fresh off the completion of his recent residency with Yeah, Nice Gallery, he is currently exhibiting in a group exhibition at HAKE House.
