PARADISO | A Beautiful Dream
Welcome to PARADISO, a beautiful dream.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson
Juntos, el sol (Together, the sun), Acrylic on canvas by Daniel Barreto.
When Saint Cloche curator and owner Kitty Clark was thinking of the gallery’s final exhibition, she reflected back on 2019. It was a big year for the Sydney-based art lover, welcoming her third child and saying goodbye to her 30’s. However, Kitty realised how many of her dreams had come to life. The gallery joined in the epic art fair: Sydney Contemporary, and had its fifth birthday, a colossal achievement for an independent gallery.
The curator translated her dreams to PARADISO, inviting 14 artists to collaborate on positivity, potential, growth, as she says, “where there’s will, there’s a way.” Australian artists Bridgette McNab, Claire Johnson, Dan Withey, Elise Cameron-Smith, Emma Bartik, Gemma Avery, Ileigh Hellier, Lauren Eaton, Luca Lettieri, Matilda Kubany-Deane, Sean Wadey, Somchai Charoen, are, for the first time, joined by international artists, Yusuke Abe from Japan and Mexican artist Daniel Barreto.
Apollo in Harmony, Paper collage on archival watercolour paper by Claire Johnson.
That Smile, Acrylic on board by Dan Withey.
“We encouraged our artists to delve into the surreal world of one’s own dreamscapes and bring life to their dreams. ”
Momentary Memory, Ceramic porcelain, coloured ceramic pigment and clear glaze by Emma Bartik.
Kitty had seen Daniel Barreto’s artworks and “knew instantly he had to be part of the equation.” Yusuke Abe had been exhibiting with Loko Gallery, Tokyo at Sydney Contemporary and Kitty found herself drawn to his work with PARADISO in the back of her mind. A mix of ceramics, sculptures, paintings and prints join the exhibition, where the gallery encouraged their artists to delve into the surreal world of dreamscapes, to be inspired by their own memories, and as Lennon mused: to imagine a better world.
Paradiso IV, Glazed Earthenware by Matilda Kubany-Deane.
One of Three Graces, Acrylic, vinyl flashe and silk screen ink on cotton by Gemma Avery.
“When I had a moment to reflect, I realised my dreams had actualised unconsciously... a surreal indicator of the power of dreams in manifesting our real lives.”
Toyen, Dorothea, Leonara, Meret, Dora and Frida, White Beech, Black Japan by Elise Cameron-Smith.
On a usual year, PARADISO would invite those dreamy end of year feelings, the soft kiss of sunshine, or water lapping at your feet. But summer arrived in Australia this year with fire and destruction at an unprecedented level. The climate crisis is upon us, and individuals have realised they need to be the ones taking the steps to raise awareness and hope. Kitty realised she had to engage these thematic responses within her little gallery.
And so, PARADISO welcomes Clare Press, sustainability speaker and Vogue’s Editor-at-Large, to open the show. “We need to be better guardians of the planet and the other species we share it with,” Kitty shares. “The PARADISO message is about working together for the future we want to see our children and nature thrive in.”
“Saint Cloche is all about growing community, and it was only a matter of time before our reach grew beyond the borders of Australia – we are part of a global community after all.”
Paradiso IX, Glazed Earthenware by Matilda Kubany-Deane.
I Rest With You, Paper collage on archival watercolour paper by Claire Johnson.