Two Painters and a Poet

An Ekphrastic exhibition

Two painters and a poet came together in an exhibition at Bungendore Fine Art (April 2010).  Known as an ekphrastic event, two art forms cross over.  In this case, well known published poet ROSS DONLON had written a piece about each of the paintings, adding a further dimension to the work of Ray's and fellow oil painter TERRY DAVYS.  Buyers of paintings from this exhibition also received the poet’s unique interpretation of their chosen artwork.

The theme of the exhibition was ‘Thresholds’- subjects that are an interface between here and something beyond – doorways, entrances, pathways and steps to ... somewhere.   The two artists had treated this theme in its widest sense.  The poet adds another interpretation, at times witty or poignant, always insightful.

Ray and Terry are well known brushmen of Canberra while Ross Donlon is a Victorian resident – an award winner for his published work who is in demand as writer-in-residence and performance poet.

Scroll down to see some paintings from the exhibition with the accompanying poem by ROSS DONLON.  The paintings have been framed with the poem being part of the mat surround.

Dreams of  Wrecked Cars                                                      watercolour 240 x 350 AU$600

In this race

the cars take off

in any direction.

Tyres are not mandatory

(even the chocked get a start)

but windscreens still glare at others

when they surge down the straight

Rain adds an element of interest

but the distance and course being existential

a result depends on arbitrary factors;

the presence of moonlight,

a gust of wind.

Their doors have flown open

to remember wings.

The Green Door                               watercolour 250 x 340 AU$600

Contrary from what you hear

nowadays

the evidence is clear

from the door, brown nuns

and strolling men

that when Columbus sailed the ocean blue

folks were bigger then.

Talking in Dublin                                               watercolour 350 x 240 AU$500

It had been raining for moonths

blinding the windows

In some cities 

that would suffocate talk

The Dragon at the Library                                                 watercolour 350 x 240 AU$550

Autumn afternoon

in the library forecourt.

Tired of learning,

students orbit around a saint