An Altona artist, who paints scenes from local Altona neighbourhoods, is appropriately having his work exhibited at an Altona gallery.
Ronaldo San Andres’ exhbibition ’Altona: Shadow & Light’ opened at the Louis Joel Gallery on February 22 and if the location is appropriate, the title is even more so.
‘Altona: Shadow & Light’ is a series of paintings capturing the beauty, mood and drama of a particular scene in Altona through, yes, shadow and light.
In the artist’s experience, shadows and lights are more powerful at getting attention than the intricate detail of a scene.
San Andres is especially fascinated by the colours and values created by shadows when light hits one side of a building or a tree.
Speaking at a special meet the artist event at the Louis Joel Gallery on Sunday, March 2, San Andres said it was discovering the work of impressionist artists such as Claude Monet and August Renoir, that turned him onto the technique.
“They (impressionists) have very interesting shadow and light and that’s why it became my theme in my work,” he said.
“I always look for interesting shadows and light. I think even a very mundane or ordinary subject matter like a flower portrait, if the light is good, the picture will be good.”
To judge for yourself, visit San Andres’ exhibition at the Louis Joel Gallery where it is on display until Wednesday, March 12.
Details: https://www.ljac.com.au/
Cade Lucas.
