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Walking through Surry Hills on Saturday I was struck by familiar artwork in the window of Mils Gallery. It was Leah Fraser's latest solo show 'I am the cosmos', I recognized her work from a previous exhibition which was also my favorite show at Black and Blue gallery.
Mixing portraiture, Hindu gods, and magic her art transforms private stories into allegory. It's admirable that a personal thing like portraiture can be transformed into something that a wide audience can relate to. This approach bodes well for the artist.
According to the artist, many of the works were inspired by her travel in India and in particular her silent personal mantras to the blue curly mustached god Krishna. It was the first time that I realized how much Old Gregg looks like a Hindu deity. Is the Mighty Boosh upsetting for Hindus? or do they just take inspiration from the Mighty Gita? Does Liah know? Does she have a crush on Noel Fielding? Do they both have a Krush on Krishna? Am I being sacrilegious? Is Krishna going to rip off my head and replace it with the first animal he sees... rat or pigeon. I'll hide at the zoo so I can become an inverse Manticore and chill with Ganesha like a bro.
The allegorical approach to portraiture and the referencing of different sacred traditions is reminiscent of the work of Del Kathryn Barton, but the passion and freedom of brush work is entirely her own. I have no doubt her pending travel in France and Argentina bring inspiration for new works, can't wait to see them. Highly recommended.
