All images copyright Sue Kalab
CONVERSING WITH NATURE
Sue calls her work a “soft realism”. She creates what the art writer and critique, Julie Prott, describes as being “cultivated rusticity”, a compliment to Sue's popular technique and style, adding, "Life in the twenty-first century can include moments of Arcadian rusticity. Sue Kalab shows how pleasant it is to converse with nature and encounter unexpected moments that bring clarity and stillness to our daily life. To achieve this in her art, she avoids long-standing nineteenth century attitudes to nature and focuses on the beauty within natural forms. The images are like traditional icons used to assist the passage between external reality and the inner world of the spirit. A sea urchin is a meditation. A seashell with all its weathered imperfections invites contemplation. Sue's ability to describe the natural world is based on many years living away from the metropolis. This vitalized her artistic practice."
Thankyou for those moments of peace and happy awe-filled contemplation of your works sue. Gratitude for your gift to the world. Anon 2024
Gillian Peebles, Judge Royal Academy of Arts, London: To own a Sue Kalab creation is to have a treasured possession for life. Sue has some 25 solo exhibitions to her credit. She enjoyed continued success in 2021 at Bunbury's Stirling Street Arts Centre and in 2018 when exhibiting with the relatively new Collie Art Gallery.
Inspiring. What a brilliant way of recognizing nature. what dedication> F Llewellyn, Northcliffe
Yes, Sue I, too, love your subtle use of the brush or whatever tool you use. Your work reflects a touch that seems to have an Other-world quality. With good wishes John Coleman, Joondanna 2024
James Davies, Curator and Arts Writer: "Sue's paintings are more than just pretty pictures of Nature, they hold a powerful message for preservation."
Judith McGrath, Arts Writer: “Kalab not only talks to nature, she listens and learns . . . take time to engage with these powerful works of gentle beauty.”
Emeritus Dean Stewart MacPherson places Sue's art in the company of Henry David Thoreau and the showings (or revelations) of Julian of Norwich, and that Sue's art "captures the essence of the glory of nature . . . Its mystery and meaning, beauty and truth". He further writes in his essay 'Seeing is Believing', "We live in a time when too often mystery is dismissed and truth in limited to facts. To see, to truly see, the infinite in the ordinary is a great gift. Artists like Sue bless us by sharing that gift with us". 2015
" . . . I spent a delightful hour or so discussing painting and life in the studio of Bunbury artist Sue Kalab. Sue's delicate and gestural watercolours capture the contradictions inherent in the environment. The medium itself, with its elements of control and release, discipline and change, is a metaphor for both the fragility and unpredictability of nature, whilst the work captures the fleeting moment but also endurance and timelessness. Each work gives us a glimpse into Sue's passion for the natural world, her commitment to the environment, and our need to pay attention to what is quiet, small and still in this world." Dr Joanne Baitz, Director Bunbury Regional Art Galleries 2020
NURTURING EMPATHY FOR ECOLOGY CONVERSING WITH NATURE
Sue Kalab's treatment of watercolour is both fluid and meticulous. Her attention to detail is precise and refined, yet soft edges and white space provide contrasts that enhance the call to treat softly. With nature as her muse a simple message of respect for the environment permeates Sue's life and work. Based in Bunbury since 1995, Sue has grown strong affiliations with many like-minded souls and conservation groups in the South West. Consequently her beautifully presented exhibition provided a handsome and serene backdrop to a series of talks that were planned to coincide with a succession of "world days" celebrating the environment, biodiversity, migratory birds and similar ecological causes through May and June. Topics ranged with birdsong and black cockatoos, to marine science, wetlands and plastics. These weekly events were well-attended suggesting a picture can also be a pathway to learning that deepens our appreciation of the natural world and our role as its stewards. An excellent short film made by Shannon Verhagen accompanied Sue's five week show. Judging by visitor numbers and comments, Nature Wise and Wonderful and its complementary program of events illustrate there is a genuine place for work of this nature because it appeals whilst it enlightens and educates. Dr. Diana McGirr, art historian, curator and freelance writer 2016
OTHER RESPONSES
CONVERSING WITH NATURE
Sue calls her work a “soft realism”. She creates what the art writer and critique, Julie Prott, describes as being “cultivated rusticity”, a compliment to Sue's popular technique and style, adding, "Life in the twenty-first century can include moments of Arcadian rusticity. Sue Kalab shows how pleasant it is to converse with nature and encounter unexpected moments that bring clarity and stillness to our daily life. To achieve this in her art, she avoids long-standing nineteenth century attitudes to nature and focuses on the beauty within natural forms. The images are like traditional icons used to assist the passage between external reality and the inner world of the spirit. A sea urchin is a meditation. A seashell with all its weathered imperfections invites contemplation. Sue's ability to describe the natural world is based on many years living away from the metropolis. This vitalized her artistic practice."
Thankyou for those moments of peace and happy awe-filled contemplation of your works sue. Gratitude for your gift to the world. Anon 2024
Gillian Peebles, Judge Royal Academy of Arts, London: To own a Sue Kalab creation is to have a treasured possession for life. Sue has some 25 solo exhibitions to her credit. She enjoyed continued success in 2021 at Bunbury's Stirling Street Arts Centre and in 2018 when exhibiting with the relatively new Collie Art Gallery.
Inspiring. What a brilliant way of recognizing nature. what dedication> F Llewellyn, Northcliffe
Yes, Sue I, too, love your subtle use of the brush or whatever tool you use. Your work reflects a touch that seems to have an Other-world quality. With good wishes John Coleman, Joondanna 2024
James Davies, Curator and Arts Writer: "Sue's paintings are more than just pretty pictures of Nature, they hold a powerful message for preservation."
Judith McGrath, Arts Writer: “Kalab not only talks to nature, she listens and learns . . . take time to engage with these powerful works of gentle beauty.”
Emeritus Dean Stewart MacPherson places Sue's art in the company of Henry David Thoreau and the showings (or revelations) of Julian of Norwich, and that Sue's art "captures the essence of the glory of nature . . . Its mystery and meaning, beauty and truth". He further writes in his essay 'Seeing is Believing', "We live in a time when too often mystery is dismissed and truth in limited to facts. To see, to truly see, the infinite in the ordinary is a great gift. Artists like Sue bless us by sharing that gift with us". 2015
" . . . I spent a delightful hour or so discussing painting and life in the studio of Bunbury artist Sue Kalab. Sue's delicate and gestural watercolours capture the contradictions inherent in the environment. The medium itself, with its elements of control and release, discipline and change, is a metaphor for both the fragility and unpredictability of nature, whilst the work captures the fleeting moment but also endurance and timelessness. Each work gives us a glimpse into Sue's passion for the natural world, her commitment to the environment, and our need to pay attention to what is quiet, small and still in this world." Dr Joanne Baitz, Director Bunbury Regional Art Galleries 2020
NURTURING EMPATHY FOR ECOLOGY CONVERSING WITH NATURE
Sue Kalab's treatment of watercolour is both fluid and meticulous. Her attention to detail is precise and refined, yet soft edges and white space provide contrasts that enhance the call to treat softly. With nature as her muse a simple message of respect for the environment permeates Sue's life and work. Based in Bunbury since 1995, Sue has grown strong affiliations with many like-minded souls and conservation groups in the South West. Consequently her beautifully presented exhibition provided a handsome and serene backdrop to a series of talks that were planned to coincide with a succession of "world days" celebrating the environment, biodiversity, migratory birds and similar ecological causes through May and June. Topics ranged with birdsong and black cockatoos, to marine science, wetlands and plastics. These weekly events were well-attended suggesting a picture can also be a pathway to learning that deepens our appreciation of the natural world and our role as its stewards. An excellent short film made by Shannon Verhagen accompanied Sue's five week show. Judging by visitor numbers and comments, Nature Wise and Wonderful and its complementary program of events illustrate there is a genuine place for work of this nature because it appeals whilst it enlightens and educates. Dr. Diana McGirr, art historian, curator and freelance writer 2016
OTHER RESPONSES
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The use of shadow and light ... dolphins and sea urchins, the perfect architecture of abalone shells ... puts my soul on a wonder. I love your work and am glad to see others find the serendipity and delight as well.
Tom Linker, Hawaii Defining her local landscape is the challenge at the heart of Sue Kalab’s practice. Her ability to describe the natural world is drawn from more than twenty years living away from the metropolis. Her art resonates with her ongoing conversation with, and passion about, nature. Thelma John, Director, Fremantle Arts Centre 2003 Calming, capturing and connecting. Lesley Egan, Bunbury We are enchanted by the harmony and peace. Thank you for reminding us to look and listen. Margaret and Bill Farquharson, Busselton What a gorgeous, special, sensitive, expressive collection of your work. Thank you. Julia Boyle, Bridgetown Sue, your work will shine regardless of the invitations and this and that, people will, as always, love your work, you are a gifted mujer with an eye for beauty in the real sense of the word. The things you appreciate are not always appreciated by everyone, you have the gift of taking people by their hand and pointing out what is really beautiful around them. Go for it mi amiga! Rosa Madigan. Ferguson Farmstay 2013 |
MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
I've always loved Sue Kalab’s art because it reminds me to step lightly on the earth, and treat nature with reverence. Her paintings illustrate the deep interconnection between people and nature. The sub-title: “music for the eyes” reminds us of the importance of art as dialogue of aesthetic and spiritual connection between people and place. The notion of dialogue with nature is the basis of ecological literacy, which I suggest our culture is in desperate need of. Her art reminds us that this earth is the source of our being, our wholesomeness and, as a result, our wisdom. Sue’s art shows us how to love nature. Dr Sandra Wooltorton. Notre Dame University 2008 Your art is a blessing. Katherine, Bunbury 2022 I like the serenity of the subjects – a peacefulness so needed in this sometimes frenzied world of go-go-go! And I loved your description of your painting as "soft realism". I think that fits perfectly. M. Gosfield, Santa Barbara California 2010 Sue’s art is music for the eyes . . . Songs of the Bush & Beach, Naomi Hatherley Mullalyup Gallery 2006 Sincere . . . Lakes, Boats & Pelicans, Kingfisher Gallery 2005 I think of your beautiful art often. Your art becomes more valuable as the things you paint become destroyed! Jan Wright, Melbourne 2018 |
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