Victorian chef-cum-painter Gordon Richards’ latest artworks all depict movement in the still space. The artworks were developed after Richards’ partner had an unfortunate ice-skating accident, which gave life to the name of the exhibition, Slippery When Wet. “Last Christmas I was right behind my partner when she had an accident. She flew, quite gracefully, into the air, and landed very awkwardly on the ice.” This sparked the initial sketches of the artwork, which later became the paintings you’ll see currently on display.
Richards’ new show at Richard Martin Art in Woollahra demonstrates how prevailing movement can be in a still space. Universally the wheel or circle refers to a constant state of motion. He used the allusive human form to contrast with the bike frames and wheels.
Richards is an exuberant lover of simplicity. His life as a chef was hectic and unstoppable, but his now 20-year career as a painter has brought nothing but elation and personal freedom. The words ‘personal freedom’ follow Richards throughout his painting career as the transition between pieces and exhibitions are very translucent of his relaxed lifestyle. “Things in our everyday life always affect me. I don’t question what contributes to pieces. My work can be a bit nostalgic and this exhibition is no different.”
The women who appear in several of the artist’s past exhibitions, is again featured in Slippery When Wet. The women are usually a mix between his partner and daughter. “I don’t think about what or whom I am drawing at the time and then when I am done, I can see that person.” Richards once painted a whole series of women drinking around a table, which is a recurring theme in his works.
In the initial stages of his current body of work, it was tough for Richards. Despite the initial idea being formed, he painted over everything he originally drew. “Painting for me requires a lot of thinking and a lot of down-time where I am not physically creating anything. But there is a long process before I am completely happy with the finished piece. I usually draw everything and then I try and work fairly quickly to get it out and painted. The next painting is always better than the last. The next show is only as good as the final painting.” Richards see this as a wonderful way of self-evaluation. This mode of thinking reflects Richards’ past life as a chef – their craft is only as good as their last dish, right?
Richards talks about Slippery When Wet as though the paintings were always going to come to fruition; time spent painting, for Richards, is “addictive”.
“My partner painted so that’s how I started. It became addictive and I’d get an adrenaline rush … I found it very similar to cooking, which was wonderful.” Richards notes the similarities between food and painting: “both are dependent on colour and texture and you must have a good eye for both of these things.”
BY LOUISE JECKELLS
*Image: Gordon Richards, Rusty Old Bike, 2013 (detail). Image courtesy of artist and Richard Martin Art.
Slippery When Wet by Gordon Richards presents at Richard Martin Art from November 2-20.
