Friday June 15th - Monday July 9th, 2001 Mountain Landscape Oil on canvas, 45 x 61cms Landscape Illusion V Oil on canvas, 51 x 40cms SUSAN WEAVER's rich and strangely compelling semi-abstract landscapes are not anchored to specific locations. Instead, the images are conjured from the artist's memories and her experience of place: "I am interested in the metaphysics of painting" says Weaver, "the feeling or atmosphere of a place and not what it looks like exactly." This collection of oils on paper and canvas and oil pastels on paper is resplendent with the glorious colour effects for which Weaver is becoming best known. Desert Town Oil on canvas, 41 x 51cms Fire Lake Oil on canvas, 92 x 102cms   Artists Statement The works in this exhibition are inspired from particular places which focus on capturing the atmosphere or essence of a landscape. It maybe the sparseness of the Australian landscape or the sense of enclosure of a cave, the presence of a storm moving through the mountains. The Landscape Illusion works are a recurring theme and are non-specific in geographical location. Fire is a source of light and symbolizes life and warmth. Memories of places or particular regions serves as a foundation for my work. (works below are from the 2000 exhibition)   A red square outline will float on red brown; a line, as hills will undulate on red; and, suddenly through the soft grey smoke, a city or suburb will appear, made of ashes as it were, tender and suitably titled Landscape Illusion I. Elwyn Lynn The Weekend Australian, 1994     "The feeling of atmosphere of a landscape is still paramount in my work - rather than interpreting and exact likeness."     COMMENDATIONS 1989 Winner of Mattara Indoor Art Prize - Works on Paper Section 1993 Winner of Regional Art Award - Drawing Section. Highly Commended - Painting Section. Royal Agricultural Society, Newcastle 1995 Joint Winner - Morisset Art Prize 1997 Winner - Valentine BHP Art Prize Highly Commended - BHP Art Prize 2000 Winner - People's Choice Award, Royal Agricultural Society   REPRESENTED In corporate and private collections around the country.     "I have extended the idea of finding landscapes within larger landscapes into my Landscape Illusion series. By defining the edges more clearly the viewer is confronted instantaneously within the separation, while still allowing the subtelties to happen elsewhere in the painting"     STUDIES 1981  Sydney College of the Arts 1988  Bachelor of Arts, Visual Arts, Newcastle College of Advanced Education 1990  Diploma in Education (Art), University of Newcastle     SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 1988  Final Year Exhibition, Newcastle College of Advanced Education 1989 Lake Macquarie Council 1990  1991 1992 Newcastle Contemporary Gallery 1993 Newcastle Regional Gallery 1994 Holdsworth Galleries, Sydney Strong Futures Exhibition, Cooks Hill Galleries, Newcastle 1995 Gallery Artist's Xmas Show, Holdsworth Galleries, Sydney 1996  1998 Cooks Hill Galleries, Newcastle   1999 Michael Commerford Gallery, Sydney Lake Macquarie City Council Michael Commerford Gallery, Clean Up Australia Exhibition 2000 Cooks Hill Galleries, Newcastle If you are interested in purchasing any of the above artwork by Susan Weaver or organising a commissioned work, please phone the gallery on (02) 4926 3899, email us at mahmw@hunterlink.net.au or complete our Art Interest Form.