Art for the Theatre – A Survey Exhibition

It is highly uncommon to see theatre designs exhibited and appreciated by the audience. Normally they are kept hidden away to be appreciated by the self. Kim Carpenter is one of Australia’s most talented and accomplished theatre designers with 25 years experience under his belt and he is exposing his works to the open eye.

Primarily focusing on props, sets, costumes, story boards and various ideas for production, Carpenter’s exhibition, Art for the Theatre, will showcase eleven different productions he has designed.

“This exhibition represents my body of work,” Carpenter explains, “and very few theatre designers have the opportunity to display their works. It is a sensational feeling to have my work up in a gallery and for young aspiring students and theatre enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the work.”

The works will be displayed at the Depot II Gallery in Waterloo. Carpenter will also host an artist talk on the 18th of April whereby he will discuss what it’s like to be a theatre designer in Australia and his achievements through his individual work.

Coinciding with the exhibition, the Sydney Opera House is currently showing one of Carpenter’s favourite works, Monkey… Journey to the West. Carpenter is the founder and artist director for Sydney’s Theatre of Image and this production was created and designed by him.”This piece of work stands out from all the others as it is not only large in size but it emits  an aura of of fun and presents episodes of the journey of the monkey,” Carpenter said.

Edmond Capon will open the exhibition, Art for the Theatre, on April 14th as he believes, “there is a wonderful kind of youthful fresh spontaneity about Kim’s work. It hasn’t been run through the terrible mill of endless analysis, and too much rigour, which tends to drain the life out of things. Instead it is fresh and fruity – and honest.”

Carpenter is grateful for his works and takes them in high esteem, “Edmond Capon is a well respected arts scholar and I appreciate his kind words. I wanted this exhibition to be viewed as art and from a visual artist pespective and not just theatre designs.”

 
14 – 25 April, ARTIST TALK Saturday 18 April, 2-3pm with Q&A to follow. DEPOT ll GALLERY, 2 Danks Street, Waterloo, Free/Bookings (02) 9518 8458 www.theatreofimage.com.au