Lightworx Gallery Presents: Max Patte And The Spheres Of Infinity

BY RENEE LOU DALLOW

Max Patte, an internationally renowned artist, has now set up a showing of his unique artworks in Darlinghurst. This new exhibition comes after having had his works hanging alongside other artists in the Lightworx Galleries in Auckland and Queenstown, New Zealand.

Famous for his lifesized sculptures, Solace Of The Wind of which there are seven – including one somewhere in outback Australia, Patte is interested in expressing the intricacies of light and space. The sway back figure named Solace Of The Wind embraces the light whilst being pulled into space by his solar plexus. Whilst this work has sold out to collectors all over the globe, Patte has many more works of equal merit.

In the Darlinghurst Lightworx Gallery Patte will be going solo by exhibiting his cluster series entitled, Infinity. A series of led-lit spheres which hang on the wall and  can be remotely controlled to alter the mood of a room. Explaining the process, Patte said, “Made with a combination of stainless steel, plexiglass and resin, each one is welded together with a valve on top. The valve inflates with water pressure and is then routed into a sphere, polished and painted in different hues.” When asked how he manages to recreate natural light in his studio, Patte said, “I spend a long time staring at the sky, working out how to reproduce it with electronic and digital technologies.”

Along with his spheres of light wall hangings Patte will also be exhibiting figure sculptures. Brightly coloured life sized male figures, all modelled on himself. With names like Division, Revision and Subdivision, these cubist style sculptures are sure to resonate with the cool Darlinghurst crowd.

Life, colour and tone all have an effect on mood and emotions.

“One of my favourite pieces is called Fade Into You which has over 100 coulours. It’s a very romantic piece which changes colours all day long, with midnight being a deep red, signifying the moon,” Patte explained.

Patte’s spheres of light and space are like looking at the natural world through a kaliedoscope.  Other titles like Deep Orbit, Let Forever Be and Wulu Mist, give an insight into Patte’s deep connection to the theme of light and space which is always changing yet always with us. Indeed an expression of Infinity.

Max Patté’s debut Sydney exhibition is now open at the Lightworx + Max Patté pop-up gallery.

Until Jul 29. Lightworkx, 89 Crown Street, Darlinghurst.