Kim Carpenter presents Wilde: Life And Fantasy
BY RENEE LOU DALLOW
Kim Carpenter is presenting an exhibition of his paintings based on the stories of one of the greatest and most prolific writers of all time, Oscar Wilde. Carpenter’s unique flair for design and storytelling not only reflect the life and times of Oscar Wilde but also Carpenter’s own life and times as one of our most sought after theatre designers.
As a designer, theatre practitioner and creator, Carpenter has collaborated with many of our most illustrious directors, choreographers and performers. In the 70s he studied design in London, then returned to Australia to study at NIDA before joining the Nimrod Theatre – eventually becoming artistic director. Later, Carpenter went on to establish the Theatre Of Image which was all about visual style and the art of telling a story without words.
As Carpenter explained the Theatre Of Image “combined different skills such as puppetry, dance and acrobatics… We were working too with the Australian orchestra on new compositions which made it all very exciting.”
One of the great choreographers Carpenter has collaborated with is Graeme Murphy, director of the Sydney Dance Company. Together they combined their vivid imaginations and creative genius to bring Oscar Wilde’s moving story, The Happy Prince to life for an Australian audience for the first time.
Upon reading Wilde’s biography Carpenter became determined to pay tribute to the writer who brought so much to the lives of so many. Wilde did this through his great understanding of the disparity between the rich and the poor in his quest for beauty. The three stories presented in Wilde: Life And Fantasy are; The Happy Prince, The Selfish Giant and The Young King – all of which speak to the eternal child in us all, as do Carpenter’s paintings.
When describing his passion for design Carpenter said ,“I don’t see things as they are. I see things a different way. Others may look at the city and see the skyline, I see wobbly buildings and colours and things hidden away in windows.” This view of the world is very apparent in Carpenter’s painting, Rascally Street, with it’s bright colours, lovers in doorways, strolling gentlemen, beggars, prostitutes and rent boys in the windows. This painting, in particular, is reflective of Wilde’s life. A darker chapter perhaps, but still one which speaks of beauty
“Every chapter of Wilde’s biography was titled with one of his stories so that is what I’ve used to signpost this unique view of his life and times,” explained Carpenter. “On each painting I’ve used a different palette according to the story.”
As Wilde once said, “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” That is precisely it. We are all painted with a different palette and should be celebrated.
Until Apr 16. Barry Stern Studio, 19 Glenmore Rd, Paddington.
