ArtChat recently had the chance to talk to Adelaide based Artist and Musician Trevor McNamara, who is currently on exhibition at Red Hill Gallery alongside Conchita Carambano and Michael Jenkins in ‘Open Expression’, Trevor’s abstract contemporary paintings bring a breath of fresh air to the Gallery.
Trevor McNamara is a self-taught abstract/contemporary artist whose unique works hang in many private and corporate collections around Australia and overseas including Qantas, Federal Court Building and Melbourne Medical School.
While Trevor explored his interest in visual art forms when he was younger music was his main focus. A highly qualified musician, he has enjoyed a music career as a performer, composer and producer with his work featuring on many recordings, film, opera and a wide range of commercials.
Over the past 14 years Trevor has concentrated more and more on developing his painting techniques and fine tuning his now “trademark” style. He approaches his work with a disciplined plan, but also enjoys the challenge of experimentation. His work is designed to engage and entertain the viewer with continuous discoveries, achieved through the artist’s clever use of colour and texture.
AC: How would you describe your contemporary trademark style?
TM: Entertainment for the eyes and senses. I like to design my work to engage and entertain the viewer with continuous discoveries achieved through the use of colour and texture.
AC: What book are you currently reading?
TM: I only read reference books. I never have time to read novels.
AC: What is the inspiration for your artistic style?
TM: I am inspired by many things. I am inspired by art in general, the energy of artists and galleries, and an inner desire to create. I guess my artistic style comes from a combination of all of this and depending on how I feel at the time, is how my work takes shape.
“I like my work to have a presence and a purpose. A painting should be as exciting to own as it is to create”. “It is a wonderful compliment when people choose your work to hang on their wall”. “A painting should have life and flexibility. Every time you look at it, there should be a new discovery, and changes that relate to a different image or mood. A painting must be as exciting to own as it is to create.” I have set out to create work that is entertainment for the eyes and where your imagination can take the trip. The textures I have used will also allow the images to change at different light times throughout the day”.
AC: What is your process on developing the textual quality in your work?
TM: I use a lot of different things depending on what type of result I am after. I have my own little secret methods which I prefer to keep to myself.
AC: Do you develop your compositions organically? Or do you plan those as well?
TM: I always plan everything, but the plan always takes on new ideas and processes along the way.
AC: How do you achieve some of the painterly effects? And what process do you undergo to find complementing textures?
TM: Without sounding too precious, I like to keep that to myself.
Make sure you get the chance to see Trevor’s amazing paintings whilst on exhibition at Red Hill Gallery, 61 Musgrave Road, Red Hill, Brisbane until 20 September 2015.
