previous
Exhibition
Shimmer
31 May - 29 June 2024

This June, Artereal Gallery proudly unveils a captivating collection of paintings by Sydney-based emerging talent Kerrie Satava. Fresh from her graduation at the National Art School in late 2022, this exhibition showcases the evolution of an artist whose painting practice continues to grow from strength to strength.

Satava’s artistic prowess lies in her adeptness at delving into the depths of her subconscious and spilling it onto the canvas. She navigates the creative process through a blend of spontaneous mark-making, deliberate and careful consideration of negative space, and a knack for working with colour and light. Each stroke on her canvas acts like a single note in a larger lyrical composition and adds to the evolving narrative of her work.

In the artist’s own words: “I find there is an interesting conversation that occurs between the whisper-thin transparent paint and the raw, thickly woven canvas—something that is barely there and something that is very much there. Through translucent layers, you can see the creative journey of each piece and the decisions and movements that shaped it. Each painting tells the story of its own creation.”

Predicated on an interest in capturing the slippery and ephemeral nature of time, Satava embraces chance and surprise, transience and improvisation, all of which play a big part in the artist’s process.

Satava elaborates: “My work is about time and space. I am always seeking to convey the feeling of transience and imperfection we experience as things change over time and as we travel through time. My work captures the constant need to surrender control and embrace the unexpected. It is about the outer self, but more importantly it is about the inner self and making the invisible visible.”

With an ethereal touch, her muted hues delicately emerge onto the canvas, as if by enchantment, gradually shimmering into existence. Guided by assured yet nuanced brushwork, the interplay between what is painted and what is left untouched lends Satava’s creations an elusive quality, evoking a sensation of constant evolution suspended between transience and fruition.

“This current body of work is an exploration of time, colour, intuition, chance, and the unconscious. My aesthetic concerns focus on capturing a sense of in-betweenness and becoming through process and medium, responding to the idea of time. These works, like a line of music or a verse of poetry, capture a fleeting moment in time, yet hint at a larger narrative. Similar to the here and now, my paintings are small excerpts from a greater continuum.

I am interested in exploring the uncertainty that arises when I surrender control and let go of conscious thought. With this comes accidental and uncontrollable outcomes, creating opportunities and reactions that are unexpected and otherwise inaccessible.

For me it is important to embrace my working process, allowing what usually remains hidden and is traditionally not intended for presentation, to be seen. Inviting the viewer to re-enact the process gives the painting openness, energy, movement and space to breathe. Thus, creating a sense that the paintings are never finished and remain very much alive.”

Kerrie Satava, Artist Statement (2023)

Artist Biography

In 2022, Kerrie Satava graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art from the National Art School, Sydney.  During her time at NAS Kerrie majored in painting whilst developing a multidisciplinary practice.  Working with acrylic, collage and a variety of mixed media, her work explores time, colour, intuition, chance and the unconscious through process-based abstraction.

A seasoned international traveller and a true global citizen, Satava grew up between both Australia and the USA. Her practice is heavily inspired by the art, culture and landscapes of the many countries she has travelled to.

Kerrie Satava has previously exhibited with Artereal Gallery, and at the National Art School in both their main gallery space and the Rayner Hoff Project Space. Kerrie is currently working towards a major new body of paintings to be unveiled in 2024-25.

All prices are in Australian dollars and inclusive of GST. Freight costs not included. Prices are correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice.

Please contact the gallery for assistance with sales, framing and freight enquiries.

Kerrie Satava

Midday Sun

2023
Acrylic, pencil, wax and pigment on canvas
140 x 120 x 3.5cm
$2,000
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Kerrie Satava

Shimmer

2023
Acrylic, pencil, wax and pigment on canvas
140 x 120 x 3.5cm
$2,000
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Kerrie Satava

West on Wayward

2023
Acrylic and pencil on canvas
90 x 80 x 3.5cm
$1,200
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Kerrie Satava

Wandering

2024
Acrylic, pencil, wax and pigment on canvas
90 x 80 x 3.5cm
$1,200
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Kerrie Satava

First Day

2023
Acrylic, pencil, wax and pigment on canvas
90 x 80 x 3.5cm
$1,200
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Kerrie Satava

Conversations with Me

2023
Acrylic and pencil on canvas
90 x 80 x 3.5cm
$1,200
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Kerrie Satava

Softly Singing

2024
Acrylic, pencil, wax and pigment on canvas
90 x 80 x 3.5cm
$1,200
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Kerrie Satava

Tiptoe

2023
Acrylic, pencil, wax and pigment on canvas
66 x 56 x 3.5cm
$1,100
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Kerrie Satava

Summer Seeds

2024
Acrylic, pencil, wax and pigment on canvas
45 x 40 x 3.5cm
$850
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Additional Information

Upcoming Exhibition

main gallery
Nicole Welch
18 October - 16 November 2024

Previous Exhibition

main gallery
Noula Diamantopoulos
5 September - 8 September 2024