Geoff Coleman Interview: Suburban Homes, Suburban Lives

By Last Updated: September 27, 2022Views: 606

With a contact of caprice and humour, Melbourne artist Geoff Coleman explores the realities of on a regular basis life for atypical Australians. His detailed eye produces intricate works that pair individuals with the houses they inhabit, taking part in with perspective for example how identification and place are intertwined. Through the years, Geoff has added quite a few exhibitions to his crown and constructed up a physique of labor that’s as a lot a testomony to Australia’s suburbs as his personal technical talent.

Since he was a younger youngster, Geoff Coleman was captivated by the varied expressions of artwork. He usually sought refuge from household purchasing journeys within the museum, the place he would spend hours “watching, wanting and seeing artwork in it’s some ways”. Signal-writers specifically caught his eye throughout this time, with their exact brushstrokes and crisp strains. It was a pure development to strive his personal hand at artistic pursuits, beginning with portraits of his relations.

Artist Geoff Coleman's home, studio and gallery

Getting into into Geoff’s suburban house is like strolling right into a gallery.

Upon reaching maturity, Geoff has continued his creative passions. Working as an artwork trainer for a few years, and transitioning into publishing for some time, Geoff has spent the final decade making artwork full-time. His Melbourne studio is ready inside his brilliant, open-plan dwelling. The area is a testomony to all his passions, together with an intensive wine assortment, above which hangs a gallery-style number of his work. This can be a dwelling that celebrates a life full of enjoyment and achievement.

Artist Geoff Coleman tours his home studio and gallery.

Wine and artwork type the proper concord in Geoff Coleman’s dwelling

Very similar to the artists that encourage him, Geoff’s artwork goals to impress thought. His whimsical depictions of suburban life play with surreal angles and parts to intrigue the viewer and elicit a second of connection between topics and their settings. Influenced by the work of painter John Brack and sculptor Robert Klippel, Geoff is drawn to items “that put collectively some intelligence behind the artwork piece itself… [these artists] all the time intrigued me, as a result of there’s a actual thoughtfulness to their artwork. Lloyd Rees was additionally an amazing proponent of that considering course of that goes behind the good drafting works he did”.

Shop Geoff Coleman art on Bluethumb

Stylistically, the affect of famed Adelaide artist Jeffrey Good is apparent. Geoff explains that this comparability “isn’t shocking as I’ve lengthy loved his work”. Each artists make use of a highly-detailed model that focuses on symmetry, line and composition. The similarity doesn’t cease there – each artists favour an analogous color palette that precisely captures how areas seem in on a regular basis life.

No. 20 Runaway Bay by Geoff Coleman. Art for sale on Bluethumb.

No. 20 Runaway Bay by Geoff Coleman

Geoff’s work explores the realities of life in suburban settings, and the way individuals relate to their houses. “After I was youthful I needed to be an architect. It wasn’t a dream that lasted lengthy, however I can see why I now are inclined to do a lot of works of buildings. I like the way in which that issues are structured and constructed. The opposite curiosity is how individuals lives their lives.” Put them collectively, and you may see the place Geoff’s suburban work have advanced from.

Typically these works are commissioned by households, nevertheless when this isn’t the case, Geoff is drawn to traditional structure, notably buildings with fascinating strains and angles. The crossover between individuals and their houses is the place his work discover their intrigue – how do these individuals and these homes relate to one another?

Artist Geoff Coleman in his studio.

Geoff has all the time targeted on creating detail-oriented works, however seeks to discover a looser method to his works sooner or later.

Nonetheless, Geoff’s material is altering. Latest works that he has accomplished are nonetheless life work that focus in on smaller yard and on a regular basis scenes in a surreal method. Figures have grow to be incomplete elements, and faces are uncommon in newer work. Geoff’s model and method to portray has additionally altered: “I’ve really grow to be extra gestural in the way in which that I paint.” Whereas earlier works have been intricate all through the complete piece, parts are actually left unfastened and easy. Geoff’s appreciation of sunshine and shadow stays unchanged.

Acrylic paints on Geoff Coleman's desk.

“I draw a good bit with charcoal on paper, however after I’m portray it’s acrylic paints. I take advantage of a thinner wash at instances, and the paint just isn’t utilized very thickly.”

Predominantly working in acrylic paint, Geoff has experimented in a variety of mediums. Hidden within the nooks and crannies of his studio are charcoal drawings and pencil sketches. Nonetheless, it’s the color high quality of acrylic paint that he usually comes again to, particularly when portray on a linen floor. “A great high quality linen has a great tooth for the paint to seize onto” he says, explaining his desire for linen over canvas.

Art Almanacs stacked in Geoff Coleman's studio

Geoff avidly follows the happenings of the artwork world.

“Though there generally is a nice want to color, which I’ve on a regular basis,” explains Geoff, “it’s usually troublesome to begin.” It requires lots of self-discipline to take a seat down and truly do the work he’s dreaming up. “Typically I’ll pour some paint out or combine up a color in order that I’m dedicated,” he says with a chuckle, “in any other case I’ll stroll off and get a espresso!”

When the night time falls, issues get a bit simpler for Geoff. He explains, “I’ve all the time been an evening owl. All the things appears to work higher when the solar goes down.”

Geoff Coleman's art studio.

Geoff is passionate in regards to the artistic course of. He explains, “I believe it’s only a love of the particular work that you are able to do in composing a bit. It’s a beautiful feeling to have the ability to put one thing collectively from nothing.”

Every portray takes many hours and preliminary sketches to finish. “I’m manic about making research.” says Geoff. It’s no shock that he requires a lot storage in his studio for this goal – his drawers are teeming with research and older works on paper. On his cabinets he additionally retains a small assortment of artwork books, magazines and music to encourage him.

Sooner or later, Geoff hopes to proceed loosening up his model of portray. “I’d prefer to not be so pedantic in regards to the work I do, and never be so involved with element.” Parting together with his perfectionist facet and willpower to get each minute characteristic actual isn’t straightforward. For somebody who enormously admires intricate works and has lengthy practised this model, it’s proving troublesome. Being detail-oriented is a part of who Geoff is – “it appears to be the way in which I’m made.”

“It’s a dilemma I face. The place I attempt to marry element and a passionate gestural method it usually doesn’t fairly work. However I believe it may be performed.”

Geoff Coleman's art studio

An image of Frida Kahlo peeks out from behind his brushes.

Browse Geoff Coleman’s work right here.


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