SEVENMARKS Gallery’s annual group exhibition, titled Unbalanced, will open on 7 December, showcasing work from nine distinguished artists. 

The exhibition, which runs through 1 February 2025, explores the theme of Unbalanced, described by the gallery as:

“A feeling of unease, a visual hurdle, a tipping point. Contributing to many monumental events and great artworks, it is a physical and visual element that holds potency. Challenging comfort and known order, we ask the featured artists to explore the parameters of balance and convey understanding through their chosen materials.”

The nine featured artists include: Cesar Cueva, Chick Butcher, Cinnamon Lee, Cobi Cockburn, Gabrielle Adamik, Mat Heaney, Mikey Freedom, Phil Spelman, and Scott Chaseling. The Bugle spoke with three of the artists ahead of the exhibition’s opening.

Cinnamon Lee

Cinnamon Lee's work. Source: Cinnamon Lee.

Sydney-based artist Cinnamon Lee is known for her finely crafted contemporary jewellery and lighting. For Unbalanced, Lee has created a series of works she refers to as “drawings in metal.”

“They’re two panels made from industrially perforated aluminium—the same material used for security doors,” Lee says. 

“I’ve used stainless steel ball bearings to create pixelated images. One panel features a 3D cube, and the other a sphere. They are suspended in space, appearing as though they’re disintegrating, caught in a state of compromise.”

When SEVENMARKS introduced the theme, Lee began to reflect on imbalance in the broader world and within herself, contemplating how the two might be connected.

“The two forms represent my feeling of being in between—trying to find balance in a world that feels increasingly unbalanced. I think the forms are symbolic of nature and intellect,” she says.

Gabrielle Adamik

Glass is the medium of choice for Gabrielle Adamik, whose fascination with the material stems from its unique ability to capture and preserve moments in time. 

The way the glass flows downward and dips, makes Adamik’s work in the SEVENMARKS gallery resemble a waterfall. Almost as if, if you were to touch the glass, it would be a liquid. Adamik has literally frozen a moment of unbalance and put it on display.

“Glass has this amazing ability to exist between liquid and solid states, and that gives me the chance to freeze a fleeting moment,” Adamik says. 

“I start with recycled glass, including smashed work, and fuse it into a solid form. Then, I slump the piece in the kiln, allowing it to droop and overbalance. I freeze that moment of falling, capturing the essence of unbalance.”

The work of Gabrielle Adamik. Source: Gabielle Adamik.

Mat Heaney

Mat Heaney, an artist from Narooma, draws inspiration from three different artists for his contribution to Unbalanced. The first is the 16th-century painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, specifically his painting Children’s Games, which depicts children playing various games in the street.

“From that, I created two paintings, Children’s Games (Day) and Children’s Games (Night),” Heaney says. “One is light, the other dark, and both focus on the feet and shoes of the characters—my work often features floating or falling feet or shoes.”

Mat Heaney's work. Source: Mat Heaney.

Heaney’s work also incorporates influences from Phillip Guston, known for his cartoonish style, and George Baselitz, a German painter who often portrays shoes in his work.

“The paintings look much better in person than in photographs. The texture and movement in the paint really come to life up close,” Heaney notes, encouraging visitors to experience the works at SEVENMARKS Gallery in person.

A Regional Treasure

All three artists praised SEVENMARKS Gallery for its contribution to the regional arts scene. Each expressed excitement about supporting the gallery and the opportunity to showcase their work to the public.

The Unbalanced exhibition is free to the public and will run from 7 December to 1 February 2025. The opening event, on 7 December from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., will offer an opportunity to meet the artists and learn more about the creative processes behind their works. Those interested in attending can register via Eventbrite.