Ric Abel Triffids

Triffid (noun) — A tall, carnivorous species of plant capable of locomotion with a venomous sting.

Triffids used to be content with simply killing their prey; now they are taking over their bodies and putting on a strange kind of 70's fashion parade with the intent of saving the world.

Starting out with a loose drawing, Abel hits the paper with a frenzy of loose gestural marks that fizz with energy. Muted earth tones are mixed up with hits of saturated colour and pops of fluoro spray paint. Spatters and drips pop against a flat matt background before thick heavy airbrushed lines complete the work.

Abel has been completing works on handcrafted watercolour paper for the last two years. He realised what he could achieve with the paper in terms of aesthetics, when he discovered a set of techniques that sat comfortably with him and enabled him to gain mastery of the surface.

These works are created in the studio from start to finish. After completion of the artwork, the artist then frames his own work; selecting an ornate, traditional style frame that brilliantly juxtaposes with the contemporary aesthetic of this body of work.

The nature of these works lends itself to limited edition prints, and as in WTF Cubist Still Life, the artist has chosen to release an edition of prints for this series too. These highly collectible and very limited giclee prints are printed on high quality archival art paper using pigmented inks, and will be professionally printed in an edition of 5. This gives the opportunity for collectors to choose between a print and the original artwork.

EXHIBITION DATES:
Saturday 25 November – Sunday 3 December 2023
Spud Lane Annexe: Shop 6/91 Hoddle St, Robertson NSW 2577
(Exhibition continues in our laneway gallery at the rear of Highlands Hive)
Friday to Sunday, 10am–4pm

Register your interest

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
A finalist in the Blake Art Prize and the Archibald’s Salon des Refusés, Ric Abel travels through landscapes, skulls and quasi-cubist subjects. His art is introspective and exploratory, humorous and dark.

Register your interest

Previous exhibitions by Ric Abel at Spud Lane Studios: WTF Cubist Still Life | Colins & The Cats