23-Jul-09 2:00 PM CST

Nine of Australia’s Finest Contemporary Artists Hit London for Two Weeks This September

Australia Now' is the debut UK exhibition curated by Jonny White, Director of COMODAA (Contemporary Modern Australian Art) showcasing nine of Australia's leading emerging and established contemporary artists currently working today.

On view between 16 to 28 September at 3Bedfordbury Gallery in central London, this groundbreaking exhibition features 32 artworks ranging from oil paintings to screen prints from artists Jane Fontane, Giles Alexander, Sam Leach, Stefan Dunlop, Kieran Antill and Jackson Slattery as well as three extraordinary contemporary Indigenous Australian artists: Mary Anne Nampijinpa Michaels, Jimmy Baker and Helen Tyalmuty McCarthy. The prices of the works are between £500 and £15,000 with an average price of £3,000.

After working locally with Australian artists for the past seven years, White is keen to broaden the European market's perception and understanding of what contemporary Australian art is. His hope is that COMODAA's regular UK exhibitions are able to open up new opportunities for hand-picked Australian artists, many of whom have already enjoyed considerable exhibiting and award success at home.

“For many years now Australian artists have been sporadically shown in the European market. Yet I am constantly amazed at how, other than Aboriginal artwork, very little Australian art is being shown overseas.

“Through supporting and promoting Australian art outside of Australia, I hope COMODAA is the missing link between European collectors and Australia's contemporary art talent,” explains White.

Launched in 2008, COMODAA was established to promote Australian art to a wider audience and give these talented artists new exposure. COMODAA aims to bring the best contemporary Australian art to the UK, without making any distinction between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal artists.

“My vision is that COMODAA can take the best Australian artists to new global audiences, as there is so much ripe talent ready to be appreciated,” said White.

The nine artists selected for ‘Australia Now' were chosen based on their credibility as collectable contemporary artists who White felt were ready and able to break into the competitive UK market.

For seven of the artists this is their inaugural London exhibiting opportunity. Audiences can expect to be impressed by the breadth and depth of artistic talent on view.

This includes Kieran Antill's white-hued abstract figurative paintings that incorporate techniques such as water erosion, heat exposure, acrylic peels and hand sanding. Prestigious Archibald Prize finalist Sam Leach's haunting animal images painted on dark resin backgrounds conjure up references to 17th century Dutch still life whereas the oil and resin paintings by Giles Alexander showcase the hyper-real paintings of old world religious architectural interiors from Europe and the USA.

Meanwhile, Stefan Dunlop's vivacious figurative paintings are characterised by a striking use of composition and colour as well as his latest interest in graffiti art. Jackson Slattery's magnificently modern watercolour portfolio of paintings – most less than an A4 size of paper – achieve pint-sized perfection, as seen in his painterly wash and meaningful strokes. Slattery's newest series of work focuses on Chicago Bulls basketball and cult celebrity Dennis Rodman, and toy with a narrative that depicts events that appear disjunctive and elusive.

One of the youngest artists being exhibited is the accomplished graphics of printmaker Jane Fontane, who explores ideas of youth and a desire to cling to ideals and icons of childhood as well as the individual’s perception of memory. Her striking art comments on the ongoing pressure applied to children and the consequences of this for society.

The three Aboriginal artists are all stand out talents whose paintings will likely strike a chord with UK collectors keen on Indigenous painting. Ninety-two year-old Jimmy Baker's acrylic on linen works centre upon the important Malaya Tjukurpa (Emu Dreaming), of which Baker is a custodian, as well as a number of other Dreamings. In Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty's painting, she delves into the Dakarrany, Syaw and Kanbi Stories of her people. Emerging contemporary Indigenous artist Mary Anne Nampijinpa Michaels' paintings focus upon her traditional country, telling the story of Lappi Lappi, a rock hole near Lake Hazlett, about 90km northwest of Lake Mackay in Western Australia.

'Australia Now' is the first of many COMODAA exhibitions White has planned for the UK in the next two years that so far includes three shows in 2010 and six in 2011.