Crispin Akerman

Crispin Akerman was born in Dorset, England in 1960 and arrived in Perth in 1966, and in 2007 moved to Katoomba, NSW.

He attended Julien Ashton, Sydney in 1988, and the Canberra Insitute of Arts 1989-92. Akerman was a founding member of the popular music group The Eurogliders whose fame and fortune lasted for about eight years through the 1980's. He later became a student at the Canberra School of Art, working as a technical assistant to painters Mandy Martin and Robert Boynes.

"These works continue my interest in the ideas of time passing and finding beauty in quiet moments. Whether by virtue of their familiarity, shape or form, most of the objects in the paintings hold meaning beyond themselves. The fish plate with one fish instead of the traditional pair symbolises perfection or wholeness. The Chinese ginger jar holds a family's history as well as its future in it. Groups of objects congregate and rally, and jugs, dishes and cloth suggest ritual or ceremony.

There is a sense of movement implied in the stillness, which is aided by a shift towards a more painterly approach - with the paint and surfaces imparting atmosphere and an emotional quality to the work. The ideas of ritual and constant change are consistent with overall themes in the work - the elevation of the private to the sacred, and an appreciation of the cycles of things - the way nature abides."
Crispin Akerman, March 20098

Akerman is an artist who likes to paint about what is real and moving.

"On first sighting, the formal composition and calm austerity of Crispin Akerman's still life paintings belie a subtle feeling of anxiety. Though the arrangement is considered and carefully balanced, his vessels have been described as actors on a stage, about to walk off and out of the picture frame. Influenced by a variety of artists in and out of the traditional still life genre, Akerman uses subtle techniques to portray this imbalance with simple forms and objects. The cinematic qualities of American landscape artist Edward Hopper, the hyper-realism of Claudio Bravo and the tranquility of French Rococo artist, Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin influence his work and create delightful tension.

In Akerman's images the familiar ceramic vases and domestic ware become a metaphor for human presence as you imagine the objects being handled and used.

Their stark realism is almost palpable, encouraging you to reach out and touch the cold hard surface of the clay or the softness of the fabrics.

The result of Akerman's compositions are timeless and classic, but with enough edginess and tension to encourage greater contemplation and consideration."
Narelle Symes, Shepparton Art Gallery

SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2008
Greenhill Galleries, Perth
Michael Reid, Murrurundi
2007
Greenhill Galleries, Perth
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Beaver Galleries, Canberra
2006
Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
Greenhill Galleries, Perth
Michael Carr Art Dealer, Sydney
2005
Beaver Galleries, Canberra
Michael Carr Art Dealer, Sydney
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
2004
Gallery 460, Sydney
Beaver Galleries, Canberra
Greenhill Galleries, Perth
2003
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Greenhill Galleries, Perth
Hill-Smith Fine Art, Adelaide
Beaver Galleries, Canberra
2002
Gallery 460, Sydney
Gunyulgup Galleries, Margaret River
Beaver Galleries, Canberra
2001
Beaver Galleries, Canberra
Gunyulgup Galleries, Margaret River
2000
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Gallery 460, Sydney
Gunyulgup Galleries, Margaret River
1999
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Beaver Galleries, Canberra
Libby Edwards Galleries, Melbourne
1998
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Gallery 460, Sydney
Libby Edwards Galleries, Melbourne
1996
Beaver Galleries, Canberra
1995
Collette Dinnigans Studio, Sydney
1994
Beaver Galleries, Canberra
1993
Gods Café, ANU, Canberra

GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2008
Christmas Exhibition, Greenhill Galleries, Perth
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery
"Small Works" Exhibition, Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
"Squared", Greenhill Galleries, Perth
Greenhill Galleries Opening Exhibition, Greenhill Galleries, Perth
2007
"Small Works" Exhibition, Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
"Squared" , Greenhill Galleries, Perth
2006
Gallery 460, Sydney
Greenhill Galleries, Perth
Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
2005
10th Anniversary Exhibition, Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
"Squared", Greenhill Galleries, Perth
2004
"Fresh Paint", Greenhill Galleries, Perth
Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne
Perth International Art Fair, Perth
2003
Perth International Art Fair, Perth
2002
Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne
2001-02
The Hungry Mans Exhibition. Toured NSW Regional Galleries
2001
Nicola Townsend, Tokyo, Japan
2000
7th Contemporary Art Show, Melbourne
Nicola Townsend, Tokyo, Japan
1998
6th Contemporary Art Show, Melbourne
1997
Musicians and Musical Instruments, Gallery 460, Sydney
1996
Beaver Galleries, Canberra
1994
Every Day, Spiral Arm, Canberra
Picture Writing, Jardine Street Gallery, Canberra

COLLECTIONS:
Maitland Art Award; ACT Cultural Council Grant; St John of God Hospital Murdoch; BHP Billiton;
New Parliament House, Canberra; Australian National University Services & Facilities Department, Canberra;
Artbank
private collections throughout Australia and overseas

AWARDS:
Maitland Art Award
ACT Cultural Council Grant