It’s time to drop in to the MANet Art Gallery to see a particularly interesting exhibition of the work of three women. Two new MANet members are currently on show at Maldon’s bijou gallery, together with guest printmaker Leah Mow-Yoffee. Leah said that this exhibition is a retrospective of her work.

The gallery showcases diverse artistic talents, providing a vibrant space for local artists and the community to connect and celebrate creativity.

Meanwhile, the two new artists who have joined the MANet Art Gallery group are Liadaan and Karen Holland. Most of you will be familiar with Liadaan’s work, which is in both two and three dimensions. A particularly delightful work in the exhibition is an oil on linen painting titled Jemma Resting. You can clearly see the influence of her favourite Pre-Raphaelite artists in the use of tone and light to create depth. Pre-Raphaelite art was a movement in the mid-19th century that championed a return to what was considered the ‘innocence’ of art before Raphael, emphasising naturalism, detailed realism, and a revival of medieval and Renaissance themes. Liadaan’s main medium is oil. However, she also enjoys pastels, gouache and drawing media. Her plein air work is a regular activity. The act of creation is the most important thing to Liadaan. “Life is art and art is life!”

While Karen Holland has taken part in numerous art shows and group exhibitions over many years and has won prizes for porcelain art, water colour and oil painting. A highlight has been to be selected as a finalist in the Len Fox 2022 Award (Castlemaine Art Museum). She mentioned that one of her influences was the work of Chris Canning.

Karen said, “I have been working primarily in oils for over 20 years, and I see myself as a realist artist using abstract elements in the background of my work.” Imagery in her work is often inspired by the natural world, sometimes as it appears juxtaposed with man-made structures. As you can see in her Still Life Succulents, an oil painting, which has an element of abstraction, though clearly recognisable as the subject matter. She added that, “I am a participant in the upcoming Fringe Festival. My studio will be open Saturday 29, Sunday 30 March and Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April.”

Leah Mow-Yoffee says that printmaking is her preferred medium, working with lino cuts, collagraphs, etchings, wood cuts and screen prints. Stencils, nature prints, and wrinkle prints enliven her works. Hand painting in ink, gold, silver and copper add an extra dimension to her works. Her nature print titled Red Capped Robin among falling Maple Leaves shows her keen interest in botanical art and the environment. There is a whole wall of Leah’s prints on show.

Don’t miss this exhibition, it is on until 31 March.

The MANet Art Gallery at 27 Main Street Maldon is open from Friday – Saturday, from 11am – 3pm. For further information: 0419 119 047. 

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 14 March 2025.