Peta Miller

This exhibition is a collaboration of Peta’s paintings and Barry Sanbrook’s poetry. One painter and one poet.

Peta is particularly interested in the urban environment , especially the port of Fremantle where she lives. She loves exploring shape, tone and colour and her work is realistic but pushes the boundaries towards abstraction by simplifying compositions and shapes and intensifying colour. Many of the images are half seen .. glimpses.. as we drive to the beach or coffee shop. The bow of a ship, part of an approaching train, roofs and chimneys, the last light on the The Left Bank and the encroaching striped shadows on the railway bridge as the sun passes overhead. These images aren’t always absorbed by people in their everyday life but when they see them as a photograph or painting they are immediately endearing and familiar.

The port and surrounding area also has a history ..a changing story. There are stories behind the images. Barry explores this deeper side in his poetry. He enlarges the painted image to incorporate both his reactions to the work and thoughts of the historical context. The opening will include a reading of his poetry that accompanies some of the images on display.

Fremantle is on the verge of change. Icons such as the Old Bridge could soon be lost forever. The port itself could be relocated. This powerful exhibition is an opportunity to showcase its beauty and hidden story.