An Altona artist has drawn inspiration from the western suburbs’ urban landscape, painting everything from petrochemical tanks to garage doors.
Jeff Ferris, who grew up in Williamstown, said he felt lucky to have been born and raised in the west. He finds a wealth of material in the “empty wastelands” of suburbs like Laverton, Point Cook and Tullamarine, and even finds beauty in pollution in the sky.
If he had to choose a favourite landmark, it would be Newport power station.
“When you grew up in Williamstown, and Newport, the powerhouse was always prominent on wash days,” Ferris said.
“You’d have to tell your mum when all the smoke came billowing out of the thing.’’
Ferris said many of his works focused on the everyday – things like letterboxes, garage doors, neat gardens and rubbish bins.
“I’ve always got most of my images around the western suburbs and the image of the garage door has been a recurring theme. It’s just a typical western suburbs-type image.
“There’s a lot of nice stark images, too, in that industrial environment. I always look for the shadows, the play of light on objects.”
Images in his latest exhibition include Wilson Street, Yarraville and a cricket match at Williamstown’s Grey Reserve.
Ferris is exhibiting at Bridget McDonnell Gallery in Carlton until this Saturday. For more details, visit www.bridgetmcdonnellgallery.com.au.
