The work Tabletop 2 was a finalist in the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery's signature program, Still: National Still Life Award. In 2017, this award was expanded from having a focus solely on still life painting to include artworks in all mediums. Fran Callen’s work, although a painting, signals a highly imaginative interpretation of the still life genre that incorporates varied, “non-art” materials and a strongly personalised approach. As such the work contributes to a new focus on contemporary still life for the gallery's collection. The still life genre is the specialist focus of the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery’s collection, with still life artworks identified as the first priority in the gallery’s collection policy, Section 2.4.2 (1): “Works in this section reflect the still life genre, as per artworks acquired through the National Still Life Award (Still) as well as through donation, purchase, transfer and bequest.”

With a strong foundation in drawing, Fran Callen’s practice spans fine arts, teaching and community arts. She has been a finalist in a number of national art awards and the recipient of several scholarships and exchanges that have moved her work into an international arena. Tabletop 2 is part of a series exploring parenthood, domesticity and the struggle to find balance between the roles of mother and artist. As she describes it, unstretched canvas is draped over the kitchen table, which becomes the easel: “Drawings become records of domestic rituals. Objects are sketched as they appear during routines of family life … Wine, coffee, tea, juice, salt and spices, all become mark-making mediums. Perspective warps as I move around the canvas and shadows change with time. Drawings evolve to become a layering of moments.” Children participate in the process, making the artworks intriguing collaborations. These works mark the passing of time and place value on the domestic and everyday experience – key themes of the still life genre. As an interpretation of still life with distinctly feminist resonances, Tabletop 2 brings a new perspective to the genre and is a valuable addition to the gallery’s collection.

[Written by Jo Besley, 29 March 2019]

Still-life painting of items on a table top. Mixed media: graphite, gesso, wine, coffee, tea, spices (turmeric, cinnamon), colour pencil, acrylic and oils on canvas.