Tony Lloyd's new exhibition presents a compelling series of monochromatic paintings inspired by his recent explorations in the European Alps, the South Island of New Zealand, and the granite formations of Cape Woolamai. Lloyd captures the essence of these remote and unpopulated landscapes evoking a profound sense of deep time and monumental grandeur.
Central to Lloyd's artistic process is his method of translating photographs into paintings. Having hiked through these awe inspiring regions, Lloyd returns to his studio to distil his experiences onto canvas. He describes this process as akin to translating poetry from one language to another, retaining the spirit of the original but becoming something quite different.
In his paintings, Lloyd captures rugged, glacial Alps and dramatic coastal cliffs with a keen eye for detail and formal structure. His centred compositions emphasise the singular monumentality of these ancient geological formations that have been shaped by natural forces over millions of years.
Lloyd's choice of monochrome serves to heighten the emotional impact of his paintings. His colour palette of blues and greys together with his adept handling of light and shadow conjure an immersive sense of luminosity, solidity and expansive space in these primal and timeless landscapes.
Since gaining his Masters degree at RMIT University Lloyd has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally. His paintings are in numerous public collections including the State Library of Victoria, Gippsland Art Gallery, RMIT Gallery and Artbank. Lloyd’s work has featured in publications such as ART + Climate = Change from Melbourne University Press and New Romantics, Darkness and light in Australian Art by Simon Gregg. His works were also featured in ABC TV’s The A-Z of Contemporary Art.
Lloyd has had several artist residencies including The British School at Rome, 24HR ART Beijing, and Canvas International Art in the Netherlands. Lloyd has received recognitions for his work, winning the John Leslie Art Prize, the Belle Arti Prize, the Sulman Highly Commended prize, the Gold Coast Art prize People's choice award, the Boy's Choice award at the Kings School Art Prize, the RMIT Post Graduate Award, the Necia Gilbert Memorial Award as well as Development Grants from the Australia Council for the Arts and Regional Arts Victoria.