Peter Biram
Peter Biram is an oil painter from Gembrook in Victoria who considers himself to be an environmental Expressionist, he is a contemporary artist who paints landscapes and portraits with equal gusto. Peter says he has been making art all his life and hopes to do so in his next life as well. Peter’s website showcases his works, blog, depth of media exposure, and exhibitions.
You are passionate about art, what about other areas of your life?
I have two passions in my life, Art & Art Education. Over the past fifteen years I have worked in Visual Art education, I have been placed into the frustrating position of having to continuously justify the value of the arts and arts education. At present there is a move in the United States recognising the value of the ‘creative industries’ and the value that in turn, contributes to the economy. I can only hope that rubs off here. Of course I am also passionate about my family, very supportive friends and the many students I have the pleasure of working with, some of whom have become personal friends and emerging contemporary artists as well.
What do you want to tell us about your background?
Born in 1959 studied Visual Arts at G.I.A.E. (now Monash University) where he graduated in 1981 with a Diploma in Visual Arts. In the years since I have continued study, which now includes a Graduate Diploma in Education, a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Visual Arts (Painting). In the 1980’s I worked as a photo-journalist which lead to the position of News Camerman with Channel 10 in Melbourne. In 1989 I began my teaching career as Photography teacher at Monash Universtiy (part time). In 1994 I moved to Gipps TAFE in the Latrobe Valley where I am currently teaching a range of Art subjects in the Art, Design and Mulitmedia Department.
Since becoming an art teacher I have had several exhibitions featuring a body of work exploring the ‘sublime in landscape’. Within this context the work also explores how humankind interacts with the natural environment, paying special attention to the ‘order and chaos’ that exists within the natural world. At the moment I enjoy the combination of both working as an artist and teaching.
How about your art?
I draw my inspiration from the Australian bush and express this love in the bright fresh application of colour. I prefer to paint with my hands and fingers, to feel the tactile quality of the painting process. I am also also a portrait painter, and a regular entrant in the Archibald Prize, I am currently working on a body of work exploring the theme of ‘land ownership’ and ‘usage’ within an environmental framework. This relationship includes traditional and non-traditional interaction with the land. Within this theme I am exploring the fine balance that exists in the natural environment.
My work reads on several layers-
Mark making
On this level the viewer processes the work on a surface level, that is to say the paint texture and colour of the work. The work at this level can be read in decorative terms.
Subject
At this level the viewer reads the work as a landscape, within this framework the observer can interpret the geometric forms as pure decoration.
Conceptual Narrative
This current body of work exploring the theme of ‘land ownership’ and ‘usage’ within an environmental framework. This relationship includes traditional and non-traditional interaction with the land.
For example, within this theme of land ownership I am exploring the pressure that is placed on the land in an environmental sense both in a western/ European standpoint (the ‘Triangle’) and the koorie perspective, (the dots).
Within this theme I am exploring the fine balance that exists in the natural environment. This is to say “Order & Chaos” found within nature and the balance of power shifting between the two states. The composition is deliberately broken into two sections symbolizing the two states of chaos & order, the fine balance of nature is placed under pressure re land “caretakership”. Within this framework I have explored both contemporary ownership symbolized by the triangle in the bottom half of the composition. (from a European standpoint) The ‘hard edged’ nature of the triangle also represents past civilizations (the pyramids of Egypt) this presents a symbol of ‘land ownership’ in the sense of ‘branding’ the land.
I choose the triangle/pyramid shape because of its direct contrast to the soft organic nature of the bush motif. This also symbolizes human kind’s influence on the natural landscape. The two triangles “together” also read as a symbol for a ‘blackhole’ within the context of a universe the top triangle is a symbol for Steve Hawking’s theory on the ‘Dual Universe’. I use this as a metaphor for “Order & Chaos” and how one juxtaposes one against another, that is to say, as human beings our nature is to explore, from a ‘micro’ level, our backyard, to a ‘macro’ level our universe.
With ‘exploration, comes responsibilities re, the balance of the natural environment vs exploitation.
In this particular painting, “He who explores” I am expressing the impact human kind imposes on the land, this work is an extension from a previous work “The Human Landscape”. In this work I explore the impact that humankind expresses on a “VISUAL” Level, for example, the visual impact that thousands & thousands of kilometres of roads that crisscross this nation. Also the road and the vapour trail in the sky is used as a direct symbol of EXPLORATION Of our land, or in other words the taming of the “wilderness”, this vapour trail is also a symbol of ‘modernity’ and how our attention turns to the sky for the next evolution of – He who explores.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a portrait of’ bud’ Tingwell for the 2009 Archibald prize.
I previously been accepted in the 2005, 2006,2007 Salon Des Refuses, am hoping that next year ‘Bud” will do it for me.
The Archibald is about controversy and I love it, because we can criticise it.
That’s what I love about being Australian, we like having a go at the establishment and while I worship the Archibald - and would worship it even more if I won it - it should be able to stand up to criticism. An artist’s job is to act as a commentator on what’s happening. I think most artists feel the same way as I do (about the Archibald Prize) but if they feel they’re being gagged then they’re not doing their job.
Why are you an artist?
Because I don’t have a choice
What is your earliest memory of art?
Grabbing a can-opener and gouging an image into my parent’s bed head
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Comments
10 Responses to “Peter Biram”
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Peter, what a terrific interview. Your work is so bold and powerful. I just love your mark making and find it fascinating that you paint with your fingers. I also love the ‘Order and Chaos’ that comes through your work and the balance of the organic and the hard edge shapes that represent mankind. Your work creates more questions… is man-kind? We can observe cause and effect on your canvas and then ponder on how we see ourselves within your landscapes. Thankyou. Kerrie Warren
Thank you Kerrie for your supportive kind words
In this ego centered world re, me, me me, it is wonderful to receive such support by a fellow artist. There should be more support within the artist community. Who knows we may go back to the good old days when artists form movements to change the world for the better.
peter
Wow very vibrant colours, and strong imagery, the big cross through the middle. I think I saw one of your portraits at the crown exhibition in Melbourne of that guy that’s on the footy show, Roland Rochokelli, a few years back. Your style stands out and using your fingers, a nice touch. Hey are you in a gallery or anything?
Peter your interview was very interesting and informative. The thought processes behind your conceptual work, is profound. Your mark making is luscious and striking and original! Your love and concerns about the environment are evident within your powerful work and it is wonderful to see such aesthetically beautiful work so thought provoking. The Archibald Prize must be within sight!
Cheers
Ursula
Thanks Eamon & Ursula for your kind comments & support.
Eamon, to answer your question re, am I being represented currently by a gallery the answer is no.
oops typo, the answer is no.
[...] read the whole interview with Peter click here… November 24, 2008 | Filed Under [...]
[...] can read more of peters interview here… November 24, 2008 | Filed Under [...]
[...] of our contributors, Artist and interviewee Peter Biram has again managed to get some PR exposure for his entry into this years Archibald [...]
[...] Australian Actor Bud Tingwell passed away in May 2009, many of you will know Peter Biram painted his portrait for the Archibald Prize this year and wrote about it exclusively right here. [...]