Artist Corner: Raymond Cheney “Precipice”
The Killing Field
Some exhibitions are simply about art. Others are about something much bigger.
For artist Raymond Cheney, Precipice is not just a body of work, but a quiet warning. Years in the making, the exhibition reflects a growing awareness that we are living at a critical moment in time - a point where the relationship between humans and the natural world is becoming increasingly fragile. Through his meticulous hyper-realistic paintings, Raymond invites viewers to slow down, look closely and confront what we often choose not to see.
We spoke with Raymond about art, the environment and why sometimes the role of an artist is simply to make people stop and think.
Exhibition at Studio 8 Currumbin: PRECIPICE By Raymond Cheney
Your exhibition Precipice explores the environmental impact humans are having on the planet. What sparked this theme and why did it feel important to explore now?
This exhibition has been more than 3 years in the making. The theme Precipice emerged from a growing awareness that we are living at a point of no return. I was drawn to explore this in my work as a way of confronting this reality. This body of work reflects a sense of standing at the edge. If we don’t address this imbalance now our planets future generations will suffer from our indifference.
Your work is hyper-realist and incredibly detailed. What draws you to hyper-realism as a medium for telling these kinds of environmental and philosophical stories?
For many people climate change can feel abstract or easy to ignore. By presenting these works in precise detail it becomes harder to dismiss. Realism lets the work operate as evidence. These paintings appear familiar and stable, but they are describing natural systems that are falling apart.
Secondly, my son Julian, a filmmaker at Byron Bay Films, has greatly influenced my work. His ability to tell stories through beautifully curated film, capturing emotion so effortlessly, continues to inspire the way I see and create.
This body of work reflects a sense of standing at the edge. If we don’t address this imbalance now our planets future generations will suffer from our indifference.
Once
Your paintings are incredibly detailed and realistic, yet they feel more than just representations of objects. What are you trying to communicate beyond what we first see on the surface?
Through these hyperrealist paintings I wanted to move the viewer past passive looking. They are more than just images to look at, but something that is extremely important to consider and confront.
You’ve been painting for decades and have exhibited widely. How has your work and perspective as an artist changed over time?
Yes, I have had many exhibitions in the past. My work especially over the last few years has become more focused. For the last 20 years I have worked as a part time environmental manager for a large protected species habitat.
This natural environment is a constant source of inspiration for my artistic expression and is the foundation for this current body of work.
When people walk through Precipice, what do you hope they leave thinking or feeling?
I hope that they leave with a heightened sense of awareness and perhaps a little unsettled. Precipice isn’t about resolution. It is about recognising a point of urgency.
If the work makes the consequences of climate change feel immediate and personal, that’s good.
A Still Forest Pool
RAYMOND CHENEY: PRECIPICE film
In this mini-documentary, artist Raymond Cheney invites us into the meticulous world of his latest series, Precipice. Through stunningly detailed canvases, Raymond reflects on the fragile state of our natural world, challenging the audience to confront the human footprint we leave behind.
By Julian Reuben, Byron Bay Films
Raymond Cheney, born 1954.
Raymond’s work explores the notion of identity, place and how we connect with one another. Through his hyper real painting approach he invites the audience to question and to take the time to appreciate the mystery of the manifested world. On many occasions we tend to miss the obvious, the beauty and the magnificence around us.
Raymond’s visual language endeavours to guide and transport the viewer to another space.
Although these paintings are based on photographs the idea is to reach beyond the two dimensional surface of the photograph. These detailed and meticulous paintings create the allusion of a new reality. The underlying narrative in his work incorporates spiritual emotional and cultural connections.
Raymond Cheney has completed portraits of the Premier of QLD Anna Bligh, Artist Michael Zavros, Mick Doohan five times World Motorcycle Grand Prix winner and Businessman and owner of SAE Colleges worldwide, Tom Misner which was an entrant in the 2010 Archibald Prize.
RECENT SELECTED AWARDS
2017 Clayton Utz Art Award
Finalist, "Once" oil on oak wood panels.
2008 The Darcy Doyle National Landscape Award
1st Prize ‘Predestination’, Oil on Canvas
2008 The Paul Roach Award, Royal Queensland Arts Society
1st Prize ‘Sunday Afternoon’, Oil on Canvas
2008 The Marymount College Art Prize
1st Prize ‘Metallic Resonance’, Oil on Canvas
2006-7 The Border Art Prize, The Tweed River Art Gallery
People’s Choice Award and Highly Commended Award
(‘I am – Self Portrait’ Oil on Canvas)
Artwork held in public and private collections in Australia, England, Germany and India.