By Alesha Capone
Aireys Inlet artist and musician Kasper Raglus describes himself as a “surfer guy from the coast who likes minimalist art”.
Eight paintings by Raglus will be featured in one of three exhibitions at Newtown’s Boom Gallery and Big Boom from August 13 to September 6.
The exhibitions will also feature works by Christopher Jewitt, Cat Bailey, Michael McCafferty and Nina Rose Prendergast.
Raglus’ exhibition is titled Never Over.
Raglus said he enjoyed creating abstract art because it allowed him to express anything which comes into his mind.
He said one of his objectives in creating the paintings featured in Never Over was to reflect the emotions people have been feeling as the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe.
“The colours I chose sort-of reflect what’s going on at the moment, how I’m feeling, how people who talk to me are feeling and how people are feeling across the world,” he said.
However, Raglus said that abstract art was always open to interpretation.
“Some people look at it and see something else, which I really like,” he said.
He said that growing up with two creative parents, pursuing a career in the arts had been a natural progression for him.
“My father is a painter and my mother has done everything from being a clown doctor to staging puppet shows to show the importance of dumping rubbish on the coast,” he said.
“My earliest memories are of bothering dad in the studio.
“I’ve always just wanted to be in a studio making stuff.”
Raglus said from a young age, he knew he wanted to use tools for his art, doing practical work such as cutting, sanding and prepping.
He said his upcoming exhibition at the Boom Gallery was a home-coming of sorts.
The gallery gave him the opportunity to have his first art show, about 2013, when he was in his early twenties.
Since then, he has had about four other shows in different formats at the gallery.
“I have always had a soft spot for Boom,” he said.
“I think it’s really good because it gives artists, including lots of up-and-coming artists, a chance to show their work.
“It’s cool to have something like that up the road and I think Geelong needs more of that.”
The Boom Gallery is located at 11 Rutland Street, Newtown and Big Boom is at 5 Rutland Street, Newtown.
As a commercial gallery Boom can still operate under stage 3 restrictions, according to director Kate Jacoby.
Previously open seven days a week, Boom Gallery has reduced its opening hours to 9am to 4pm, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Art lovers can visit Never Over without an appointment but will need to book online to visit Big Boom.
Details: boomgallery.com.au, instagram.com/boomgallery.
