2012 NoArk

In her new body of work, Norton asks the question: -

“How do we remain enchanted? Thanks to technology, constant transformation, dissection, and transparency of everything from our DNA to our private conversations, we are hurtling into a homogenised new world with no braking mechanism. The vivisector is alive and thriving. Amidst all this, how can we retain a sense of mystery about life, and how important is it that we do?

Logical knowledge and scientific method is more than ever the global king, and as a result so many great things evolve to improve our lives. Nevertheless, I ask the question, what would happen to our apparently rational and scientific fiery striving if we actually got to the pot at the end of the rainbow? What is the fuel that actually drives this awesome ride? Is this ‘drive’ something to do with retaining a sense of humility about being in the world; and is the container for humility, a sense of ‘mystery’? The answer to such a question is possibly not logical, but has been dealt with in many of our historical creative tomes, from the Bhagavad Gita to the Koran, to many well worn fairy tales, where all ‘parts’ of a mans mind are given a place on the mad gypsy wagon of his life.

I know people may shake their head at why I have been mucking about in the ruins of these dusty old tomes, such as Dante’s Divine Comedy, ancient mythology, or Gilgamesh for the last few years, but it really is in relation to contemplating a very contemporary problem that I do. That problem I see, is our disconnect with humility amidst nature, leading to a loss of a sense of awe and awareness of our place in the natural world. I am not a mad Greenie, I am just intensely aware of the misery the disconnect causes.

By drawing inspiration from aspects of the sometimes bizarre human tales of our ancient past, I am seeking lynch pins in the archaeological story making of the past, which are still constant themes in modern man's mind. What is it, which keeps him inspired and enchanted, when his safe haven of logical progress and development runs aground and becomes his prison; when he can’t solve the enormity of nature or worse still when nature stares back at him as a faceless, unpredictable, and chaotic monster – unsolvable, irreconcilable to his meddling and reasoning. Where can he hide, where can his distress rest, if not in an enchanted place, where mystery is allowed to exist. However in order to nurture that place, he has to first acknowledge its importance. He will never find the magical flight of the bumblebee on a pin board.

Noah’s one eyed clarity on ‘what to do’ as disaster approached intrigues me, and offers a suitable metaphor, in comparison to and alongside modern reactions to ‘pending doom’. He had to do something, but he did not forget to take the animals. From containing a jungle inside a hanging and torn tarpaulin suspended in a desert; piling cartoon animals and imagined hybrids inside a genetically modified animalistic car, to Noah riding a tram down a Melbourne street – it all starts to make perfect sense when we use art to hold mystery.”

Exhibition opened by Trevor Victor Harvey - Owner and Director of TVH Gallery Sydney.

MEDIA RELEASE

HELEN NORTON ART EXHIBITION AND FUND RAISER FOR AUTISM WA

Well known WA Artist, Helen Norton and the Autism Association of Western Australia team up to raise funds for AAWA’s new community house in Churchill Ave

West Australian artist, Helen Norton, Norton Gallery, and the Autism Association of WA are holding an art auction to raise funds to help kit out and furnish AAWA’s Community Options Clubhouse in Churchill Ave.

Artwork to the value of $26,000 has been donated by Helen Norton as well as other art items. 100% of the money raised in the auction as well as 10% of all other gallery sales during the ticket event will go towards fitting out the clubhouse with computers and furniture, making it a great place to be for those with autism.

The auction will be held at the Norton Gallery on 28th April, and is a ticket only event. *See below for details on how to get a ticket. Tickets are limited for the auction event. However, Helen Norton’s exciting new exhibition

‘No-Ark - How Do We Stay Enchanted?” is open to the general public from the 27th April 2012. Entry is free. The exhibition runs till May 26th.

At Norton Gallery 346 South Terrace, South Fremantle WA