Too busy feeling honoured to notice

When I photographed the preparations being made to pull together this superb exhibition of works by Peter Zanetti, I should have noticed things like shadows and interference during the shoot, but I was so overwhelmed by the scale of what I was seeing, that my concentration lapsed long enough to do an injustice to these breath-taking works.

My only excuse for poor photography is that I was so jolly busy feeling honoured, to even notice such things as poor camera angle, and flares. Therefore you have even more reason to drop in at The Edge Art Space – Brooklyn ( uh...Sydney) to view the offerings of Peter Zanetti in person.

Frankly, despite my humble photographic skills, the detail, depth of field, proportions, and tones of Peter Zanetti’s black & white collection, are clearly unparalleled. Even I cannot spoil that for you.

In recording on canvas, that which seemed previously invisible to the rest of us, Peter Zanetti helps us all grasp the awe and beauty of his world....our world.

Currently concentrating on the wilderness of Kuringai National Park on the northern outskirts of Sydney, Peter manages to make the hills, rocky outcrops, and flora talk to us with one voice. The tiny caves formed over veritable lifetimes, the trees blown into tormented angles by prevailing winds, and the terrain so rugged that Aboriginal rock paintings are still being discovered, all add to the spiritual pull of these lands.

One can see Zanettis love of his surroundings in all his works. He has a real understanding of the world he lives in, an empathy for the bush, and an acceptance of nature with all its flaws. He can be seen in his straw hat, walking the bush trails of Sydney, lugging great armloads of his ‘tools of trade’, and returning day after day, to perfect his brilliant contributions.

Peter Zanetti and his Artistic Call of the Wild

Singers in the Wood

Bone Dancers

There is no doubt that the often harsh landscape and scenery of Australia is enthralling not just to those who view it through the eyes of a filmmakers lens, or those who have the pleasure of a flying visit, but also to those who are resident in this amazing country. Not all may completely appreciate the magnificence of the parched earth, the scraggly bush, the continental bedrock exposed by erosion, on this oldest, lowest, flattest continent on Earth, but most can still be held in awe by its breath-taking beauty.

One artist who has clearly been captivated by this unique scenery for most of his life, is Sydney artist Peter Zanetti. His skill as an artist and print-maker has meant that much of the landscape as seen through his eyes, has been recorded in his own brilliant portrayal of colour, flora, shape and scale.

Forest Relics

Blistering

Peters’ skill as a screen printer is indisputable. His prints are limited editions, individually produced by him, signed and numbered.

His knowledge of the national parks skirting Sydney has meant that his work has become a relative time-capsule of the zone, as he systematically records what he sees, in his own inimitable style. Even his titles are captivating and are a clue to his brilliant eye for interpretation.

Joy by the Lake

Rise and Fall

The Edge Art Space is rightly proud to represent Peter Zanetti, and we are honoured to have his interpretations of this amazing land and the people inhabiting it, on our walls. As Peter continues to document his world as it evolves around him, we will continue to hang his work for the pleasure of all who enter The Edge Art Space.