press release
Dickerson Gallery, Woollahra June 2000

exhibition 28 June - 23 July 2000

new works by James Powditch
W i d e s c r e e n
sculpture inspired by film

James Powditch's obsession with film is revealed in his new show at Dickerson Gallery in July. Consisting of a series of large wall constructions, each has been inspired by films of the 60s and 70s, films Powditch saw as a kid and ones that made a big impression on him. These are dark, haunting, uncompromising mainstream films — not all are great movies but all reflect a daring in content and style rarely seen today. Paranoia thrillers dominant the show, reflected in titles such as Parallax View, Manchurian Candidate, Blowup and The Conversation. The works are constructed in a widescreen format, primarily from timber and canvas with a plethora of bits and pieces — pianola scroll, road signs, flags, pressed tin, match boxes etc all combining to capture the essence of each film. Having devoted much of his last show to the works of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Powditch sees his new work as a chance to get back to the basics of good old-fashioned story-telling and also a chance to reflect on his recent and first trip to America. Whilst Wright's formal and aesthetic principles still run strongly through this show it is far more personal with Powditch returning to his first and great love — film.

Metro, The Sydney Morning Herald review July 2000