Michael Portley
Flora
In Michael Portley's latest series of work for exhibition, Flora, floral subjects have been incorporated into his landscape compositions. Appearing in various guises these floral motifs make symbolic and metaphorical reference to ulterior constructs. The themes that are often implicit in the work traverse ideas relating to the human condition, environmental degradation as well as 21st century fears and phobias. Allusions to human interconnectedness and society, ceremony and human nature are represented in the anthropomorphised plants and environments, yet – as the artist intends - presented without politic.
Flora is Michael Portley’s sixth solo exhibition with Kick Gallery since first exhibiting with Kick in 2002. Previous solo exhibitions with Kick Gallery include Thought Installations[2002]; Fetish Coastale [2004]; Point [2007]; Next [2008]; and Counterpoint [2010].