Derek Schapper’s upcoming exhibition of timber wall art at Earlywork Gallery in South Fremantle is an impressive and highly original expression of modernist and minimalist form.
Large scale displays of uniquely designed birds and fish intermingle with a variety of scenes including formal Italian gardens, a French water tower, an Albany seascape, botanicals and ancient rocky gorges. The breadth of these styles demonstrates Schapper’s evolving design aesthetic.
“Originally, I adopted, revived and adapted examples of modernist designs into timber wall ornaments with an Australian/European flavour. I began making mainly birds and fish, and mounting them off-wall to create depth and shadows.
“My new designs depict both the man-made and natural world. ‘Modernism’ is a very broad term which encompasses many different ways of effecting strong simple designs with minimal ornamentation. I like to think that what I do is one of those ways.”
Handmade from primarily West Australian timbers these original artworks spring from the greatest designer of them all – Nature.
“The choice of timber is part of the design process. I generally use Western Australia’s unique timbers, especially jarrah. WA has a wide variety of Eucalyptus with colours ranging from deep red to creamy white. Banksia, casuarina and melaleuca add further possibilities in texture, grain and colour.”
This is Schapper’s first exhibition in Fremantle, curated by Kate Lindsay at Earlywork Gallery.
“Earlywork Gallery is ideal for my work in that it allows large scale display of birds. All birds need space and mine are no exception.”
DEREK SCHAPPER
Modernism: Another View
12 February – 3 March 2025
Open Daily 10am – 4pm
Earlywork Gallery, 330 South Terrace (cnr Wardie St) South Fremantle
www.earlywork.gallery
Perth Voice Interactive 
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