Catalogue Forward

    Via e-mail I was able to view ‘Javelins’, ‘Enlightenments’ and ‘Blade’ and was very impressed.  Through the collaboration with Noel, I brought in an additional ten sculptures that otherwise would not have been seen here. 

    Now three years on and having had two visits to Venice with Andrea as a guide, together with seeing his Venice and being exposed to his friends and fellow artists, has given me a wonderful introduction to his culture and has exposed me to aspects of his city that may not have otherwise been possible. 

    Andrea Morucchio has manipulated his photographs of the Neoclassical plaster sculptures by Antonio Canova (1757-1822) presenting them to us larger than life, their vivid blood red saturation to ochre tones are compelling.  These powerful, evocative images allow the viewer to fully appreciate not only the beautiful form of the sculpture, but also reveal the original marks created by the artist’s hand two hundred years ago. 

    Morucchio has been fascinated by the concept of steel being penetrated by glass, and this was the inspiration for the first series of ‘Ennlightenments’ and ‘Blade’ exhibited in Despard Gallery during 2003. In ‘Emerging Code’ he has pushed the concept further with this wonderful new series of photographs and sculptures that combine the power of forged iron with the beauty and transparency of glass. 

    Morucchio has successfully collaborated in the traditional sense with the forge, photo printer and furnace, evoking the time honoured practice of ‘The Guild’ which saw individual artists working together to achieve a common outcome.

    Andrea’s vision is that outcome. 

    I hope you enjoy emerging code and its place in the history of contemporary art in Tasmania.