Ash Lieb’s “The Holy Grail” ♫

The legend of the Grail emerged out of the tale of the Last Supper and soon became the heart of folklore and the quest of knights far and wide. In Contemporary life, the legendary search for the Holy Grail is a symbol for seeking spiritual wholeness leading to union with the divine. Referencing figures of mythology and folklore, Ash Lieb presents his enlightened imagery in a visual quest for meaning in the here & now and the spiritual world. Drawing from literature and philosophers great and small the surreal imagery entwined within Lieb’s suburban landscapes, dark dreamscapes and vast open wilderness have been seamlessly composed with layers upon layers of digital imagery that call upon such themes as isolation, religion, hope, beauty and the sublime. The pop surrealist exhibition’s visual exploration into the mysteries of the world and the heavens is often guided by the commonplace realities of contemporary life but is presented in a way that is anything but common.

While Lieb’s previous exhibits may have reflected more of the humorous variety of absurdity, the intelligently conceptualized Holy Grail exhibit predominately falls within the philosophical definition of absurdity with ideas and concepts delving into the meaning of life, philosophy, existentialism, dreams, vision quests and animal spirits. The exhibit will also display for the first time a fan favourite artwork entitled “Weyekin” which was recently shortlisted for finalist consideration for the Blake Prize for spiritual art and will feature in the Blake Director’s Cut exhibition from January 2014.

Seamlessly rendered and technically exemplary the Holy Grail is an exhibit full of breathtakingly polished and sophisticated imagery, where each image reflects Lieb’s remarkable skill with using the computer to bend perception to his point of view. Ash Lieb is a master of the digital montage and our willingness to accept his altered reality as a version of the truth is one measure of how believable he makes that vision. The Holy Grail is an invitation to step through the looking-glass into the surreal world of Ash Lieb, and to make new friends amongst its whimsical yet brooding populace. The journey is guaranteed.

The Holy Grail runs from 11th – 27th October 2013 at Ballarat’s Backspace gallery. ♪♫ 

Official opening: Friday, October 11, 2013 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm

Backspace gallery Huyghue house 15 Camp Street, Ballarat, Victoria.