Mike O'Kane - 'Changing Circumstances' - Photospace Gallery 11 July to 13 August 2022

Mike O'Kane - 'Changing Circumstances' at Photospace Gallery 11 July-13 August 2022

'Changing Circumstances' is Mike O’Kane’s third exhibition at Photospace Gallery, and the title references how we can be rearranged by circumstances sometimes beyond our knowing.

Since O’Kane’s 2012 Photospace exhibition, his style and content have evolved- most scenes in this exhibition also now include elements of his paintings which often are the genesis of a work. He has combined these with photographic techniques and Photoshop computer manipulation to create almost surreal sculptural scenes. O’Kane has come to celebrate the many serendipitous additions and erasures that can occur during this process.

The gods of war seem never sated, so O’Kane uses plastic models which depict war to suggest another narrative; no longer are they simple ciphers of combat, and in these seven images none of the figurines (bar one) brandish weapons. O’Kane has assembled and painted all the plastic figurines shown in these works. Those used in Dardanelles Two Step were particular poignant for him, as the figurines come from a set made in Kiev, Ukraine.
 
O’Kane has been exhibiting for many years. His works are held in several regional galleries, and in private collections in New Zealand and Australia.

Mike O'Kane 2012 Photospace Gallery exhibition and artist info

Mike O'Kane 'Just Playing' at Photospace Gallery, 2017

Note: 'Changing Circumstances' is initially installed as a cluster hang in the main gallery room.
The exhibition will be closed for a few days prior to 5th August, when it will make room for Cathy Tuato'o Ross's exhibition 'Stand Still', and will reappear in gallery room 3 in a different configuration, from 5th to 13th August. I'm interested to see how this will change the way the works are viewed.