'HOLD ON' - Alex Maciver & Sam Bloor

STALA CONTEMPORARY is proud to present HOLD ON, an exhibition of new artworks by WA based artists Sam Bloor and Alex Maciver. HOLD ON presents a range of work from mixed media paintings to sculptural installations in this new gallery space in West Perth.

Decline and fall in middle class along with the ongoing demonisation of working class have been previous focal points for these artists individually. The ineffective role of calmly accepting things as they are, whilst subtly motivating a resist or change in the current status quo are brought to the forefront in this broad dialogue. Now due to the more frequent emergence ofprotests arising globally specifically aimed at bringing attention to societal concerns around humanitarian, economic or environmental issues, we feel it makes sense to bring together our individual practices for this exhibition, HOLD ON. The power and role of protests and the apparent dismissal or stigma attached to considered contemplation and rest, are points of discourse in the influencing perceptions of what can be considered recovery. 

“Sam and I have a very similar approach in the arrival of a conceptual resolution, in that we are extremely conscious of multiple perspectives a viewer brings to the exhibition.” Alex Maciver

Drawing on imagery of subculture, anarchy, union protests and damaging caused by stereotyping, these artworks collectively enquire about the potential of delayed gratification, as a result of critiquing a less than ideal set of circumstances society has found itself in. Through a considered and unified presentation, these creative responses explore notions of prolonged frustration regarding contemporary concerns. Political observations, exhaustive preparations for rest in the work/life balance, cultural trends, perception of value and delayed gratification remain key threads of conceptual commentary our creative responses offer.

Through their individual influences, experiences and oeuvre, both Maciver and Bloor experiment with an apparent layering of text and images that represent many complexities that may be overlooked in the interpretation of the artwork. HOLD ON is an apt title for an exhibition for these two WA based artists. As a short sentence it may hold ambiguous meanings. It could be perceived as the enduring of difficult circumstances out with your control. It also could be a statement in determining a firm grasp in the halting of certain proceedings. As a beginning of a phrase, it could be perceived as manipulative; delivered with the intent to confuse an individual by rerouting a conversation in a direction more suited to a particular interest.