The latest exhibition at Traffic Jam Galleries is the glossy highly detailed and vibrant MATTERS OF THE HEART by Danielle McManus.
The Lovers is a double portrait of owls atop large red waratahs, and there are delicate fluttering butterflies.
Curious is a very strong work, a young girl in a pink dress interacting with magpies and an echidna, featuring a yellow bottle brush. There is a landscape background and a white tree and earth with leaves. The twisted arm and pointed finger pull the eye into the forceful, muscular composition.
Flowers to Show That I Love You has a headless person in a blue apron in a field with a huge bouquet of red, pink and white flowers.
First Date depicts two Rosella parrots atop two large red open waratahs. The detail in the waratahs and birds is glorious.
Getting Advice – returns in some ways to McManus’ ‘usual’ style, with a child in an old fashioned aviator helmet going for a walk with a seagull perched on its shoulder.
Smorgasbord features a delightful huge array of native flora – banksia, bottlebrush, Australian native flowering gum tree flowers and two birds.
All For Me has flannel flowers and other green and white native flora and a hovering bird planning to feast on the bouquet.
Frida and the Sunbirds show Kahin a spotted blue dress with her definitive etched eyebrows. Purple flowers are behind her and there are two glowing yellow sunbirds.
Danielle McManus’ exhibition MATTERS OF THE HEART runs at the Traffic Jam Galleries, 41 Military Road, Neutral Bay until 3rd August 2024.
Featured image : Danielle McManus ‘First Date’
