Artist KAREN CHAPPELOW says she needs to have “an opinion” in her painted work. Humble House principal ROGER CARTER agrees as he launches her new solo exhibition online. This is a sponsored post.

“FOLLY of Man – Wrong Way Go Back!” is the title of a new solo exhibition of work by WA artist Karen Chappelow, launched as an online exhibition by Fyshwick’s Humble House Gallery. 

Karen Chappelow’s style is expressionism-distortion, inspired by artists such as Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Modigliani and Picasso, says Humble House owner Roger Carter.

“Karen has collectors locally, nationally and internationally over her 20-year art career and we’re excited to showcase her work on our website,” he says.

All artworks are now available for sale through the Humble House website until October 10. 

Bold and provoking, Karen says she wants her art to make people talk: “Expressionism isn’t for everyone and I enjoy the quirky, unusual and weirdness of life which I think you can see in my work. 

“I want to make people talk, sometimes shock, but mostly smile and laugh when they view my work. You won’t find me painting landscapes. I need to have an opinion,” she says. 

In “Folly of Man – Wrong Way Go Back!” Karen says she was inspired by long conversations she has had about psychology, anthropology and science. 

Karen asked the question of her peers: “What do you consider a folly of man?” and she decided to paint their vastly different responses in a cohesive pictorial way “to confuse you even more than my original question,” she says. 

Karen says that her drive for “bucking the system” stems from her love of punk music and her thirst for the unusual, which in turn creates disruption and gives people the invitation to view life through a different lens. 

She leaves stories half-told on a canvas to make an impression and invite the observer to create their own story about what they see.

“What I really like about Karen’s work is that it is visually quirky and engaging. But each work also has a narrative – it’s not just a pretty picture – it has a message to engage and reflect upon,” says Roger, who has run the Humble House Gallery in Fyshwick since 1998. 

Humble House Gallery is a showcase of antique furniture and contemporary art. Roger says that their art program began formally only two years ago, with the upstairs section of the vast building becoming a furniture museum as well as a dedicated art gallery space used for exhibitions by local, national and international artists. 

“People are always surprised when they come here by the size of our space,” says Roger. 

Roger says that as much as he loves showcasing artworks physically in the art gallery, due to the online nature of so much of our lives there is now a growing acceptance and increased interest in buying art online.

With many advantages of buying online such as 24/7 access and ability to reach a wider audience, Roger encourages people to enjoy Karen’s works through the online exhibition and to get in touch with him for any queries or assistance. 

“Folly of Man – Wrong Way Go Back!” exhibition by Karen Chappelow is available to view online at humblehouse.com.au until October 10.