As part of Sydney’s Art Month, this March sees the debut exhibition of celebrated animator and artist Cindy Scharka.

After a long and successful career in animation, “Between the Gutter and the Stars” is Scharka’s first solo fine art exhibition. Inspired by artists such as William Kentridge, Nicolas Harding and David Fairbairn, Cindy prefers the use of charcoal to other mediums, although ink and acrylic works also make an appearance in the show.

Her works, both imposing and earnest, include large streetscapes of the inner city areas of Darlinghurst, Surry Hills and evocative portraits of the characters that spend time there. The drawings have a gestural feel, reflecting a looseness and defying definition.

Many of her streetscapes have a solitary figure in the scene, connecting the viewer to the space. Scharka feels the isolated figure is a statement of our universal “alone-ness” implying that no-one really knows what goes on inside us or what makes us who we are as people.

The inspiration to create artwork about her local area is fuelled by a desire to represent a sense of beauty and depth in places that often don’t appear beautiful. “There are some days in this part of the city where all you notice is the sadness, dirt, grime and hardship then the next day is different; the sun is shining and you can have an impromptu dance with someone on the street corner. There is beauty in that” says the artist. “My aim is to present the people and spaces as I have experienced them and as they have been presented to me.”

When asked why the title “between the Gutter and the Stars?” Scharka replies simply “Because we all fit in there, somewhere.”

Opening night Thursday the 9th of March 6 - 9pm

As an official part of Sydney Art Month, the exhibition is on show from 9th - 21st March 2017 at the M2 Galley Shop 4/450 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, Sydney.