“Throughout the day images from our subconscious try to push their way into our every day lives”.

Martin Francis and Nadia Hilton have attempted to capture these images for their unique exhibition.

Martin Francis, lecturer in Digital Media with the Faculty of Informatics & Communication at Central Queensland University in Mackay, began his association with Nadia Hilton when they met in 2004. They became friends and over time discovered their joint interests in art.

While Martin’s work life involves the use of high tech computers to create digital images, his creative talents don’t end there. In his spare time Martin enjoys creating artworks using the more traditional techniques of oil and acrylic on canvas.

“The contrast between my work with CQU which involves elements of digital art, and my arts practise which involves more traditional techniques is quite striking,” said Martin. “I enjoy being able to express my creative talents using various media; the subject determining which media I use".

The exhibition entitled 'Dream Catchers – Images from the subconscious', opens at 7pm this Friday November 4 at the Milton House Gallery, and includes a collection of 21 works by Martin in acrylic and oil and 20 ceramic sculptures by Nadia.

Martin has previously exhibited in Mackay, Western Australia and South Australia. Nadia, who lives in Townsville, has previously exhibited in both Townsville and Cairns.

"Nadia is excited to be holding her first exhibition in Mackay," said Martin.

Nadia and Martin decided to collaborate on this project after many discussions over glasses of wine - and have been compiling their exhibition for the past year.

“The works I have included in this exhibition are images that have come to me over the last 12 months,” said Martin. “I didn’t question their meaning ... I simply painted what I saw.”.

Martin, who came to Australia in 1969 as the child of a "20 pound Pom", first experienced Australia by swimming in the local creek, building tree houses, playing cricket and chasing the odd bull around the paddock.

According to Martin’s web site, the meaning behind most surreal work is uncertain until it is almost completed.

“In standing back and looking at this exhibition,” says Martin, “I would have to say that the theme appears to be the times I experienced as a boy – times which have now gone.”.

“My ability to identify with these times is fast becoming a memory, but I feel I have now recorded some of these subconscious images for this exhibition,” said Martin.

“We are very pleased to see our exhibition come to fruition”.

Some of the images and sculptures are abstract, some look rather phallic, others have a surreal dream-like quality, but all are products of the subconscious mind and imagination.

This unique exhibition opens this Friday at 7pm at the Milton House Gallery in Mackay and will be on display until mid-December.

For more information please contact Martin Francis on 07 4940 7828 or visit his web site at http://www.infocom.cqu.edu.au/Staff/Martin_Francis/martin%20francis/splash.htm.

Photo above: 'Dream Catcher', oil on canvas work by Martin Francis.

Photo left: 'The Nature of Business', ceramic sculpture by Nadia Hilton.