Dobell 2011

Wow what a feast for pencil pushers. The finalists certainly seved up an excellent array and variety of large scale drawings using pastel(featured medium this year) charcoal and graphite. I absolutely loved the offering from winner Anne Judell "Breath". As a follower of her beautifully delicate style, I was thrilled she finally made it to the winner's circle. Her deft and subtle use of pastel and grahite was second to no other and the subject matter was so creative and topical she deserved the meritorious accolades. I was totally inspired and believe the standard achieved this year was absolutely outstanding and definitely moving forward in concept and technique.
http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/dobell-prize-drawing-2011/

Yiwarra Kuju The Canning Stock Route

Colourful, cultural and contemporary, yet the artists involved could not be further from this description. Plucked  from isolation and virtual non recognition, their artwork is so innovative and thought provoking. The historical account of torture and capture by white cattlemen of the stock route punctuated by harsh barren landscape and waterholes. This story is only captured by those who have direct experience with these conditions and their resulting artworks are so imaginative and symbolic, vibrant and alive. The pain and hardship, the myths, such as the story of the cannibal spirit that dwells in the river, reminiscent of when the earliest and most remote nomads were cannibals makes for a fascinating exhibition unlike any Indigenous exhibition preceding it. See it until 29/4/2012 at the Australian museum.
www.australianmuseum.net.au

Picasso !

Finally the wait is over-while people all worldwide are waiting for the arrival of Santa, I was awaitng Picasso posthumously. He seemed quite at home at the Art Gallery of NSW. But the word in the corridors is that there was not enough of him, and the choice of works exhibited.
I was suitably impressed by the clarity and purity of the maestro's presentations, indeed a true innovative experience so imitated and appropriated that to the non art aficionado, this exhibition would just seem like a visit to a Modern School of Art. Something was missing to complete the experience, and I found that in the antitheatre, where I waited in a queue to enter the main arena.  Videos and photographs showing the aartist at work and at play, his associations with the women in his life, his friends and his peers, and, of course his beloved family. Picasso the man, needed to be present to add some life and extra pizazz to an exhibition celebrating his life not his death. I really did leave with the impression that I had been to a funeral, and not a celebration of one of the most notable artists and personalities of the 20th century.
P.S. I did purchase Francoise Gilot's book "Life With Picasso" and a book of Picasso's most famous life works by Phiadon Press-the exhibition catalogue was way too heavy......

SADE...

Sultry, sassy, silken tones and incredibly classy, Sade at the Sydney Entertainment Centre was the first adult concert I have been to for years. Perhaps it was the intimate rapport Sade successfully achieved with the audience and her band. Perhaps it was the rhythmic movement and seamless background/foreground curtain/digital image set changes. Perhaps it was the inner city,'Sin City' style night scape interlude complete with narration that provided the atmosphere for an impeccable concert where special effects, light shows, massed choirs and multitudes of dancers were not required as distractions. The Nigerian diva and her musicians provided pure showmanship and such an enjoyable evening. It was all about Sade, her sensuousness, her youthful grace and her love of life, beautifully presented and a show I will not forget. Colour, empathy, subdued sadness in struggle and life changes...city/country existence

Illawarra Crafts and Arts Network

Just a quick note recognising ICAN, who advertising, connections and Public liability Insurance to all its members. Joined the group 14/11/2011 . Nice meeting fellow artists and booked exhibition space at ican@7, Redpoint, Port Kembla. Regular updates via monthly  newsletter keeps members informed of upcoming exhibitions, workshops, art sales and legalities, studio space for hire and other artistic connections. Membership for students/conscession is only $50.00 per year-now that's an offer with benefits you just cannot refuse.
contact Helen,chair
 Kerry, secretary   42854531
 Cathy- exhibition co-ordinator (0417 372 129)
 Rae, membership and newsletter (0421 529 453 )   at Illawarra Crafts and Arts Network  42854531
  info@ican.asn.au  attention Rae

Gallery sitting at Art Arena and Black Heart Exhibition

waiting for punters and sales !

party time....

Catherine, Margaret,  and Maureen

Well, I did advertise, so I'll just have to bide my time and see who's interested.  Good old Maureen and Reg, great friends and Maureen graduates from Wollongong technical college with an Associate Diploma Fine Art next week...you go girl. We are both lovers of Central Australia, Maureen visits Alice every year since I met her 5 years ago, and changes her painting style with each new development of technique. She is a gallery assistant at Erwin gallery in Sydney and mixes with the best in the industry. I'm proud to have her as a friend and associate. Margaret is a Life model and loyal supporter. 

Black Heart Exhibition

Cannot believe how good it feels to have friends minding my exhibition for me. I must say i am impressed with the way it all looks, but I need some visitors. I chose not to have an official opening but to keep it informal but will be providing nibbles and drinks on Saturday 26/11/2011 for those "in the know" or "part of the loop".
Art Arena is a small Independently run gallery manned by dedicated  struggling artists and needs exhibitors for the coming year, 2012. Fees are the cheapest around for central Wollongong location. It's quiet and has a basement feel. parking at rear. Kitchen and toilet facilities. I'm donating a bar fridge.

Come on down.....

Black Heart Exhibition at Art Arena

"Bumped in" my exhibition works at Art Arena with the help of my sister, Margaret.4 hours of exacting, fiddling with wires and chains and no lunch, but we did it- now for the price list and more printing of flyers- exhausted and knee is hurting. I'll have to get the projector charged and photographs on hard drive ready for my adoring public. Back again tomorrow to sit and wait for viewers. Who...hoo...to be continued...

Gerroa Stay 'n Play

Spent 3 nights House and dogsitting down at Gerroa on the South Coast. Situated overlooking Seven Mile Beach, and a popular surfing and fishing spot, not to say Schoolies haunt, Gerroa is a great spot for landscape/beachscape photograhy. I managed a few great shots, from misty dawns to spectacular sunsets, I explored the possibilities whilst walking the aged but strenuous and manic Ridgeback. Thank God I did not have to administer the yellow pills in the bag upon instruction preceding storms or fireworks.
I also managed a couple of watercolour scenes, aquamarine with shots of colour to represent the numerous paragliding surfers and sailboards shooting across the choppy waters  in 20 knot winds.

I returned home wrecked as usual, with a knee the size of a football- I'll have to put some ice on that and get it checked out. Relaxing yet energetic and windblown, I will return as there are so many places to visit such as Coolangatta winery, Shoalhaven Heads and country roads to nowhere. The accommodation was first class and the junk food in abundance !

Anita Larkin

Anita at work

Anita Larkin, local resident and sculptor has been represented at every major art award in the last 10 year as well as having gained success internationall for her feltmaking and quirky scultures. I went down to Shellharbour Village's new exhibition Centre to
 re aquaint myself with her and view her beautiful handiwork. Whether you like her work or not, you can not doubt the superb workmanship that goes into each piece which has its own story. Every piece would be a welcome addition to any modern decor or fine art collector's cache. having attended one of Anita's feltmaking workshops, I have some insight into the process and possibilities of the craft and will certainly being attempting to create another piece in the near future.
www.anitalarkin.com                   

                    


                

Bloodland at the Wharf

http://www.bloodland.com.au

The Wharf causeway is a great place to meet up and watch the fantastic boats

View from the theatre 

Indigenous theatre at it's emotional best- Bloodland protrays a genre of drama which typifies Indigenous symbolism and spiritualty  as the underlying rhyme and reason for daily life and ritual in outback settlements While the family clan attempts to assimilate 20th century western civilisation anachronisms, the universal themes of teenage love, angst and rebellion against the known traditions and directives of the elders, and thefrustration in balancing the polar extremes of enculturalisation with generational development, suicide and interracial bickering are showcased. The tragic resolution is a communal funeral dirge where tradition and cleansing of the mourners overcomes all modernity. This is powerful drama, reality in an environment within our culture yet far removed from the urban environmental platform on which the play is performed..

Life Art

http://www.virginiamiller.com/exhibitions/1990s/AnaMendieta.html
http://youtu.be/35Wf4VIll1Y

http://youtu.be/pRj1dmaCslI

Green Poppy Art Summit

Some news from a Life Drawing group meeting


 at Shellharbour Village.


 The venue was Julie Core's "Green Poppy" fine


 foods and winery cafe.


 Alyssa chaired the meet which was attended by


 myself, Jo Mannisto and her mum, Nikki, Monique,


 Freda"Banksey", and tailed by Karen.


What is to become of our


 drawing group which


 has completed its tenancy at 


Shellcove Community Centre ?


We discussed alternative venues


 and future proposals for class content


 and organisation. We need a free venue so that we can


 keep costs down and pay our models. Any suggestions


 out there in Cyber space ?


In the meantime we are going to meet


 AT FRIEND'S HOMES,


 the first will be Freda "Banksey" on


Melbourne Cup evening.


 Still Life is the program and not Freda's


 husband as was suggested. 


After checking his photo, I think


 he would be a great "still life"....so on 


with the show.


Then the subject of the new Exhibition space


 at Shellharbour which is accepting proposals


 for future gallery showings. 


We are still not decided about that, but I


 am going to put in a proposal anyway, 


as I need an 


annual venue for my exhibitions.

rustic yet  contemporary setting

Nikki

Jo

Monique and Freda

Jo and her mum

eclectic gifts and jewelry

coffee, and bar

great meeting space and cafe style dining

Julie is such a lovely host, and the tea, juice


 and raisin toast and great personal service 


worked a treat in massaging


 both our egos and our enthusiasm to forge ahead. 


Thanks Julie and staff. Public acknowlegdement of 


our group is vital if we are to continue on, and


 Shellharbour Village provides the perfect backdrop. 


The atmosphere is very conducive to artistic


 development at the moment with the Exhibition


 Centre opening, finally, on the 27th October.


 Bravo...bravo...bravo...!

Black Heart Exhibition

My annual solo show

Pete Murray

Saturday 15/10/2011 at Waves nightclub....so out of my comfort zone, but the show was great. Pete would have to be the hottest Aussie "oldie" on tour right now. Forget the younger support acts, their sound was shocking and they were so boring and unprofessional that they only made Pete sound so good, what a voice. His new album is a knockout and I would have purchased a signed copy if it were not for millions of screaming cashed up youngsters in the way . I really wanted a tour photo for my blog experience and portraiture development. Oh well, next time. If I was 10 years younger........so hot.....oh stop...behave.....

Marg's birthday

entry to VIP bar

waiting in line to get into the venue

we were so far back this was all we could see

light show snchronised with music

and we're climaxing

beautiful  Pete, voice of an angel

Marg's birthday bash was the reason for the occasion, she loved it but agreed the venue was not suited to the calibre of the act. Sound checks please.