Recent Aussie Visual Art news
Recent Art Awards were announced and here are some of the winners..
Cairns-based painter Ian Waldron has won the $35,000 Glover Prize for landscape painting for his work Cockle Creek. Imants Tillers, one of this year’s judges, said Waldron was the first Indigenous Australian to win the Glover.
Danie Mellor has won the $15,000 Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing for his diptych The Offerings (A Custom Ritual). The work was selected from a field of 407 entries by judge Cathy Leahy, senior curator of drawings and prints at the National Gallery of Victoria. ”These are impressive and memorable drawings. The enigmatic encounter represented in them, together with their impressive formal qualities and complexities of meaning, invite sustained contemplation,” she commented.
Also shortlisted for the award were Mostyn Bramley-Moore, Dagmar E Cyrulla, David Fairbairn and Sallie Moffatt.
Scott Bycroft has won the $25,000 National Photographic Portrait Prize for his portrait of teenager Zareth Long at a school swimming carnival. Bycroft won out over a field of 43 finalists, including Australian Art Collector photographer Stephen Oxenbury, who was shortlisted for his portrait of Owen Yalandja.
Gosia Wlodarczak has won the inaugural non-acquisitive $10,000 Stanthorpe Art Festival prize for her drawing Lawrence Armchair Graphite.
Kim Buck has won the $5,000 Limestone Coast Art Prize for her charcoal drawing Faithless (the weight of it all).
Carmen Reid has won the $10,000 Williamstown Festival Contemporary Art Prize.
Tanmaya Bingham, Titania Henderson, John Kelly, Marco Luccio, Saffron Newey and Julie Shiels are among the artists shortlisted for the open medium $15,000 Williamstown Festival Contemporary Art Prize.
Among those named finalists in the Glover Prize, $30,000 landscape painting award are Rodney Pople, Stephanie Tabram, Megan Walch, Philip Wolfhagen, Helen Wright, Nicholas Blowers,Neil Haddon, Kristin Headlam and David Keeling. The winner will be announced on 5 March 2010.
William Eicholtz, Kate Rohde, Jud Wimhurst, Louise Paramor, Caroline Rothwell and Jonathan Leahey are among the artists shortlisted for the McClelland Sculpture Survey & Award, to be announced in November 2010.
Painter Michael Zavros has been selected by the Lismore Regional Gallery to judge the Northern Rivers Portrait Prize.
Gabrielle Jones has been awarded a residency at the Valparaiso Foundation, Mojacar, Spain. She intends travel in late 2010 or in 2011.
These results are from the Australian Art Collector Magazine.
Art Competition
Lethbridge gallery is running a “small scale” art competition for 2010.
Fields of view - Interview Peter Biram
Peter Biram
Tell us about the works you have created for this series of exhibitions.
My current body of work is exploring the recent 2009 Black Saturday bushfires this links into previous works exploring the theme of ‘land ownership’ and ‘usage’ within an environmental framework. This relationship includes traditional and non-traditional interaction with the land. This work reads on several layers-
- Mark making
On this level the viewer processes the work on a surface level, that is to say the paint texture and colour of the work. The work at this level can be read in decorative terms.
- Subject
At this level the viewer reads the work as a landscape, within this framework the observer can interpret the geometric forms as pure decoration.
- Conceptual Narrative
Within this theme of land ownership I am exploring the pressure that is placed on the land in an environmental sense both in a western/ European standpoint (In some works I use the ‘hard edged ’Motifs or symbols’ ) and the koorie perspective, (the dots).
I am also exploring the fine balance that exists in the natural environment, some of my past works explore this theme of ‘Balance.
This is to say “Order & Chaos” found within nature and the balance of power shifting between the two states.
Many of my compositions are deliberately broken into two sections symbolizing the two states of chaos & order, the fine balance of nature is placed under pressure re land “caretakership”.
Within this framework I have explored both contemporary ownership symbolized by various motifs which is usually in the bottom half of the composition.(from a European standpoint)
The ‘hard edged’ nature of the chosen motifs or symbols’ also represents past civilizations, this presents a symbol of ‘land ownership’ in the sense of ‘branding’ the land.
I also usually choose hard edge shapes because of its direct contrast to the soft organic nature of the bush motif. This also symbolizes human kind’s influence on the natural landscape.
How has the environment shaped the art you produce?
The concern for the natural environment has always plays a large part of my life. Art can be a powerful platform or a stage that one can express concepts or concerns. In this case I express the ever- growing concerns over the natural environment. In this form my focus is towards human kind and the relationship human kind has with the natural environment with special attention to ‘land usage’.
What does being an environmental expressionist mean to you?
I have major concerns over the future with regards over the natural environment, and art is an excellent vehicle for expressing these ideas. If we subscribe to these views one can take this to the next level, as collective voice in the form of an art movement, this is why I founded the new art movement - ‘Environmental Expressionism’ ,to more effectively pass on the message
Australian landscape is a well represented genre, what do you think Fields of View and your own work adds to the genre?
The paintings which have established a permanent place in the Australian heritage are usually those which depict the ‘typical’ Australian landscape or express an aspect of Australian character.
This is the common demoninator which surpasses the changes in genre, style, and me and links such paintings as Tom Roberts’ The Breakway, Arthur Boyd’s Wimmera Landscape and ShoalHaven series, Sir Hans Hysen’s Spring Early Morning, Russell Drysdale’s The Rabbiters and finally Fred Williams Upwey,Lysterfield and Pilbara series, to name a few.
Paintings themselves emerge as valuable, known and loved works but it would be impossible to present Great Australian Paintings on the basis of judgment of individual paintings. Rather, this book is a salute to the founders of Australian tradititions in art, artists whose successors are even now enriching that tradition in new ways.
The first great school of Australian painting is well represented in this volume. This was time of he ‘golden era’ of painting in the 1880’s and 1890’s, the time of artists like Roberts, Condor, Streeton and McCubbin. With the light of the French Impressionist movement, they were the first to capture the true vision of the country, to break away from the idealised interpretatons that went before.
It is my hope my work has followed, with no less distinction, by the paintings of this age – each new work I undertake will hopefully be discovering and illuminating a new element in Australian landscape or scene.
What sorts of messages are you communicating with your work?
I am an environmental expressionist painter. The paintings explore the theme of questionable land ownership and usage within an environmental framework. This relationship includes traditional and non-traditional interaction. I examine the pressure that is placed on the land in an environmental sense including the fine balance that exists in the natural environment. I usally break my paintings into two sections symbolizing the two states of chaos & order, with special attention to the effects of the Victorian bush fires of 2009.
What makes this exhibition so important people should go and see it?
Fields of View presents a variety of perspectives and perceptions about the environment, through the eyes, hearts and minds of five passionate Australian artists. Artists Leonie Ryan, Kerrie Warren, Peter Biram, together with Ursula and Werner Theinert share their individual visions, emotion’s and concepts about the environment including individual experiences of the Black Saturday bush fires.
Update - Bruno Quinquet
Bruno Quinquet who I interviewed 12 months ago has had a great chunk of media attention with this feature article in the London Contemporary Photography magazine HotShoe, Some great photo’s!
http://www.brunoquinquet.com/pdf/HS163_pp08-19.pdf
Start Looking - Art Videos online
I love it when I find another great Art Resource.
This one has all sorts of video interviews with artists. Enjoy!
http://www.startlooking.co.uk/
Exhibition - Margaret Zox Brown
A site for emerging Visual Artists…
I like to think my Art sites are the only ones out there… but thankfully they aren’t and every now and then I get to check out others. Here’s one that came up today which has some great information for emerging artists! http://www.artsyshark.com/
Carolyn Edlund has an active blog with interviews and ideas to get the ball rolling, well done Carolyn.
Ryan lights her own fire…
Leonie Ryan is a Victorian Artist with a passion for getting things done. Possibly her biggest project to date is the Fields of View traveling exhibition, coordinating five Visual Artists to explore a range of environmental issues and tie in with the environmental expressionism theme.
Lets chat to her and find out more..
How did this exhibition come about?
After touring an art exhibition with Warragul artist group ‘Wild Dogs from Down Under’ throughout Victoria including exhibiting in China for two weeks, I had a deep desire to tour an art exhibition through Regional Victoria.
I approached the ‘Wild Dogs from Down Under’ artist group first, though most of the artists focus was back on their solo careers. I commenced the Fields of View project in August 2008 with artists Kerrie Warren and Eileen Harrison both from ‘Wild Dogs from Down Under’. Our artwork was uniquely different from each other, though connected through our passion for nature and energy within life. I felt the small trio group required an extra artist and thought it would be interesting to continue with the feminie energy flow. I invited Ursula Theinert who was very pleased to be involved.
Like all projects Fields of View also has had its ups and downs. Unfortunately Eileen Harrison had enduring commitments and realised she could not totally commit to the Fields of View project at the time, therefore withdrawing from the project.
After some months of considering possible artists to invite into the project, the decision was made to invite artists Peter Biram and Werner Theinert on board. Both Werner and Peter’s works explore similar themes as Ursula, Kerrie and I.
All five artists involved in the Fields of View exhibition vary in medium, style and visual language, creating a diverse exhibition together with environmental unison and aspiration. This is the basis of how Fields of View touring exhibition was born.
Why a travelling show?
The purpose of a travelling exhibition to regional galleries is to reveal individual stories through the visual language creating a connection between place, time and people, throughout far reaching regions of Victoria and possibly beyond.
Tell us about organising the show, the challenges, the inspiration, getting galleries on board etc?
To organise an exhibition to tour Regional Art Galleries throughout Victoria is an interesting ambition. What compels me is my ambition and enthusiasm for my art practice, also my awareness and privilege of being a woman in the Western World in the twenty first century.
My inspiration is my love of life, living without regret, and the idea of when I’m 90 years old sitting in a rocking chair; I can say to myself “Yes! I really have lived a fulfilled life”.
My role in Fields of View is both as an Artist and Co-ordinator. Co-ordinating involves making many decisions, writing and re writing of exhibition proposals, gallery formalities, schedules, various associations, negotiations, budgets, emails, telephone calls and ensuring the artists are content.
In all honesty, a juggling act but also very satisfying. My philosophy is make a good plan, follow it through by then placing one foot in front of the other and then seeing what happens next.
Tell us about the works you have created for exhibition.
I am an installation artist which means I utilise whatever medium most appropriate for the design of my concept. My concepts mainly relate to the natural environment with themes exploring metaphysical, philosophical and universal connection.
For my Fields of View installation Organic Mechanism 102 I have made large cubistic blocks from recycled polyurethane and covered them with contoured and patterned wall paper. The surface is finished with terracotta coloured paint.
The large cubes represent geometric shape and form much like a cityscape with reference of man’s influence of construction within the environment. Juxtaposing the large cubes is the surface texture of contours and earthly colour.
Five abstract stainless steel mirror finished sculptures represent the natural environment in the form of symbols; Man in a key- earths guardian; Frog- the waterways; Triple energy spiral- universal connection; Mother Nature- spirit and energy of the natural environment; and Tree- the lungs of our planet.
Housed inside the centre of the cubistic installation is a video reviewing the 2009 bush fires which generates a foreboding and eerie sensation.
Mother Nature Leonie Ryan 2009
Stainless steel
VIP Art Event 2010…
This is set to be a big event for the Artists involved, but also a great event for those with an interest in Art and the incredible chance to dine at Parliament house in Victoria. Book early so you don’t miss out… Note most of the artists have been interviewed right here, take a search and see their works and what’s driving them…
To find out more about the Environmental Expressionists art movement take the link and see more. The evening will also serve as a fundraiser to create scholarships for prospective Visual Art Students at TAFE level.
The event will also showcase works from each of the Artists in the Fields of View traveling exhibition.
Golden Plains Art Trail
Today, Sunday the 25th Oct 09 I went to check out the Golden Plains Shire art trail, its in the western district of Victoria. Many farms and very small communities yet with a heap of Visual Artists and Craftspeople. It was a great weekend (I only got to the Sunday Part) and met a bunch of Artists from realistic to abstract, crafty to conceptual… All up I think I did about 270 klms! It would be fantastic to see other regions do this sort of thing as the turnout of viewers and artists was solid! Well done to the organisers, now to hassle my regional arts and culture people to do a similar thing! 
For more info check out the website of the golden plains shire.
Whyalla Art Prize - Neil Haddon Winner
Well Done Neil! 2009 Whyalla Art Prize winner.
Art Shop for sale… You know you want it!
Leonie Barton from Art Depot wrote asking for a hand in mentioning her business is up for sale… Go on buy her out, you know you want an art store… you can rummage to your hearts content, meet budding artists and enjoy the ambiance, and in a nice area too!
Dear Steve…
“I have an art supply store on Sydney’s northern beaches that houses my studio, is beautifully filled with natural light, 2 mins walk to the beach for lunch or afterwork dip and blessed with a wonderful customer base including Bruce Goold, Kerrie Lester and other award winning artists. Sadly (due to one of my childrens health) I am putting the shop up for sale. I realise that normally it would be innapropriate to ask you to include this information in one of your posts but “mothers love” and a need to be out of here by christmas sometimes pushes us to ask the necessary questions. For whomever comes into the shop it is a chance to cash in on the christmas surge. Can you help me ? I hope this note finds you well.”
Yours Sincerely
Leonie Barton
Studio 7 Chelsea Lane
48 Old Barrenjoey Road
Avalon Beach
NSW 2107
02-9918 2009
0414 963 332
Art Classes - Geelong Region
ARTWORX – 136 Ryrie Street, Geelong
Pastel Portrait and Landscape workshops
The Painting Portraits with Pastel workshop explains the basic principals in a step by step approach to building a likeness, while finding and growing a talent for portraiture. The Pastel Landscape and Flowers workshop explores an impressionistic approach to capturing the beauty of flowers using the pastel medium. Demonstrates the basics of colour, composition and technique. Artist: Faye Owen.
| Dates: | Painting Portraits with Pastel - 9 October 2009 Pastel Landscape and Flowers - 23 October 2009 |
| Times: | 10.00am to 3.00pm |
| Cost: | $120 per adult |
Illustration Workshop
Learn to draw with international writer and illustrator Conny Fechner in a day. Draw and paint with pen, ink wash, colour pencil and water colour paint. Harness the quirky artist within. Explore your creative skills and combine your favourite person, place and things in your own special piece.
| Dates: | 14 October and 17 October 2009 |
| Times: | 10.00am to 3.00pm |
| Cost: | $120 per adult |
Kids Art Classes
Inspire your children to be creative. Let them travel on an inspirational journey with art educator and artist Karen McGlynn. Classes are held in a friendly and caring environment. Classes include drawing and illustrating using pencils, inks and pastels as well as Manga drawing, painting, mixed media and scrapbooking. Ages range from 6 to 14 years. Please bring a snack and art smock.
| Dates: | To 17 November 2009 |
| Times: | Tuesday and Wednesday 4.00pm to 6.00pm |
| Cost: | $120 for six weeks |
Adult Art Classes
Artworx has adult workshops to reveal every person’s hidden artist. Come on your own or with a group of friends and enjoy the comfort of a creative environment with well-known art educator and artist Karen McGlynn. Learn to draw and illustrate in pen, acrylic paints and mixed media.
| Dates: | To 17 November 2009 |
| Times: | Tuesday 10.00am to 2.00pm, Wednesday 10.00am to 12.00pm |
| Venue: | Artworx, 136 Ryrie Street, Geelong |
| Cost: | $120 for six weeks |
| Contact: | (03) 5229 4677 |
| Email: | sales@artworxgeelong.com.au |
| Website: | www.artworxgeelong.com.au |
BROUGHAM SCHOOL OF ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY - Level 1, 73 Malop Street, Geelong
Drawing Skills Short Course
This course will commence with building confidence in foundational skills such as use of line, tone and linear perspective. Further drawing exercises will encourage experiments with a range of drawing media, approaches and techniques with the aim of empowering you as an artist.
| Dates: | To 26 November 2009 |
| Times: | 9.00am to 12.00pm |
Art After School
Titled ‘Fruit & Flowers’ these classes will develop drawing and painting skills through a focus on contrasting approaches to Still Life. After studying works by famous Dutch and Japanese artists, the students will be guided in developing an individual approach to still life painting. The classes, taught by Jen Boyd, run for six weeks and are suitable for children aged 10 to 14 years.
| Dates: | 15 October to 19 November |
| Times: | 4.00pm to 6.00pm |
| Venue: | Brougham School of Art & Photography, Level 1, 73 Malop Street, Geelong 3220 |
| Cost: | $240 |
| Contact: | (03) 5229 9984 |
| Email: | admin@broughamart.vic.edu.au |
| Website: | www.broughamart.vic.edu.au |
Sotheby’s Australia sold
Reported in The Age Newspaper this morning 29/09/09
The Australian art auction world is in shock this morning as it wakes up to the news that Sotheby’s has sold its Australian arm to a rival company headed by Sydney businessman and auctioneer Tim Goodman. Sotheby’s Australian staff, who were told of the takeover only yesterday were shocked by the announcement. Mr Goodman, as chairman, chief executive and shareholder of First East Auction Holdings Limited (FEAL), the company that has bought the Sotheby’s licence, was instrumental to negotiations. He would not reveal the amount paid for the licence, but The Age understands it could be as little as in the low millions. The transaction will be finalised later this year. Mr Goodman is also the current chairman and chief executive of Bonhams & Goodman auction house, but he will be breaking ties with British firm Bonhams, terminating the licence to use the Bonhams’ name on December 22.
Last night, Bonhams chairman Robert Brooks announced that Bonhams 1793 - a shareholder in FEAL, which has traded as Bonhams & Goodman for six years - would launch its own independent operation in Australia and was looking to expand its presence here.
Australian tax ruling benefits artists!
The Australian Tax Office has a ruling which could benefit many Artists…
The main points of the ruling mentioned in this article are:
1. Purchased (And Paid for) prior to the 31st Dec 2009
2. Write off 50 percent of the purchase Price
3. Artworks classify as depreciable Assets
4. An annual income of less than A$2m for 50% deduction
5. 10% deduction if the Annual income is greater than A$2m
6. The Artwork must be NEW - A work that has never been sold before. (from an artist, primary Gallery, not the secondary market, eg Auctions etc)
7. Displayed for a Dominant Business Purpose (In Australia)
8. If a home office, then hung in that office and not the living room.
9. Artwork must be held for a minimum of 1 year…
Bowness Photography Prize, winners are grinners
This info just in from Dianne Tanzer’s gallery…
Thanks fellow Arties!
One of the joys of running this site is seeing the donations people make to assist with the running of the site… it gives me great satisfaction to see others like what happens in here! This month there have been two donations and in the past few months there was a few others.
Like Paul Kelly’s song says “From little things big things grow!”
Yay to everyone who has given so generously (hey, even $5 is generous to me most days!)
:) :)
Chinese Contemporary Art… a source…
Here is a link to a blog on the subject, interesting. http://www.mlartsource.com/en/blog
Make art and sell it? Then this could be for you…
Art Palaver, one of many art resources but Daryle’s seems to have a different edge to most… check it out… http://www.artpalaver.com/
It’s coming…
The Regionalis exhibition is coming, not far to go now, Aug 19th it starts… Will you be checking it out?
Warren gets New York Magazine kudos
News flash, well not quite ,as it was from last month, but great news none the less! New York Magazine Gallery and Studio published this article on Kerrie Warren’s Exhibition and works… Well Kerry you must be very pleased to get these great comments, especially in the lead up to more exhibitions like Regionalis. Well done!
New York magazine Gallery and Studio and Kerrie Warren's NY Exhibition in June 09
Carols new studio - Moppet
Carol Es, who I interviewed a while back has just moved to a new studio in L.A. part of a vibrant arts community it seems. I like the picture of it but liked the google maps image more…
Now why would you call a studio “Moppet”?
She has been busy and will have a few shows on the cards… check out her news.
Meet the Red Bubble Guy!
You are invited to the next hive melbourne event with Peter Styles from RedBubble.com on July 14th. go to the site and see the details, it’s free and usually a great event! bookings ESSENTIAL!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=95134963722 (that’s for details and to RSVP on facebook)
http://www.thehive.org.au/
Scroll down when you get to the site, to the melb event with Peter… 
Interview survey
Dear valued Reader and or Viewer. We have managed to put up a number of Visual Artist interviews with lots more to come. Many of you have provided very positive feedback thus far which is great, however I am aware there may be others who take a “look but don’t touch” approach. They’re often the ones with thoughts on ways to improve things but glance by and keep on going.
So folks with all this in mind can we get some feedback please.
- Are the interviews of value?
- Are they too long?
- Are the questions useful (thus far?)
- Are the artists the sort you want or are there other “types” you would like me to find?
- Is the quality of responses okay or…
- Should there be more images of their art or perhaps fewer…
These are a few starting points to utilise when you respond (use the comment button below this post.
If you feel you want to keep things more anonymous then drop me an email at info@stevegray.biz
Thanks in advance Steve Gray.
Artists market
| Substation Artists Market | |
 |
Held on the first Saturday of every month from 10.00am - 4.00pm
Showcasing works of art which are both unique and of the highest quality. The Substation Artists’ Market is about to explode onto the local art scene. With the potential to host up to 120 stalls in this iconic local building. The Substation is ideally situated to become the home of the next big artists market in the west. Artists will be exhibiting, demonstrating and discussing their work with the visiting public. For more details and stallholder applications visit www.thesubstation.org.au Newport Vic… Near the Train Station. |
Black Saturday - A Tale of Two Artists
Art provides us with many journeys, opportunities and challenges, however few would have been expecting the tragic situation which occurred in Victoria on Black Saturday and would be thinking of it as a driver or motivator for art works. Two Contemporary Australian Artists Ursula and Werner Theinert were caught in the fire and lived, and are now able to share their harrowing experience with us.
I am pleased to say they have seemingly come out with only a few “scars”, (For regular readers you will know Ursula as one of our interviewees and also her contribution of a story on her first solo exhibition.) Both Artists will be part of at least two exhibitions later in 2009 - 10, Regionalis and Fields of View, you can track those shows via each website over the coming months.
Now, their incredible the story…
BLACK SATURDAY - 7TH OF FEBRUARY 2009 - CALLIGNEE VICTORIA
My name is Ursula Theinert and my husband Werner and I are artists who live in Callignee. Callignee was one of the areas which suffered terribly in the Black Saturday Fires of 7th of February, 2009.
We stood and fought this dreadful fire and managed to save our home, though badly damaged, but lost our studio, workshop and garages and all that was stored within. This meant of course all the tools and stored treasures, but most upsetting of all were the many paintings, etchings, sketches, photographs and sculptures and five years of art materials.
We love our little mud brick home way up in the hills south of Traralgon Victoria. Our farmlet is surrounded by farms, quarries and plantations. The area inspires our art and as Environmental Expressionists, we feel passionately about the environment and believe art is an important vehicle to encourage insights and discussions into the many complex issues which are confronting us all. I mostly paint and Werner photographs.
As you can imagine we were deeply shocked by this frightening experience, but have managed to begin rebuilding our lives with the great help and support of many kind and generous people who have helped us emotionally, financially and psychologically deal with this trauma.
The sharing of this story is to help others understand the events of that day and even though we feel, and are incredibly lucky and fortunate to have survived it will also assist us in coming to terms with our experiences and loss.
Our day unfolded….. Everyone knows what a terribly hot day that Saturday was, and we were expecting Werner’s brother’s family from Tasmania and had the house in readiness for a fun weekend. The temperature climbed and we asked them to stay in Melbourne because the heat was causing rail problems and there were dangerous fires in the Bunyip area (to the west). Indeed, we were intently listening to the A.M. radio station 774, and watching the weather satellite and CFA websites because we were concerned for our friends near this ever growing fire.
Our hearts sank when we heard there was a new fire coming from Churchill and heading towards Mt. Tassie, which is only a few kilometres away from us. When we heard there was a wind change coming, we knew we were in serious trouble. We had always planned to stay and fight a fire, but we felt very tense and frightened when we realized all our fears were becoming a reality. We silently went into setting our ‘Fire Plan’ into the final stages of readiness, preparing ourselves we started the pumps and began watering.
The smoke turned the day into night and then we heard IT!!! The sound of the fire approaching was like a 747 airliner coming into land. The wind was gusting and we found it very hard to breathe. We had torches in our pockets and had to use them because even though it was only about 5 o’clock, it became pitch black. Well until we could see the glow off in the distance. The power went off but we still had the petrol fire pump and kept on watering.
Then we saw the glow grow brighter and started back towards the house. The embers came for only a few minutes and then we had to make a desperate run for the house as the fire ball struck. The flames were like a giant blow torch blowing past our house. Embers came through the door gaps. Smoke and flames crept into our study roof and we began the fight with wet towels and buckets. We lost the fight at first with the smoke driving us out of the study. We stood in the kitchen and witnessed the fire exploding all the surrounding trees. Our workshop and studio and our neighbours house were all being devoured. Night turned into a horrific searing daylight!
We were becoming quite frightened now, because the smoke was filling the house and it was too dangerous to go outside. It was a dilemma, but we were choking and had to leave. Luckily, we had a small alcove outside in our entrance area and it was that little space, which saved us during the continuing firestorm.
When the fire eased a little Werner ran to the fire pump, but it had been destroyed, as were all our fire hoses. Our outside buckets had melted down to the water line, the bungalow was now on fire and the water inside the house and the bungalow could not be reached because of the acrid smoke.
We had felt again in terrible straits but then realized that our swim spa’s 6,00 litres of water was our only hope. We gathered together some buckets and began the long and difficult task of putting out several fires with only the water from the spa. We had many moments of fear that our efforts would fail because the fire was so stubborn and resisted our efforts. We continued to bucket water and do continual checks around the house and bungalow until 3 a.m. we were physically and mentally exhausted!
We will never forget watching the fires all around in the early hours of Sunday, holding each other’s hands and realizing how lucky we were to have survived this harrowing ‘Black Saturday’.
In the smoky dawn we saw the aftermath of that night and we fell into a kind of shock as our minds came to terms with this experience and the losses of most of our artwork, art materials and tools.
It takes quite some time to actually realize what has been lost and feel rather overwhelmed to think about beginning from scratch. Of course, many things can be rebuilt and bought anew, but many other things cannot!
Werner was terribly upset because he was just about to retire and had been working extremely hard to prepare his workshop and finish all of the house projects. He had lost his extensive collection of tools, and nearly all of his photographs.
In the following weeks he had some good fortune and managed to retrieve his saved photographic files on his computer hard drive. He was particularly fortunate because the fire had seriously damaged the study and destroyed all of his back-up drives. It was a happy day when on newly bought computers he could save some of these files and have his photographs reprinted.
In the days following the fire good people overwhelmed us with their generosity and gave us the support and encouragement to start again.
We have rebuilt our garage and have begun gathering together tools to help us begin again. Werner has reprinted most of his photographs, and we both have begun on a new series of work inspired by the devastation and regeneration of both nature and humankind.
Our artistic journey continues and has in some ways been strengthened by the Black Saturday Fires. We were determined to carry on and exhibited in Art Melbourne in April. I have completed my first painting after the fires called ‘Ashes to Ashes’, and I have just begun another painting.
Werner and I are only a small part of the whole of Victoria affected by the Black Saturday Fires. We all felt under siege and suffered stresses and hardships, each to their own circumstances. What was also shared was the bonding of that terrible summer and the soul searching caused by the events of that day. Out of the darkness of the fires came the great spirit of the community and our country to help and heal each other.
The Black Saturday Fires were life changing events and Werner and I feel incredibly lucky and will never forget all the support and kindnesses, and will carry all of these incredible and touching experiences into our future.
Ursula Theinert 2009
Here is one of Ursula’s works, post Black Saturday called “Ashes to Ashes”.
Thanks Ursula, for the graphic account of a day many of us will struggle to forget, Steve Gray.
empty shop - space - gallery!
This is an interesting Visual Arts initiative… well worth a look
Great for places wanting to cut through the recession relics (empty shops!) and add cultural depth to the community.
New Art Space
Michael Despott has run and managed a previous art-space and numerous other art related projects. His Latest project in Launceston Tasmania will provide artist in residency spaces.He is interested in shaping the facility around the needs of others and their input, etc.
In a nutshell, it will be like a little home away from home for artists, somewhat of a little sanctuary, where Artists can hang out, make create and exchange ideas… emphasis on a working space though, mentoring, and producing work… Awaiting photo’s etc to explore the space and the concept a bit more.
We wish him well, for info on residencies etc, contact Michael on michaeldespott - at - hotmail.com
Exhibition news
Hi all,
A big thank you to everyone who came down to my recent exhibition at Breathing Colours Gallery in Sydney. We got some press coverage in the Sydney Morning Herald which was an unexpected surprise!
If you missed the show, I’ve updated my website with all my recent paintings & a pic of the gallery: www.guyporter.org
There is also a new painting of a very special Australian cow on the home page (completed just after the show - she didn’t quite make it in time!).
Enjoy!
-Guy
Now it’s Dooney TV…
Self promotion? Yep, Hazels got something going on…