Fantastic and Informative Fleurieu art

The Fleurieu Biennale exhibit in the Strathalbyn Town Hall is worth more than a quick glance. The work displayed there is exquisite and evocative, really challenging the emotions that connect us to this part of the State.  

I loved everything, but Janet Ayliffe's intricate work, full of hidden messages and surprise, Margie Sheppard's fun but disturbing slow dive, Deborah Sleeman's hard-wearing, amazon metal dresses,  Jenny Clapson's ghostly kangaroos and Muriel VanDerByl Am's Ibis on silk were simply stunning.

Jane Hylton took a group of us around the exhibit last Saturday, drawing on her own connection with the land, and especially the Lower Murray wetlands and Coorong, to give us a personal view of the artwork.  In her own work she showed us how the disappearing lakes have threatened fresh water mussels.  Of others, she illustrated how many of the artists captured the feeling for the unique landscape and its dependence on water.  

The Ngarringdjeri cultural weavers showed immense talent in their traditional weaving of grass baskets and feather flowers, which captured the immense value of tradition associated with this disappearing landscape.  Curator David Dridan OAM should be congratulated as curator for this exhibition (7-30 November 2008).  It shows incredible talent, thoughtful presentation and countless hours of preparation and hard work.  

Will Barack Obama influence art?

There isn't a picture this time, as I don't think anyone is unaware of Barack Obama's features and I think it unnecessary to source a photo of him. My question is, what kind of pictures do you think the President of the United States might like to have hanging in his livingroom? Do you think it (the art) would change anyone's opinion of either the man or the art? People have a profound effect on the opinions of others, especially in the art world. Would you be influenced by the art collections of someone who you look up to? Do you form opinions based on their choices?

Amazing Tree in South Africa

My husband, Rod, sent me this amazing picture. Look very carefully at the bark and you should see many beautifully carved animals.

SALA article - Bigger isn't always better

Did anyone read the August 23rd article by Margot Osborne in the Advertiser Review about SALA?  She is of the opinion that the SALA festival has become less valuable with the absence of a selection process, with the key question being: "Does this (increasingly large) size benefit the artists and audiences?  Or does it actually act as an impediment to making a connection between the best art and its potential public?"

I am interested in this viewpoint, especially as it seemed to be more from a city perspective.  Much of the art I saw in the Adelaide Hills was of very high quality and I am wondering whether anyone else shares my opinion.  Also, if there were to be a selection process, who would be the judge(s) and on what criteria?

Can a giant plastic leech be art?

Just thinking back to the Fringe in Macclesfield where I helped build a giant inflatable leech for the school children to parade at the Summer of Love music festival. The fringe mascot was the brainstorm of Graham Thomas and designed and created by Tony Hannon. Here is the image. Hope you like it and think about building something big yourselves. All made out of builder's plastic, packing tape and spay paint.

The question is: "is it art"? It is certainly big. Big is interesting and often the form of sculpture and area icons, such as the giant rocking horse. But is it art just because it is big, or is it the representation that creates the art, the feeling of leechiness, if you will, or what a giant leech does to one's imagination. Is art a process of mind altering; of the creation of momentary lapses with the present into the surreal? Ponder on. You may be creating art just by thinking about it!

Janet Campbell

I've been looking at websites for artists in the Hills. Ron Francis' site featuring Trompe d'oeils is fantastic and worth looking at. Just Google his name or go to www.adam.com.au/ronfrancis
or go through his gallery: Scott Livesey Art Dealer
909A High St.
Armadale, Victoria, Australia.
E-mail: info@scottliveseygalleries.com
Web: http://www.scottliveseygalleries.com/
Phone:
61 3 98247770 (international)
03 98247770 (within Australia)

sala event notables

My friend Lorna and I have been wandering around the Adelaide Hills lately, looking at art in our local sala event, and have been very much impressed by some of the artists in the Hills. I even bought my very first Australian painting named "Tolkien Nights" by Cheryl White from Willunga.

We went to Palmer and, after a bit of a search, found a remarkable display of sculpture situate in the landscape. The climb and hike were surprising, as was the long-drop toilet we had to negotiate in the dark shed, but with a bit of time, and far less hail and rain, we would've had a great time. The artwork was fantastic and I'd love to go back and get a better look at everything, especially with a map and named works. Greg Johns, Ian Hamilton, Gavin Malone, Deb Sleeman, Evette Sunset, David Kerr and Ted Jonsson were all named in the brochure, but we're pretty sure Tis Milner and Peter Maddox were also showing there. Does anyone out there know for sure?

Peter Maddox was also showing his and his daughter Georgie's art, along with others, at Bella Cosa in McLaren Flat.

We were impressed by many other artists, including Brian Dobson's watercolour landscapes, Mary Pulford's "Mouse Tales" and "Big A Little A", Susan Clarkson's frog books, Kit Stenecker's Wired works in Aldinga Beach, Jacinta Smart's paintings of leaves, all the artists showing at the Howard's winery in Nairne (Alison Brown, Jen Penglase-Prior, Joanne Freebain, Coral Dare and Julia Wakefield). and in the Waverley Homestead, Jane Burbidge, Celeine Donegan and Jenny Pedlar.

We saw many more artworks, but couldn't see everything! I'd love to hear your comments about the sala artists you enjoyed most, so that I can look out for their work next year.

Janet Campbell