Catching up

Family commitments have kept me busy this month,so it's time to catch up a little.  I went to BRAG last week to help take down his 'Sunken Houses' exhibition.  This amazing  exhibition has broken all BRAG's attendance records for the opening and for the days that followed.

Amongst others' I will be writing to Council to suggest that these photographs go into the Collection.  They are such an important historical and personal record for the people of Bundaberg.

Congratulations to Brad and Heinz for creating an outstanding exhibition.

I have been filling in the gaps of my very heavy schedule with drawings for the upcoming Folio Art Market I am holding here this Saturday.  Over 15 artists will be showing their works from their art folios.  The artists will be on hand to discuss their works with the buyers.

It should be a fun day also for artists to get together.  cx

"After Ryden'.

Bundaberg East Rotary

Rotary groups worldwide have a mission to eradicate polio across the globe.  They wanted their message projected onto the East water tower.  Here area couple of pictures of that event.  Thanks to Dream Team partner Brad Marsellos, and Lyn and Bhavana from Bundaberg East Rotary, and Mal Brown.

Bundaberg Centenary celebrations

Saturday night will be a momentous occasion for me, as I will be presenting  Projections of the Past: a selection of historical photographs from the Library  archives.

These images will be projected onto the side of the Civic Centre, which coincidentally was the site for the first projection Brad and I did two or three years ago.

I have been having problems again with the video hanging soon after it starts... and I get a black screen. .  I think it's because my Apple, and Adobe Photoshop gear doesn't want to mix with Windows Movie Maker.  However, I seem to have converted the file to a Quicktime movie and things are going along nicely at present.

It would be more sensible for me to stick with one editing program, but each of the three programs I use have their own unique features.  I use Windows Movie Maker for very simple videos, Adobe Premiere and Movie Plus6 .  Of the three I find MoviePlus 6 the most user-friendly, and it has more features.

Tomorrow I just have to join a few film clips together and I will be ready for  the showing.

I am hiring a larger projector for this occasion. 5500lumens will be better than the 3500 lumens of my projector.

I'm happy that Brad is on deck for this presentation.  He is very resourceful and will be an asset, should there be any dramas....and of course he is funny, and  a good friend.

There is the possibility of rain on Saturday evening, in which case, we will move into the Civic Centre.  The show must go on!!! I hope you can be there.  cx

Attached is a picture  of one of Bundaberg's beautiful old buildings, that has been converted to a backpackers facility.

Bunderground

'Bunderground' happened last night! 

Bunderground was an event incorporating art, music and video...the brainchild of Brad Marsellos.  The project was immediately embraced by Jess Marsellos and me, and was developed to show at my  Dirty Linen Artspace.

Bunderground had 3 aspects...music, art and video. It showcased works by young, emerging musicians and filmmakers together with works of art and video by myself and several other senior artists and photographers.  (One musician came from as far away as New York!!.)

It was an exciting night of music, art, digital projections and an amazing short film by Joe Saxby and Tyler Sajko...young Bundaberg filmmakers.

The depth of talent  of Bundaberg's young emerging creatives is quite remarkable.

Can't wait for Bunderground 2!! Cx

 

Brain Drain - from New York, performed at Dirty Linen

Clinton's show

My friend Clinton Cross had another exhibition of small contemporary works on paper at my Dirty Linen Artspace.  He was quite successful once more but a bit short of  a sellout like his previous show.  There were some delightful small works and somehow a huge 6m x about 2m painting on paper by Jennifer McDuff slipped past the measuring stick. This of course pleased everybody, as Jennifer is one of our district's favourite artists.

All week I have been busy on the computer creating video files for projection for a special dinner coming up next month.  The venue has changed from the local Catholic  college to the H20 bar and restaurant on the Burnett River.  The videos relate to the small crops industry and so I started the week with  a trip to the markets to photograph the fruit and vegetables.

 

 I am combining these photos with some of the aerial shots I took a while back, and of course Brigid will star again. 

There is a big weekend coming up with Bundaground, curated by Brad Marsellos.  I might catch you up with that story tomorrow.  Till soon.  cx

Dirty Linen 2013

Dirty Linen Art Space

 

Hi all, Just letting you know that Dirty Linen will be open for the remainder of the year, but on a reduced scale due to commitments.
The gallery will open 10- 2pm, the first Sunday of each month unless otherwise advised.

There are three or four exhibitions coming up. You will be advised about them shortly.

... Please note that Brad Marsellos and Christine Turner will be presenting a video bombing on the facade of Gatakers Artspace this Saturday night, 23rd Feb.

This will be very exciting and will coincide with other presentations, music etc, all monies to benefit the flood appeal.

Great chance to see a variety of different performances, and an opportunity to see Jennifer Mc Duff's exhibition that is currently on show at Gatakers! cx

Art and Duck talk

I'm hoping to get this blog more focused on art again, as things seem to be settling down  a bit now across the flood ravaged areas.  Some people are returning to their homes in North Bundaberg now, which seemed to be one of the worst affected areas.. 

I just called by Phil and Marlies's art framing shop, and the tilers had about a quarter of the tiles down.  The shop is looking superb. New light grey paint, new tiles, new decorative windows, nice dark red accent.  The shop will be rearranged and ready for a fresh start.  Sounds like time for a party....almost - have to get all that art paper back to the shop, from Dirty Linen.    The papers and books and some other vulnerable materials had been transferred to DL for safe keeping and to prevent them getting contaminated with mould spores.

I am thinking we will have a party at DL this weekend coming as many artists and friends have indicated the desire to get together.  There are many issues to address and the need to de-brief after the storm , the  flood, the Bundaberg Bohemians show and so on.  We also need to discuss the future of Dirty Linen, which is in some doubt.

To lighten these more sombre issues, there is bound to be some light-hearted chat and even some concerns  about Brad Marsellos's plan to bring a 5 story yellow rubber duck from it's home in Sydney Harbour, to our Burnett River, to bring a smile to the faces of many and to put forward the notion that the river won't beat us...which is a fact!! 

Go to the following link for Duck information.  Small rubber ducks are appearing all over town.  See if you can spot one. I saw two today!


https://www.facebook.com/#!/BringTheDuckToBundy?fref=ts

 

 

 

Give the duck a go!...and talk art soon!   c x

Bombing Sam

Brad and I had another productive night video bombing with pictures of our young friend Sam. She is off  to art college next year and she is sure to do very well. She is already a brilliant photographer and has been making interesting videos as well.  She made a very beautiful model for our video bombing.




We watched Sam's video under a nearly full moon.  What a treat!

Talk art soon!

Video Venus

 

This clip - 'Blue Venus'- has been a collaboration between myself  (art and animation),   Joe Saxby (music) and Brad Marsellos (music & editing).  Brad has taken two of my animatioms and 'mashed' them, as he calls it!!   This has resulted in a  much more interesting piece.  Video is becoming an important part of my art practice.  There is so much to learn.





'

Bad Dream is  Dead' is another of our first collaborations.

Artwork & animation :  Christine Turner
Music & vocals : Brad Marsellos
Editing : Brad Marsellos

Zombie Walk

This is a picture of Brad Marsellos and me dressed up for the Bundaberg Crush Festival  inaugural Zombie Walk.  It was great fun! About 100 zombies turned out in some very imaginative costumes.   The Walk promises to be  even bigger next year.

Stream

As part of Bundaberg's Crush Festival, Brad Marsellos (Producer  ABC  Open Wide Bay) and I were invited to show some of our experimental videos.   Brad did all of the work really as I was tied up with the exhibition in Sydney.

We showed about an hour of videos, half of which were by young students from local schools.

I was so impressed by the videos  the students had produced.  Their works were sometimes witty, always insightful.  Each video had a message.  All in all, it was just so impressive.

Brad had developed  sound tracks provided by Joe Saxby (student, musician extraordinare) and another friend, to fit together with some video images I had  produced. The results are fantastic and the works have been a brilliant collaboration for all of  us.

Thanks Brad, Joe, James,Tyler,  Sam and  Julia. You people have a great future ahead of you.

cx

Brad wins a Clarion Award

http://clarions.org/awards/

Check out that link to the Clarion Awards.   Brad Marsellos has won a Clarion Award for online journalism!     

Congatulations Brad!   So well deserved!!!

Brad and Jess get married

Saturday last  was Brad and Jess's wedding day.  Friends from far and near gathered uptown to catch one of two huge buses that transported over 100  family  members and well-wishers to the beautiful Waterloo Hall. 

Brad and Jess fell in love with hall earlier in the year...on Good Friday.  ( You can see that post by following this link.)  At that time, I had travelled with Brad and Jess and Darling the dog to join the Waterloo locals for a barbecue.  It turned out to be such a magical adventure.  It was then that Brad and Jess decided they would hold their wedding  at the hall.

 The huge bus rocked gently as we sailed along in anticipation of the upcoming event.  This was a smart looking group.  Very nicely dressed for the occasion.  Very friendly too.  

On and on we went for  a good half hour or so. We turned off  the main thoroughfare at a signpost  decorated with the carcases of three huge fish. Interesting I thought.   An  obscure custom perhaps?

On rocked the bus greedily devouring  the narrow gray road. Up steep hills we went till I felt we were sure to drop off the edge of the world, but having reached each peak, we roller coasted down the other side, elated at our survival. 

The scrappy bush finally opened up to the clearing upon which the Waterloo Hall stands. Many people had travelled independently and there was a lot of activity around the little hall.  A pavilion had popped up quite magically.  Braziers were on hand to provide both light  and warmth for the coming evening. Small children ran out to greet us.

Entering the hall, I marvelled at the transformation therein.  Jess had a vision for  this special place  and she  and her handful of helpers had delivered that vision in every detail.  The hall was enchanting!  Its empty tables covered in blue and white check tablecloths were adorned with  old bottles of various sizes that served as vases for the beautiful flowers they held.  Tables  were set with an enormous variety of cakes and treats.  There were dozens of jars of chutneys and pickles that would be gifts given to  the well wishers when the evening came to an end.   Old doilies adorned some of the walls, creating a feeling of nostalgia. 

This beautiful old timber hall reeks of history,  It is as ever, presided over by the  framed portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth, whose dignified demeanour never fail to impress the viewer.

The rafters were dripping with sparkling fairy lights.  The old hall dressed up to the nines! Her windows flung full open, allowed glimpses, small snapshots of the dusty landscape that was sparsely  inhabited by the ubiquitous tall gums.

 The stage where the band would play was generously hung with white paper lanterns of various sizes.  Our favourite band 'Tabletop Lamps' would play later that evening.

All present soon gathered to an area  away from the back of the building where  Brad had fashioned a rustic aisle of  tree branches. To each side people sat on old  timber benches. There was a hum  of nervous excitement.  The groom awaited his bride.

The car  arrived and one after another gorgeous creatures emerged.  Flower girl - one.  Flower girl - now two.  Add a bridesmaid.....then another.  A proud father and finally Jess.    Herself beautifully transformed into a bride, uniquely dressed in a charming ivory gown she had designed.  She was stunning!

Brad  was waiting with his best men, the celebrant and Darling the dog. Brad's smile 'said it all'.

 Darling made an attempt to steal the show, greeting Jess enthusiastically.

A moving ceremony ensued.  Vows and shiny rings exchanged. Papers signed and held out as proof!.  Smiles everywhere.  Some tears.   The flower girls tipped up their baskets of a few remaining petals and ran off to play. 

Brad and Jess and the photographer wandered off for their photo shoot. The rest of us retired to the hall for the evenings feast and festivities.  The champagne flowed and the sumptuous feast was delivered followed by a series  of speeches, which elucidated some aspects of the wedding couple that we had not been aware of!!  Lots of funny stories. Laughter and tears.

Then the band started up and the fun and dancing began.

I was so pleased to be able to share this experience with Brad and Jess their family and friends.
I wish them every happiness. cx

Sneak preview

The 'people are people'  and 'Suburban Insomniac' exhibitions  are set up and ready for  a grand opening this Friday  5-8pm, at the Dirty Linen Art Space.


I love to see the gallery full  of new and interesting work.  Artists give so much of  themselves....It is good to get together to have a party for them.  To show support and encouragement.

I am posting a sneak preview of some of the works.   There's much more to see...and the fabulous Tabletop Lamps will be playing.

Painting and drawings by Adam Anderson, instagrams by Petrina McDonald, photographs by Brad Marsellos. Don't miss out on seeing this one night only show!

c x

Capturing Coonar

I was really excited to be on the road to Coonar with Brad and Jess and Darling the dog. The road to Coonar cuts through a kaleidoscope of landscapes from newly planted lines of rich brown earth, to abundant ordered  fields of small crops...tomatoes and capsicums...and lavish crops of  sugar cane that seem to encompass everything.   This years cane crop looks perfect...dense, lush and velvet green on top, shimmering gently in the comforting breeze.

On we went through an  avenue of tall majestic pines that guided us  down into a dark wetland which we crossed via a narrow bridge. The wetlands were filled to overflowing from recent rain. Gushing from beneath the bridge ...a small waterfall  reinvigorated the dark and silent, mysterious wetland, feeding it with new life, like a mother feeds a child.

Crunching gravel roads led us onwards towards signs of habitation.   We had arrived at Coonar Beach.

The beach is dotted with a small number of houses old and new, but there was no sign of life. The houses were locked up and unresponsive. Blank facades  hid secrets of the lives that must go on behind those walls...lives that were irrelevant to us today as we had come to the beach.

From the back of Brad's car we extracted, a dress shop mannequin torso, two mannequin legs, three parts of arms, a bag full of wedding veils and our photographic equipment. We were off on another adventure with a mission to 'capture Coonar' in a new way.

Darling loped  about joyfully, sniffing up all that is Coonar... and loving it.

Relentlessly waves rolled in across a large vista of empty beachscape, licking the littoral. Savouring its briney taste.

The big sky above bares down on the landscape compressing it into the thin dark line of the distance.

We head off towards those distant places, where the dead trees have fallen.

We pass a group of beautiful young people camped around a small fire.
"What are you doing?"  they called out having noticed the unusual props we carried.
"We are off to capture Coonar" we replied.
"Good luck!"

Finally at our destination Brad and I set out to take our photos.  Jess helped me with setting up for pictures with the  wedding veil and later set up the tree stump from which the arm emerges.

Brad, ever helpful, persists in his belief that if he remains patient with me, I will eventually master some understanding of photography basics.  He helps me with some suggestions.

And then, in his 'zone' he disappears into the landscape....where I know he will be capturing magic.

The  photographs we took speak for themselves.  The mannequin, Adele takes on a new role as Venus emerging.  She has lost the veil that hid her truth.

As we prepare to leave, the huge grey sky is graced with an enormous rainbow...then soon after, a double rainbow. 

It has been a truly wonderful afternoon.






Photo above:Turner


    Photo above: Marsellos

   Photo above: Turner

 Photo above: Marsellos

Photo above: Turner

Photo above: Marsellos

Painting with Light

Our indefatigable ABC Open Wide Bay Producer, Brad Marsellos has introduced us to another  interesting subject to extend our photography practices.   We have been learning how to  'paint with light'.

Bring together a group of people, each armed with their camera, tripod and a torch. Find a quiet park, on a dark night. Add to the mix our tutor Brad, and soon the fun begins

Cameras were fixed to tripods and were set to Manual. The cameras were also set for long exposures of 15 to 30 seconds. Flashes were turned off sometimes and on at other times.  Usually we stood behind our subjects, torches pointing towards the camera.  We would quickly paint the subject person with the illuminated torches, then run to the back of the camera to see what results we had.

There was great excitement  amongst the participants! We ended up with pictures of  angels and Jedi type warriors and all manner of things.  Some very interesting portraits were produced.

I went on to experimenting at home with mannequins in my studio. I hope you find the results interesting.  I have selected a couple of the best pictures to show you. If you want to see more, check out my Flickr site at:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/christine_a_turner/

Brad will be conducting another Light Painting Workshop soon, so join in by contacting him through the  link above.  Use that link also to find out about the Snapped:Light painting project that you can join in with if you want to.  The workshop and project are both free to participants!!

Till soon,

c x

Till soon c x

Joe Saxby aka 'These Guy'

Joe Saxby is a very talented young singer/songwriter living here in Bundaberg. At least till next year when he hopes to go to Brisbane to study music.

Brad Marsellos, Producer of ABC Open Wide Bay has made a fabulous video of Joe singing his new song...'Sunburnt'.

I was able to able to  assist in a very small way.   I really enjoyed seeing how Brad approached and developed the finished product.

Check out Joe's guest blog for ABC Open at the following link:   http://open.abc.net.au/openregions/qld-wide-bay-71AY7Fz/posts/my-name-is-joe-50ay2mb


And I will embed the video on this page.  It's a great song Joe!!   c x

Video bombing the Laundromat

I drove to Hervey Bay to set up my 'Citadels'.  The 'renew' exhibition looks great and I think that Gallery Director, Curator Marj Sullivan is pretty happy with the works that have come in.  I was going to take some pictures to post here, but  when I went to take a photo I got the message on my camera...'no memory card'!!!  So, I will have to be more careful next time.

However, I do have some new pictures to show you as Brad Marsellos and I went video bombing the Laundromat.  Some good results, but this session seemed to be all about learning... and there is so much to learn!! The following stills are by Brad and videos were from my files.   c x
My favourite artwork in 'renew' is a boat sculpture by Trevor Sphor. Very talented fellow!

Jiao

A large group of well-wishers joined Brad Marsellos last night to celebrate his birthday.  A 'welcome home' to Clinton Cross was also on the agenda as he had been away on an extended holiday, taking in Egypt, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

We dined out at the Blue Garden, a small chinese restaurant in the central business district of Bundaberg.

I was delighted to meet Jiao there.  She was one of my subjects in the 'Portrait of a Stranger' photographic  project that Brad had been running for ABC Open Wide Bay.
Jiao has been working partime as a waitress at the Blue Garden. She has been really improving her English since I saw her last. Apparently she has been attending a Tafe course of some kind.

Jiao Lee arrived in Australia in February 2011. She had come from Chang Chun, a densely populated city in North Eastern China.

Jiao came to Bundaberg to marry her Australian fiance. She has been helping him on his stall where he sells exotic fish at the Shalom markets.

She is an absolute delight. and has the most captivating smile.  I think I will have to do some more portraits of her.

Brad and Clinton's dinner was a huge success.  I was able to catch up with Petrina re progress with the art students up and coming stencil exhibition.  Apparently there is great excitement over North about this show, and all is going well there. 

The students are very lucky to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic art teacher as Petrina McDonald.  She's also lots of fun!

I am looking forward to meeting the year 10's other art teacher, Megan McFarlane in the near future.


Till soon!   c x

Good Friday at Waterloo,Qld

Brad and Jess (and Darling- the dog) took me on a trip out to Waterloo yesterday...a 30 minute drive from Bundaberg.  Deep into the dusty Aussie bush.

A narrow asphalt road wound its way through tall leggy gums that stood like a guard of honour right up to the edges of the road...packed in densely as if attempting to get a glimpse of the traveller. Sparse scraggly canopies of leaves leaned gently inwards above us, encompassing us in a protective gesture it seemed.  We must be going somewhere  very special I thought.


We soon arrived at the Waterloo Hall.  The hall has a great history behind it and a bevy of interested locals who endeavour to preserve the old  building  itself whilst also gathering as much of the history of the hall and local area as possible.

They gather at their beloved hall once a month to enjoy a barbecue and spend time with local friends. Their children can play in the old tennis court and run around the bush as long as they like.  The older children can go into the  hall and test themselves against their rivals on the old green velveted billiard table that is overseen by a formal portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth. It hangs on the corrugated iron wall nearby.

The sharp clicks of the connecting ceramic billiard balls echoed into the approaching night...mingling somehow with the delicious aroma that came from the barbecue and the  laughter and chatter that hung in the air.

There was much banter around the pool table and many apologies about one's less than perfect shots. Most were a little rusty it seems!

There was a magnificent full moon high above in the pale blue sky.  I tried to photograph it, but it eluded me somehow. Some obscure technical reason.  Dusk approached, so I got to the job of taking some photographs.



Night arrived heralded by the lighting of braziers, their flames licking about...painting living masks on the faces of those that stood around them staring dreamily.  Conversations ebbed and flowed.
Brad video bombed the side of the hall with old  pictures of some  long departed  relatives from the Waterloo area and some of the hall itself. The images were captivating.
A feast of a barbecue was served and before we knew it, it was time for us to leave.



Thankyou friends of Waterloo Hall.  You are an amazing bunch of people.  Motivated, proactive, interesting and friendly.  Thankyou for welcoming us and good luck for the future.  Waterloo Hall is in good hands!


   Brad and Jess

   Video bombing photos courtesy of Petrina McDonald.