Underworld Interior

I posted my two works that are off to New Mexico last week.   The works will be exhibited in the Unsettled Gallery late  in August.  Two other works of mine will be shown at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) at the same time.  There are 12 artists taking part in this year's exchange exhibition. You can read more about the exhibitions  if you click the following link:

WBHD

I am still producing a lot of digital prints and I will probably plan a Brisbane exhibition for the best of them.    I have just become a member of the Queensland Centre for Photography (QCP).  That will be interesting.  I am keen to go to the first meeting which, will be in August.

The members  apparently give each other a lot of support, and importantly they offer critiques, which is very helpful.

Attached is another of my new works.  The series I have been working on utilises photographs I took of Adam Anderson a couple of years ago.  Working on the photos once converted to black and white has been really exciting for me. I am learning a lot about Photoshop Elements on the way also. Let me know what you think of it!!!  I call the piece 'Underworld Interior'.  It is almost finished.  I hope Adam likes it!

Talk Art soon!
c x

Eden's Garden

'Eden's Garden'

This is another of the 'Tripix' digital images that I have been producing.  It features Eden...my Grandaughter and Adam Anderson, fellow artist.

I feel I am finally making a transition to Apple products.  It has taken quite a while!   One thing is for sure and that is that Apple's Retina screen is beautiful!

I have rolled my paintings for the exchange exhibition in New Mexico, into a 90 cm pvc pipe and will send it next week.  Once it arrives at Las Cruces the works will have to be framed. It's getting exciting now.  cx

My Water Falls Installation.

My installation, ‘Water Falls’ opened last Friday night.  There were many young faces in the  crowd…Joe, Tyla, Sam.  It was great to  catch up with them.  In the two years since they left Bundaberg they have each matured in so many ways…both in their  creative pursuits  and also in their personal development.  It is just wonderful  to witness that.   Thankyou Staff of Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, (especially Trudie), for your assistance.    And thankyou all for kind words.  A special thank you to Joe for your fabulous songs.

My installation 'Water Falls' is made of 12 or so bridal veils.

I like to collect the veils as they are beautiful and have an air of mystery about them. They also carry with them a sense of innocence, promise and good fortune.  But veils hide, as well as reveal.

Veils have a gentle and elegant aspect. Their fall to the ground mimics a real waterfall.

This is why I was interested to create the 'Water Falls' installation.

Although inspired by the recent floods in Bundaberg, it explores the more gentle, forgiving and nurturing aspects of water.

Latest artworks

My digital photo collages are coming along quite well.  They feature photographs of some of my friends, who have kindly posed for me.

I am structuring the works as triptychs with three separate parts.  I am using Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 to manipulate the images. I don't often use filters, but have found them useful in this series.

I am using my small Wacom tablet...trying to get used to it.

 

'Rehearsal'

Venus emerging

Venus emerging is my latest work and is indicative of the direction I want to move in this year.  It is a photo collage featuring fellow artist, the very talented Adam Anderson, who kindly posed for me.  Also featuring are Alex and Ambre whom I wrote about in my previous post.  I am very grateful to these wonderful people who have allowed me to take numerous photographs and develop an album of wonderful resources.

Botticelli's Birth of Venus is one of my favourite works of art and I have used it often to create interpretations that teach me something about the structure of  such a powerful  work.  As a self taught artist, this methodology  has been invaluable.

'Venus emerging' is a photo collage manipulated in Photoshop Elements.

Alex & Ambre

I was interviewed some months back by a couple of lovely French girls who were travelling around Australia filming a documentary as they went. Ambre and Alex are part of a group of four. Together they are making a film about Australian women. It will be most interesting.

While they were with me, we had a photo shoot of Alex and Ambre dressed up as brides. I was really happy with some of the shots. This one will form part of a larger work eventually.

Flamingos

It was very  disappointing to learn that the booth artist Marlies designed  for Nightingale's pies was vandalised in the first week of its installation.  All the heads were snapped off the flamingos.

Fortunately the flamingo heads were able to be saved and were reattached immediately.

Place Activation Project Opening

It was a beautiful Queensland evening for the walking tour of the North Bundaberg businesses that have been sponsored by Creative Regions with an RADF (Regional Arts Development Fund) grant.  Several artists were engaged to develop  outdoor seating options that might encourage people to come to North Bundaberg to try the various restaurants and bakeries.

All the projects were done on a very tight budget and they are a credit to all involved.  Below; Artist Jennifer McDuff paints the large tubs that will be planted with lemon trees.  Each tub has been placed in a corner of the chess board, which is made of pavers.

A few nights after the opening, my friend, Brad Marsellos came down to Bella Martino's to check out the chess board.  I had designed the chess pieces and Jennifer had designed all the trimmings, that made the project even more special.

Two young guys had a complex game going, which was exciting.  There was a beautiful full moon that evening.

I will post pictures of the other projects later this week.  C x

  

Wide Bay High Desert 2

At last the contracts for WBHD 2 have been signed so it is 'all systems go!'   This year I will

Special

Some artworks are special...such as this one.

More good news!

A most  exciting email arrived from Trudie Leigo, Exhibitions Officer at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG).   I have been invited to participate in Wide Bay High Desert 11!   I feel very privileged to be included for the second time.  I got so much out of WBHD 1... Meeting the New Mexico artists and getting to know them through the blog  was quite a wonderful experience .
We certainly produced a lot of quality work for the two exchange exhibitions that were held at the end of the year.  One exhibition in Childers Art  Gallery and one at the Unsettled, Gallery in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

I will be doing some paintings for this year's WBHD11!  I have a few good ideas up my sleeve.  You can read more about WBHD if you use the 'Search' feature.  Attached is one of the works I produced  for WBHD1.  The final print had a few additions.

Place Activation Update

The Place Activation  Project I mentioned a while back is progressing quite nicely now.  Tomas O'Malley (Architect and project mentor), has kept us all on a good path.

We have booths and outdoor seating, decorative panels and a large chess set under way, amongst other things.  I don't want to give away too much at this time!!

We are all hoping that the various small businesses that have been targeted for this project will benefit from our efforts to enliven their surrounds.

I will be posting some photos here soon, when I have solved the problem I have been having, trying to upload files.     C. X

MONA

After Xmas spent with relatives in Melbourne, I travelled to Hobart to visit David Walsh's MONA...the Museum of Old and New Art.

The huge ferry that takes us up the Derwent River to MONA is boldly painted in grey camouflage, mimicking  the dull sky above. It is one of those typical Tassie freezing summer days.  The wind is ferocious.

A short 20 minute ferry ride later and we arrive at our destination.  My iPad says the location is Berriedale. The ferry deposits it's travellers at the base of a 99 step concrete staircase.

Once surmounted, one enters the museum... a dark and mysterious environment.  It's what I think it must feel like to be entombed inside a pyramid.

One wanders around though, with a smart gadget that serves up information about the artworks housed there,  and it also provides some curious statements  from David Walsh.

There are a multitude of guides, to assist us on our journey,  but for the most part, they stand as if frozen, staring blankly.  When one interrupts them, they become instantly activated.  They are guardians of the treasured artworks/relics...which they tell us 'must not be touched.'

Place Activation Project

CreativeRegions have developed quite a few Place Activation projects in Bundaberg since the floods. I will be involved with the latest one.

The project is about targeting some of the ‘tired’ business areas, particularly in North Bundaberg and revamping them into vibrant, livable spaces.

Bundaberg City Council has approved to have the North Bundaberg CBD area a trial street-side dining zone for 3 months.

Project mentor is the very talented architect Tomas O’Malley.

Place activation artists are Jennifer McDuff, Marlies Oakley and myself. 

                                                                                         

This project has a very small materials and trade budget, so a challenge has been set for us to come up with some stunning and innovative ideas, within that budget.

Folio Art Market

The Folio Art Market went down well again at  Dirty Linen.  Fifty artworks were sold, which is a respectable  amount. The market provides a great time for artists to catch up on all the latest news.

Soul Journey Art Gala

There was a great roll up to Dirty Linen Artspace for Jassy Watson's 'Soul Journey Art Gala'.  The exhibition was primarily of the artworks of Jassy's students.  There were many lively and colourful works full of meaning.   The gallery was set up beautifully.

Jassy followed up with a workshop that introduced her methodology.  Everyone went home with a big smile on their face. ..and a finished canvas under their arm.  Attached is a picture of Jassy setting up last Friday's exhibition.

You can contact Jassy about her classes, and her guided art classes at

www.goddessesgardenandstudio.com

goddessesgardenandstudio@gmail.com


Cx

Somebody asked me the other day...

...what I had been up to. And I couldn't remember for a while because I am busy planning my future escapades. But it's coming back to me now....not in any particular order!!

Enter two local art awards...no prizes.
Enter a National photo award....expecting 'no prizes'
Enter Woodgate Arts in Spring....Sold one framed drawing.

Three photoshoots....one being of the beautiful Roana from BRAG.

Interview with two French documentary film makers. (More on this soon.)

Conducted a digital workshop for the BRIDGES lovely people. Helped hang and take down their 'Express Yourself' exhibition.

Attend opening of 'Living Change' touring show that I am part of after winning the Digital Art Award (that I blogged about last year.) Messed up the last line of my poem after my floor talk!

Delivered a carload of biscuit tins to BRAG for their wonderful 'Collectamania' exhibition. And pick up.

Didn't mess up my ABC interview with David Dowsett!

Packed and took over 1000 biscuit tins to install as a 5m sq 'Lifescape'on the floor of Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough.(Couldn't have done that without Susan and Peter Hutton).

Prepare application for WBHD 2

Received the wonderful news from the State Library of Qld, that my 'Christine Turner's Art Blog' has been selected for inclusion in the PANDORA archive, Australia's web archive...allowing public access in perpetuity.

Assist in setting up opening of 'Soul Journey Art Gala' at my Dirty Linen Artspace. Press releases etc.

Prepare for upcoming Folio Art Market at Dirty Linen in a couple of weeks.

Meet with Creative Regions tomorrow for a significant Place Activation project I have been chosen to take part in.

Finish my large graphite work, one good large acrylic figure study, several digital images and commence a video for a possible projection in December.

And that is only October and November, and is  all I can remember. No wonder people say, 'Oh, we haven't seen you in a while.' cx

Living Change Exhibition

Today I headed down to Childers for the opening of Flying Arts Qld Regional Art Awards 'Living Change' exhibition.

Last year I had been fortunate enough to win the Digital Art Award with my work called 'Immersed'.

There was a small but enthusiastic group there for the opening and a delicious morning tea was served.

I was able to tell the group about my award which was a two week fully paid residency at The Edge in Brisbane.  Click here to read more about The Edge.

It was great to see all the selected works from that competition in the flesh.  There is a lot of good art coming out of Regional Queensland.

I gave Flying Arts a bit of publicity, as I had been a rep for them in the early years of my art practice and they are a brilliant organisation supporting regional artists in many ways.

Below is my work 'Immersed'.  It is a photograph of a woman merged with a photograph taken from a plane over the port areas.  That day it was easy to see that the rivers were full of silt washed down by the floods.  The aerial photo I took captured the sparkling rivulets that wound their way around the landscape, and it was a very beautiful sight.  But in the making of the artwork, the piece became more sombre.  cx

Lifescape photographs

Attached are some photographs taken by Trevor Spohr for me today, as I took down the wrong lens on Friday.   Trevor had to climb a very tall ladder to get these high shots.  Thanks Trevor for the great pics!

Lifescape  5sqm and over 1000 tins. A work by Christine Turner

Lifescape setup at Gatakers Artspace

My friend, Susan Hutton and I setting up my Lifescape installation.  It took us about 4 hours to complete.  I will be taking photographs on Friday....the day of the opening.  Hope you can come.  cx

Lifescape

I have  over 1000 biscuit tins in about 30 cartons.  All ready for loading onto my friend Susan's trailer and ute next Monday.   We are on our way to Gatakers Artspace where I will create a floor installation....5sqm of biscuit tins!   I call the work 'Lifescape'.  I will try to record a stop motion video of the setting up process also.  

Roana

Roana O'Neill is the Programs Officer/Team leader for Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) and Childers Art Gallery (Charts).   I was delighted when she agreed to pose for me so that I could take a series of photographs with which I could develop some digital works. The digital prints below are the result of layering over a photo of the model with a photograph of the lid of a biscuit tin.  cx

Still drawing

The full sheet drawing is finished now.  Titled 'Stairway to Heaven'.  It has taken many long hours to complete.   I was inspired by the work of Mark Ryden.

Collectamania

I have still been doing lots of drawing.  The full sheet of watercolour paper has been particularly  taxing.    Drawing will have to give way though over the next few months, as I have  three installations coming up.   First is Collectamania at BRAG opening next week. I will be showing Totem Poles - stacks of biscuit tins.

This will be followed by a large installation at Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough.  Showing five square metres of biscuit tins forming a large square on the floor.  My  'Lifescape' or 'Reliquarium'.

Then next year I hope to show in the Vault at BRAG, a waterfall made of wedding veils.

So, busy times ahead! C x

Drawings

I have been working on a project for the Bundaberg Museum, which has been an interesting experience. It hasn't allowed me much spare time, however I have been drawing and really enjoying it.

After Ryden

I have been looking at the work of Mark Ryden for inspiration.  I am drawn to the mysterious and compelling images he develops both in drawing and painting.

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'.

Ryden

I don't know how I have taken so long to stumble over the work of Mark Ryden. His brilliant paintings with their bizarre scenarios, I find intriguing!  I bought his huge  book PINXIT when I was in Brisbane recently.  I have been making drawings of some of his paintings.  See below.

 

 

 

Sunken Houses

Brad Marsellos, Producer for ABC Open Wide Bay, is the initiator and photographer of the 'Sunken Houses' exhibition currently showing at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery. Marsellos, invited sound artist and Aria winner, Austrian composer Heinz Reigler, to write a soundtrack specifically for the exhibition.

On entering the gallery, I was overwhelmed by the dark elegance of the exhibition with its hauntingly evocative soundscape.  

Twenty five large photographic prints are on display, each print mounted into a matching black frame and matt board without glass.

Low lighting is applied to the gallery walls with each print bathed in a soft ethereal circle of light. The mood created is one of refinement.

This show makes the BRAG main gallery look the very best I have ever seen it.

The Sunken Houses exhibition was created by Marsellos in response to the record breaking January 2013 Bundaberg floods. It is a personal and historical record of the aftermath of the disaster as Marsellos experienced it.

As one who lived through this disaster and had been active in the cleanup stages, I was moved to tears by the sad reminders of such difficult times, as were many others who have attended the exhibition. The soundtrack, at times beautifully melancholic, at other times... uplifting, took me on an emotional journey.

A huge print of one of the sunken houses covers a large wall near the entry, evoking awe in the viewer.  The image of a house sinking threatens our sense of the home as a safe haven.  This feeling is reiterated throughout the exhibition.

Another print entitled 'Signs are hard to see', depicts an empty block of land with a pair of old concrete driveway tracks, that lead to the house that is no longer there.

These are powerful images by Brad Marsellos... a very accomplished photographer.

The opening saw a record breaking crowd of 260 people attending the exhibition.  More attendance records have been broken daily as people continue to come, and in many cases return to see this very moving show.

Sound artist, Heinz Riegler performed his soundtrack live at the opening, to a most appreciative audience. His outstanding contribution to this project has been greatly appreciated for its sensitivity and appropriateness.

This is a very   special exhibition, and I recommend that you go and see it before it closes on the 27th of April.

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.

Oaks Beach Installation

I was up early as I had an art installation to do at Oaks Beach.  Shelley Pisani, of Creative Regions had mentioned the opportunity when I caught up with her recently.  I wanted  to take part in the project by Creative Regions that would be my contribution to their mission to reactivate spaces affected by the recent tornados and floods.

I have a collection of 210 plastic bbq paper plate holders, shaped like fish.

I wanted to install them on the beach to draw attention to the problem of water pollution

'My reason for showing the plastic fish at the beach was to suggest in an artistic way my own concerns about water pollution. Fish and other marine creatures are ingesting plastics and this can lead to them feeling full, when they are actually starving. Hard plastics can rupture their internal organs. And , of course there are so many other awful hazards such as brutal entanglements. One has only to read about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to be quite horrified about the global threat to sea creatures from water pollution. Of course we have our share of local nightmares too. I suggest, artistically that the fish are coming to the land to escape from the water that has become so toxic. The fish are becoming plastic'.

I had a wonderful band of helpers and many photographers too, including Brad Marsellos from ABC Wide Bay.     

David Quarrell flew a drone over the installation, and I am really looking forward to seeing the video pictures that it took.

Keith Stewart made a great video of behind the scenes activity.  So much equipment there.

Thanks to all the wonderful helpers and also to Pamela Fisher, who is a tireless worker.