It seems
that I haven't been home much lately. Most weeks I am working in the
north of the state working with students from the Tasmanian
Polytechnic or more recently, showing 3 designs as part of Interweave
Arts Streets Alive Remade Fashion Show. This latest experience
reinforced my commitment to supporting and promoting others, rather
than being in the spotlight myself. The catwalk experience was
terrifying.
I have
driven the Midland Highway thousands of times over the last 27 years
, so it is a familiar path; past the stumps that look like faces, the
trees that look like lollipops and the bits of road that are
nostalgic for one reason or another.
The turn
off to the East Coast always reminds me of summer holidays when mum
would pack us four kids and the dog in the Kingswood (an ex police
car) and we would drive for hours before reaching Scamander. Falling
out of the car in the dark we could smell the salty air and hear the
crashing waves of the nearby Beaumaris Beach.
But my
most recent trips have been less about nostalgia and more about the
opportunity to see some new art work and visit some of my favourite
op shops. Over the last few months I have been lucky enough to work
with some wonderful artists. Darryl Rogers is an installation artist,
who a few months ago had some work at Sawtooth Gallery. Darryl had
contacted me about me helping him get the installation in front of a
few people. It was a tight time frame and challenging task, as at the
same time Dark MOFO was about to kick off in the south of the state.
To be able to talk about the work, I knew that I had to see it and it
was certainly worth the trip. It is such an appreciated feeling when,
as an adult, we are surprised, delighted and left wondering; how does
that work? Darryl's work certainly does that. One of our
Writeresponse writers Patrick Sutczak wrote about the installation at
http://www.writeresponse.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/waterwalkers_15.html
and there are some images that are worth checking out at
http://vimeo.com/53998257
Since
seeing Darryl's work, I have met with Kitty Taylor, photographer,
artist and arts worker, to talk about her ideas for progressing her
practice and work in the arts. Kitty is one of a number of artists
being represented by Margot Baird at Gallery Pejean. Margot is a
gallery director who I am growing to respect enormously. Her approach
to her business and how she supports artists is commendable. When she
signs an artist they are only signed with her in Launceston; meaning
they can exhibit and sell work anywhere else in Tasmania or elsewhere
any time. All artists have a clear and fair contract which they sign
which spells out the requirements from the gallery and from the
artist. Margot is an artist, so perhaps because of this that she
understands the needs of the artist as well as the needs of making a
commercial gallery in Launceston financially viable. All you need do
is look at the website to see how she very professionally lists and
promotes each individual artist.
Fiona
Tabart is a long time friend and fantastic designer and artist based in Hobart who
has worked in many mediums. Fiona had a selection of works from an
exhibition that had previously been presented at Carnegie in Hobart.
It is not uncommon for works to be sitting idle post exhibitions and
when I met Margot from Pejean I knew instantly that she would like
Fiona's work. One of the main reasons I do this work is because many
artists do not have the confidence, time or skills to present and
talk about their work. For me this is a huge missed opportunity and
it's a simple case of connecting the amazing work that I see, with
the right person who can appreciate, buy or sell the work. So, on one
of my many travels to Launceston I introduced Fiona to Margot and
three works are now being exhibited in the gallery and they look
fantastic. Check out Gallery Pejean's website as
this is how artists should be promoted.
http://www.gallerypejean.com.au/Artists/FionaTabart/ViewArtwork.aspx
Tim Moss
and I caught up for a coffee last week. Tim is a Uni lecturer based
in Burnie and an avid photographer. His work has impressed me
enormously as he has the unique ability to tell a story and capture
an emotion/mood/essence. I'm not just saying this, he really is very
good. Tim and I are working on a solo exhibition of micro photographs
he has taken. They are sumptuous, erotic works that are paintily and
yummy. Tim has also been undertaking a massive project for the past
year called 365 Project. Every day for the past 355 days he has
captured a moment in his day. The project is great and the works are
superb. Check them out and follow the blog at
http://timothy-moss.com/2013/09/03/365-project-day-353/
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