Have a look at Ben turning up the heat ! .. BenBeames is the Manager/Curator of the Metal and Jewellery Collective, Hammer and Hand in Hobart, Tasmania,
And.. While you are at it .. Check out my son Josh’s current works for “DARK MOFO” in Tasmania… See a bit of ‘process’ creating his installation in the Brisbane Hotel..
And… just a little reminder about Hammer and Hand Byron Bay’s Exhibition Friday night 5.30pm till 8pm EXHIBIT A
Hammer and Hand Exhibition
Having fun making a rattly gearbox for a thing for “Exhibit A” exhibition opening night at Hammer and Hand Byron Bay…
..Friday 20th June ..5.30pm till 8pm.
gearing up
Come along if you can and enjoy the new creations from the Hammer Crew and get some Blues action for your ears with the “Moondogs Gypsy Blues Band”
I have been out and about a bit this year, me and Rosie,… Melbourne, Sydney , Central Victoria, NSW table lands and over the hills and far away, ….. Brisbane, Sydney again, Gold Coast .. all separate trips mostly .. It has been quite difficult to engage with an “arts practice” after each time away.. Returning from Central Vic and NSW, I was unwilling to translate visions ..(of self as ‘burning post in a burning landscape’ !) into jagged metal so I reverted to my comfort-zone and made a bit of ‘product’ …(Stainless pendants, kilt-pins and Cake slices etc for the shop here in Byron..).. However, a poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, ‘True Confessional” and some scrap blue painted steel from the trailer re-build, got me going again so there is a bit of ‘work in progress’ going on..
“I am my son, my mother, my father,
I am born of myself
my own flesh sucked
And someone squeezed my heart
to make me go
through my number
I was a wind-up toy
someone had dropped wound up
into a world already
running down”
From Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poem ‘True Confessional’
Naked running Blue Wizard. Mild steel from old trailer
…also… I have entered a piece in the “Border Art Prize” and am waiting to hear if it is accepted…. (!)
… Been mentoring a young bloke. Connor, through two weeks of “work experience” and was pleasantly surprised to find him so quick to learn and so skilled in his application. … not to mention how consistent his yawns !.. (this a youth thing ?).. he took to forging like cream to pudding and I managed to impart some burns and blisters and sore muscles.. well done Connor !
Connor Denney, work experience.
Dragged ‘kicking and screaming’ into a repaint by the Byron ‘Hammer’ Crew.. we are all well pleased with the resultant fresh new cleaned-up Studio/Gallery/Shop ! Ready for our up coming Exhibition “EXHIBIT A”, (check it out on Facebook), opening on Friday evening 20th June.
Okay ! ..back in da hood !!
Fuller Gallery Barraba NSW
Fuller Gallery
The Clay Pan Potters’ Studio Barraba NSW
“The Fuller Gallery” and “The Claypan”
where passionate artists are at work. Run by the Barraba Potters and Craft Guild these studio/galleries provide an opportunity for local artists to display their wares and share their skills and knowledge. We were lucky enough to meet Jennifer Farrar (“Spinning Jenny”) who teaches pottery at the Claypan. Jenny also dyes, weaves and spins wool and designs and knits beautiful garments which sell across Australia. if you wish to phone Jenny re her garments her number is 0267830129.
Jennifer demonstrating
Jenny at work
Jennifer Models one of her jackets and a tea cosy
The Fuller Gallery (named after the original owners of the building) houses a high quality, eclectic collection of local art in a beautiful space. Adjoining the main gallery is a space where local craft and art groups meet to work together and share conversation, cake and cups of tea. We met a delightful group of ladies, who were patch working, embroidering and knitting around the long communal table that runs down the centre of the room.
Ladies working at the Fuller Gallery
This is the start of the Frederick McCubbin copy in embroidered thread.
Beth Hagan
Beth Hagan gave me a bit of a history of the Clay Pan .. She told me that it all started with three women turning clay pots under a Pepper tree around 1942…using the Scout hall kitchen for cups of tea and firing their pots at the school.. Later, when the butcher in the main street moved , they secured old butcher shop for their collective . Over time , the building on the corner, two doors up the street was being considered for demolition when when a well known artist and a councillor saved the day…. this is now the work-room and part of the Fuller Gallery. the shop between was ocupied by a husband and wife and when the husband never returned from the war , his wife moved out and eventually that became what is now the Gallery showroom. I hope I have got this all right.. When we walked in off the street and introduced ourselves, (Rosie shoved me .. !) to the women there, I had the distinct feeling that their twinkling wise eyes were seeing right through me and I felt a little like a knobbly-kneed kid in shorts with frogs, string and marbles in my pockets…! (and I am just turned 63 !). They soon put me at my ease however and I proceeded to get a bit of an education… Nancy told me she never misses a weekly stitching group.. Travelling to there on her “Gofer” with her sewing machine tucked under her knees and the rest of her gear in the basket behind ! (No picture here, sadly of Nancy .. Hang on , perhaps the woman in red ?.. Please let me know some names here?.. The wonderful woman pictured here holding up the start of her embroidery is stitching a copy of Frederick McCubbin’s iconic triptych “The Pioneer” ! (Though why the title is singular…?, the painting depicts at least two pioneers and arguably three !)…
A magnificent Quilt !
Candlewick Bedspread !
Candlewick Bedspread
The Fuller Gallery 74 Queen Street Barraba NSW Australia.
Fuller Gallery Barraba
Bernice Carter
We travelled 30 km through the beautiful rural countryside – over ramps, through creeks, sharing the dusty roads with cattle and kangaroos to visit the home and studio of artist Bernice Hope Carter. Over tea, scones jam and cream, Bernice told us that she began painting and drawing as a child and of her love of sketching faces and scenery. Growing up on her parents’ remote property of “Bareen” she loved to paint rural scenes of her home environment as well as her impressions of the snowy, Rocky Mountain scenery of Canada. Bernice told us of how, at the age of 13, her mother told her about an ad she had read in the paper from a girl called Phyllis Marks from Canada, who was looking for a pen friend.This began a correspondence that continued for 73 years, until Phyllis’ passed away. Bernice told us of her excitement when her parents would take the family to Manly Sydney for an annual holiday. Her father would give her holiday spending money and she would go straight to Coopers Art Supplies to buy pencils, paints, paper and rubbers. Bernice had some formal art lessons at Calrossy Boarding School in Tamworth and then, many years later, in 1980, she studied under John Faulkner who taught art at TAFE in Barraba. Bernice received the TAFE prize for best artist that year. Mrs Carter likes to paint landscapes for preference and loves beautiful traditional art. She has sold a lot of paintings over the years. Several pieces of Bernice’s work from her private collection are featured in this blog. Bernice is also an enthusiastic gardener, accomplished poet, lifelong keeper of a diary and is writing a journal of her experiences, which will be published later in the year.
Happy to share her gift for and love of painting, Bernice has taught art to Barraba Senior Citizens for the last 22 years. Many of her students have won prizes for their work. Bernice places particular importance on perspective. Her favourite medium was originally oil, but she moved to acrylic 30 years ago. At the age of 88, Bernice drives into town to conduct her regular Monday morning art class in Barraba, after which the group convenes to the Barraba cafe for lunch and cappuccinos.
Bernice Carter played an integral role in “Frost Over Barraba” since its inception in 1974 – 40 years ago.
Now Bernice Carter is is really “Aunt Bernice” to Rosie/Sandra… and was the childhood and lifelong cherished friend of Cynthia Powys, Rosie’s late Mum… So Rosie (Sandra), and by default, myself, are always very warmly welcomed indeed in the home of Aunt Bernice and this time we brought along our ukuleles and prevailed upon the esteemed company to sing some old Elvis tunes and such with us … Well !!… What a Hoot we had ! and I can’t wait to get out there “over the hills and far away” again … to sit in that beautiful livingroom near the kitchen, looking at photos, listening to stories, tea scones an’ jam an’ cream up to our ears and singing our hearts out !
Bernice Carter with her painting “Snow Scene at Wongala Barraba 1”
” The Ballet Dancers” by Bernice Carter
“Snow Scene Wongala Barraba II” by Bernice Carter
“Sunlight Through Trees” by Bernice Carter.
Frost Over Barraba Arts Festival Program 2014
The festival began in 1974 when local Barraba artist Rupert Richardson and the Anglican clergyman Matthew Burrows were discussing ways to raise funds for the local Anglican Church St Laurence’s. They decided that an art exhibition in conjunction with the St Laurence’s Church stalls would be a good idea. The title was based on a popular British TV show of the time “Frost Over London” staring David Frost. “Frost Over Barraba” was an appropriate title as the festival was to be held mid winter, when there was the likelihood of snow and frost in Barraba. The format of the art exhibition in the Youth Centre and stalls on the lawn has stayed in place until the last couple of years. Community members have worked hard to make the festival the success that it is. A large proportion of the art entries are now on display in the Barraba RSL Memorial Hall. The St Laurence’s Family Fair of stalls selling crafts, cakes, produce, plants, morning teas and lunch and interesting secondhand goods will be set up in the church grounds with a “40th Frost Retrospective” in the Anglican Church Youth Centre. There will be an afternoon concert in the church.
Dates: Thursday 26 – Sunday 29th June 2014.
To see more information on “Frost Over Barraba” entries, exhibitions and an exciting array of workshops, you can visit the website:
Merlene’s Fine Fibres Studio. 84 Queen St, Barraba.
Our friend Rhonda Ellem in Armidale had recently visited Merlene’s studio and recommended that we do the same. Merlene, who has been spinning and dyeing, knitting and weaving for over 30 years, is passionate about her craft. The day of our visit, she was busy teaching one of her students how to spin.
Merlene accurately describes her shop as a “treasure trove of handspun yarns, jumpers, hats, rugs and shawls…featuring local and exotic fibres, Barraba’s very own wool, alpaca, cashmere, mohair and llama…hand dyed in vibrant colours from local forest plants and natural dyes.” for further information about opening times, please phone Merlene on 0267821838
Merlene and a student
Interior Merlene’s studio/shop
Homespun natural dyed fibres for sale
The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, NSW
Cliff Axelsen “Infinity”
Andrew Sharp In the Playhouse Hotel , Barraba, NSW
The courtyard of The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, NSW
The theatre of The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, NSW
Anne Gibson
Anne Gibson
Anne Gibson
It always amazes me to see how the effect of one person’s energy and passion has the ability to change a place… On our arrival in the lovely rural community of Barraba, we were lucky enough to find the visionary Andrew Sharp, dynamic and passionate owner of The Playhouse Hotel, available for an interview and photo shoot. The Playhouse Hotel is arguably one of the main cultural centres of the district, hosting a variety of live music and theatre, movies, conferences and celebrations. With its sun-drenched licensed restaurant, vine-covered courtyard for parties, art gallery, conference room and an 80 seat private theatre for movie screenings and live performances, the hotel is the perfect choice for a short stay or special occasion, and Andrew an eloquent and gracious host.
In The Playhouse Gallery, Andrew hosts exhibitions from his private art collection as well as original works by local and other artists. Opening night parties give guests the opportunity to view artworks over a glass of wine before dinner in the restaurant (Andrew has engaged a full time chef). We were lucky enough to see an exhibition of paintings by Anne Gibson of Bondi Sydney as well as works by local artist Erik Dekkers and sculpture by Cliff Axelsen.
Andrew Sharp studied theatre in Sydney (he and Rosie were fellow Drama students at UNSW in the seventies). Andrew’s life path took him to the UK, where he worked as a professional actor. Travelling to Barraba in 2001, Andrew discovered small country town life and purchased what was the former Central Hotel, and embarked upon an ambitious renovation program, which has resulted in the luxury boutique hotel opening for business in 2007. (The old Central Hotel pool room is now Andrew’s theatre.)
Rosie and her family have enjoyed several meals and overnight stays at the Playhouse Hotel and suggests that you read the reviews at:
and the hotel website for more information.
Playhouse Hotel Contact details:
121-123 Queen St, Barraba.
Ph (02) 67821109
90 km north of Tamworth and 550km north west of Sydney on the Fossickers Way, Barraba sits in the Nandewar Ranges with the extinct volcanic area of Mount Kaputar to the west.
Bring a jumper !
Simon, aka: “Slim Knackers”, of “Black Dot Music” Armidale, Came over to make sure I was not destroying any Ukuleles … There was a bloody great big 6 string Banjo there with them in the window..”Can you play this? ” .. Slim indicated in the affirmative (modestly).. My knees were turning to al dente as Rosie cheerfully and proactively chirped .. “Jackie has one of these you know !?” .. a garrotte of fear strangled my reply while Simon deftly tuned the thing and brought it to rhythm and sweet melody. A some times performer at Woodford folk festival with a kid’s show, he presented me with a CD “Slim Knackers”, album “On a mission from Dog”, a ‘take’ on Country Music with a serious Bogan flavour. (Rosie didn’t buy the Banjo !)..Rosie reckons the “Black Dot ” has been ther forever and she used to hang out with a bunch of the people working there years ago. Great and friendly place !
That was yesterday.. we spent most of the day at a beautiful swimming hole “The Blue Hole” on the Castledoyle Road out of Armidale, under a big ol’e Pine tree at the water side playing some Uke songs and reading our books.(This being Rosies old ‘hood’, she knows all the best places here!)
Today, Sunday, we sought out the market in the Mall (Last Sunday of every month) where I spotted the name of a blacksmith I met once or twice at the Bellingen Markets about.. about 30 years ago, when we formed a mutual admiration society of two ! .. Blasting in from the past, I accosted Richard Coumbe of Possum Forge, Eungai Creek, NSW… Current treasurer of the ABANSW www.artistblacksmithnsw.com and an abiding interest in ancient metal see ARLHO – The Australasian Register of Living History Organisations. http://www.arlho.net/ . What a HOOT meeting up with this stirling fellow , felt like not a day had passed !.. Richard introduced me to Grahame Bray of Walcha, Artist Blacksmith and Sculptor, at his stall where Grahame showed me the sculptures he makes from the old “Ace Lane Rabbit Traps” that used to be made by the hundreds of thousands in Newcastle NSW some time ago .. ‘Part of our heritage.. No ‘Acubra Hats’ without these” he reminded me…. Does some great found object art with these things he finds.. lots of humour and cunningly constructed !
Then further up the market we came upon Warren Lawrence, .. with his beautiful old restored carousel , first registered around 1956 with ‘Work Cover’ ! Built from the old stainless steel ‘Drop-Tanks’ of aircraft ! .. How many Kids Hey,.. have ridden this thing ??!.. powered these
days by a washing-machine motor and the boundless enthusiasm of this beautiful human, Warren !.. always brings it to the Mall Market !
We bought cakes, tomatoes, Apple juice and via another picnic spot ‘The Pine Forrest’ we found our way to an old favourite, NERAM,the ‘New England Regional Art Museum’ .. where we were just in time to catch the exhibition “Modern Australian Art and the Second World War”..
travelling from the ‘Australian War Memorial’… all too current and familiar are some of these images .. and heart breaking , .. Amazing show though, with some of our most known artists represented .. Russell Drysdale’s sensitive and reflective “Soldier” from 1942 for one.
Back now and ‘bloggin’ on our last night here before heading over west to Barraba NSW . coming to Armidale ? Bring a jumper !
Simon, aka: “Slim Knackers”
Black Dot Music, Armidale NSW
Blue Hole picnic spot
Myself and Richard Coumbe, Blacksmith
‘Thor’s Beard’ Detail on the cauldron forged and riveted by Richard Coumbe, Blacksmith
A stew pot, forged and riveted, with a “Osberg burial Ship” style Tripod (Look it up) By Blacksmith Richard Coumbe
Copper coin made and struck by Richard Coumbe, NSW Blacksmith
Two sides to every story Copper coin made and struck by Richard Coumbe, NSW Blacksmith
Triumvirate ! Three Blacksmiths !
Mall Market Armidale
Grahame Bray, Artist Blacksmith and Sculptor
One of Grahame’s “Ace Lane Rabbit trap” rabbit sculptures
Rabbit made from a welder armature thingo ! by Grahame Bray
The wonderful Warren Lawrence (left) with a couple of his mates and his Carousel at the Mall Markets (last Sunday of the month) Armidale NSW
Carousel’s washing machine motor and truck differential
NERAM
A bronze sculpture of a New Guinean soldier in the second world war
Russell Drysdale’s “Soldier”
“Moresby picture show” by Charles Bush (1919-1989)
Bloggin’
Rhonda Ellem, Fibre Artist and Printmaker
We visited the studio and home of Fibre Artist and Printmaker Rhonda Ellem of Armidale NSW yesterday. Rhonda specialises in Japanese Shibori resist dyeing techniques on silk .. creating wonderful designs in the fabric, sometimes using objects as diverse as CDs and wooden tongue depressors in her practice. She also experiments with making natural dyes, using plant materials such as Eucalypt and Lichen. Rhonda has just returned from a trip with her Historian partner Dr Graeme Bourke, to the ancient sites of Peloponnesian Greece where she has found inspiration for her new Printmaking project in the Octopus motifs of funerary urns. It was a pleasure to catch up with Rhonda again. Such a highly talented yet unassuming artist and great cook ! We had a delicious lunch with conversation ranging through workshops that have inspired her practice to the trials of accessing remote and precipitous Peloponnesian temple sites.
Nathan Cahill, Musician and Teacher
We met Nathan Cahill at the campsite..Check out his website and compositions HERE headed for the Gold Coast and a Choir premiere performance of a song he penned and composed for the ANZAC Day Dawn Ceremony this morning.. I was ‘flangin’ away on my Uke when Nathan came over and introduced himself. He teaches Ukulele to his primary school students because he couldn’t face the Recorders !.. Now he instructs other teachers in Uke playing and he let me have a go on his 6 string Ukulele while he and his family packed and headed out for the deadline of the performance. Sadly he remembered I had the Beautiful little Lanikai (listen!) in my hot little hands…. ummm, thats not me playing.
Ancient Greek Octopus Motif funerary urn inspired prints (a working wall) Rhonda Ellem, Armidale NSW artist
Studio , Rhonda Ellem, Fibre artist and Printmaker
Ancient shards of Greek Octopus motif funerary urns
Studio , Rhonda Ellem, Fibre artist and Printmaker
Treasure chest
Rhonda Ellem in her garden
Couch… Rhonda Ellem’s place
Rhonda Ellem with Shibori silks
Dr Graeme Bourke, Historian , specialising in the ancient Greek City-state of Elis.. where the original Olympiads were held, In his beautiful Yellow Shed on top of the h!ill (Olympus is in his head, not in the shed !)
The Yellow shed tool chest.. Drawers labled “fishin'” and “plaines” (a vast and beautiful mind!)
Nathan let me play his 6 string Ukulele !
