We jumped into 2022 with some aspirations and a little reluctance, our summer more humid than before and it feels like more hot days than before. The beauty of it all, especially living in a high fire risk area, is that we have not had the hot Northerlies or Fire Ban Days that usually overshadow the joy of living in the bush.
Preparedness is key to knowing we cannot do more than we have for the safety of our home and so we keep up the watering and loving the recently installed rain water tank.
In this La Niña season temperatures are cooler and this summer was predicted to have more rain than usual.
New Year found Walter in hospital again, coming out on New Year’s Day. It was also our first anniversary with Dolly our kelpie, who is loving the Yarra bank walks, meeting lots of play mates and swimming in the river. She has grown in confidence, curiosity and trust of humans. She no longer is afraid of wheeled vehicles on pathways, such as prams and bicycles and has much respect for road vehicles.
With Qantas now flying into USA and especially Nashville TN, I am planning to get there to spend concentrated time with my daughter Cecelia and her husband Tony. They are thrilled to finally have their own house and backyard. They have revealed skills in carpentry, painting, recycling and putting them to good use in house improvements.
Walter is ‘back in the studio’ working on new paintings and pleased to be part of the AGRA upcoming exhibition of selected artists. He is planning a solo exhibition later in the year at the Victorian Artists Society Galleries.
Currently my artwork Conversation is included in the YAVA Inaugural Small Sculpture Exhibition INterior in Healesville, coinciding with the Yering Station Sculpture Art Award. Initially planned for October 2021 were postponed to when galleries could open and welcome visitors.
About Conversation:
Based on cultural tea drinking rituals, the marble tea caddies in the artwork Conversation, are a symbol for relationships. Relationships between family and friends that strengthen solid foundations through the ritual of drinking tea. Rituals that are passed from generation to generation.
The exhibition continues until March 6.
https://www.yava.org.au/interior
https://www.yava.org.au/yvayeringsculpture
February 28 I will deliver artwork, Hard Baked, to The Hut Gallery, Ferntree Gully for the exhibition Smorgasbord a MAVA collective exhibition. Open 1 – 10 March.
https://www.thehutgallery.com.au/
In March 2020 my exhibition at Art at St Francis was cancelled after five days due to the first wave of Covid 19. Brigette has offered space for a solo exhibition in March.
Asia Series: Cultural Costume Reimagined will be showing at Art at St Francis’ 9 March to 4 April.
https://stonycreekstudio.art/2022/01/14/the-asia-series-at-art-at-st-francis/
The weekend of 19/20 March after a two year hiatus, showcases the Warrandyte Donvale Rotary Art Show, in conjunction with the Warrandyte Festival. Four of my artworks will participate in the show as it is a pleasure to support the excellent work of Rotary. Official Opening is on Friday March 18.
https://www.warrandytedonvalerotary.org.au/art-show.html
Walter and I have found a window of opportunity to take a regional gallery tour 1 – 4 March.
We will visit Michelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art Gallery, where my daughter Melissa has arranged for a tour with gallery director Adam Knight. https://mitchelton.com.au/gallery/
Shepparton Art Museum recently had a major rebuild and are currently featuring the work of Lin Onus: The Land Within. https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/
To complete the tour we will head North to Benalla to lunch with my sister from Yarrawonga and visit the Benalla Art Gallery. Situated on the edge of Lake Benalla, the gallery hosts changing exhibitions and features some three centuries of Australian Art. https://benallaartgallery.com.au/
Victoria is rich in regional galleries, who present superb exhibitions. Always well worth planning a short trip to visit a few.
Plan a visit to Warrandyte to experience the Pottery Expo on the last weekend in February 26/27, on the River bank; following the theme Clay Communities. https://www.potteryexpo.com/
The final hurrah on this blog was the Fresh Perspectives event, held at wonguim wilam park on Saturday February 5. We celebrated summer with music, food friendship and pleasure whilst enjoying the projection of photographs by local artists, under the Bridge. The display of images in Taffy’s Hut continues until June 30. Read about the event (pg. 19) in the February Issue of Warrandyte Diary. Get all the news on the Festival (pg. 13) and Pottery Expo (pg. 8) https://warrandytediary.com.au/2022/02/
Cultural Costume Reimagined
National costume identifies culture and the significance of nations’ customs.
Contemporary fashion continually rebels against customs, whilst simultaneously appropriating traditional costume style and materials.
Intrigued with contemporary indigenous Asian fashion designs I have attended fashion parades, exhibitions, designer studios and bespoke boutiques during my years of travel throughout Asian countries.
Asia Series is based within fashion forms and styles that combine traditional
costume design with 21st century fabrics and concepts of four countries.
I have introduced a personal heritage symbol into the works that include silkscreen printing and Japanese paper collage.
The artworks are float mounted and framed to harmonize with the colour tones of the work.
9 March to 4 April 2022
Opening times:
Mo to Fr 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday 10 to 2 pm
https://www.stfrancismelbourne.com/art/
I am an Australian artist who creates artwork based at Stony Creek Studio in Warrandyte Australia. Between 2005 and 2019 I maintained a work studio at Huanghua Studio in Beijing China.
A major highlight in 2021 was Deep Blue Crossing, a solo installation, presented in partnership with Fed Square, Melbourne.
I participate in many local, national and international exhibitions and undertake many workshop programs. I am the recipient of several Residency Awards including Arthur Boyd’s Bundanon AIR and Montsalvat Artist-in-Residence, Manningham Arts Fellowship and Residence in Australia. My international residencies include Australia/China Council Residence Award in Beijing, Da Pu International Art Centre in Da Qing, Centre D’art I Natura AIR Farrera Spain, 99 Art Museum AIR in Beijing, the 3rd Heshun International Art Festival AIR Shanxi, Erdos Inner Mongolia International AIR, Hudson Centre for Contemporary Art AIR Hudson Valley New York, Shimenfeng Celebrity Culture Park Wuhan.
As secretary for the Artists 2000 Foundation I have received grants for curatorial and workshop projects in Australia and China based on International Cultural Art Exchange.
I am the recipient of several commissions including Tianjin Port Authority 60th Anniversary, BHG and Cocoa Cola Art Project, Western Academy of Beijing, Willoughby Visual Art Biennial, 27 Degree East Lake Ecological Sculpture Biennial.
I completed a Master of Arts at RMIT, Melbourne in 2002. My art practice is based on cultural diversity, belief systems, rituals, and icons that form the celebrations of these. I use a variety of media to enhance and harmonize with my conceptual expressions encompassing places of worship, sacred sites, spirituality and related symbols. Human characteristics impact upon natural environments and my environmental concerns relate directly to Australia, whilst conveying a global awareness.
I am Patron for Tasun Creative Art in China, Secretary for the Artists 2000 Foundation, Website Administrator and bi-monthly Bulletin editor for Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors and an independent curator. Memberships include: NAVA, MSWPS, MAVA, Artaviso
Between 2005 – 2016 I was curator for the Nv Yishu (Female Art) Series of bi-annual Touring Exhibitions and Meeting Halfway in Guangzhou China and the Chinese Museum in Melbourne; commissioned in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of Australia China Diplomatic Relationships.
My artworks are held in collections with:
Shimenfeng Celebrity Culture Park – Wuhan China,
BHG Beijing Hualian Department Store Co., Bundanon Trust, Loyola College, Nillumbik Shire Council, Containers Packaging, Zhengzhou Contemporary Art Museum, Australian Consulate-General Guangzhou, Redtory Art & Design Factory, EMG Art Guangzhou, Dapu International Art Centre, Da Qing Normal University, Imago Mundi: Luciano Benetton Collection, Heshun Cultural Development Art Museum, Private Collections, Hudson Center for Contemporary Art, Tasun Creative Art
All things in perspective, Melbournians received lockdown relief on 22 October, at 70% double vaccinated, we had a few uplifting moments, albeit hesitation with the installation at Fed Square. Booked to install on 27 October, Fed Square staff were confident it would go ahead. Much to our pleasure 29 October gave more freedoms at 80% double vaccination.
Deep Blue Crossing went live to the public arena, officially, on 1 November. NGV Ian Potter opened the doors on 3 November. On display at Fracture Gallery read more about the project here: https://stonycreekstudio.art/2021/10/06/deep-blue-crossing/ and here: https://fedsquare.com/events/multicultural-week
It has been an exciting experience and I thank the team at Fed Square who have been extremely supportive throughout the project.Great to see it was picked up by some of the Social Media organisations:
WHAT’S ON MELBOURNE
https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/search/this-weekend/page-5
URBAN LIST
https://www.theurbanlist.com/melbourne/a-list/things-to-do-melbourne
The famous Warrandyte Diary featured an article in the Diary Bulletin October and November Issue:
WARRANDYTE DIARY AND BULLETIN
https://warrandytediary.com.au/category/editions/
https://warrandytediary.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DOWNLOAD_Bulletin-OCTOBER-2021.pdf
The installation continues at Fed Square until November 30. I thank all who have given me feedback and sent images on their perspective of the artwork.
November has been one of the wettest, stormiest periods in weather history. Our new 5500 litre Rainwater tank was filled to overflowing within ten days of installation.
Melbourne Cup Racing was particularly fortunate on the first Tuesday in November to have about 26 degrees with sunshine.
At least the dog got a bath and smelled especially human good for a little while. Dolly is gaining her confidence with water, enjoys paddling in Stony Creek and is taking to the Yarra. Still a timid dog, she is now curious, letting more females give her a pat and socialises well with other dogs.
Pouring rain, high winds and falling trees seem to be a symbol for the chaos that has erupted throughout Victoria and the many protests. Lockdown has confined us, in between breaks, for over 260 days since the start the pandemic. Victorians, we have down well to reach our 90% double vaccinations, however, it has affected each and every one of us in more ways than I know. I can only speak for those around me and the effect on my mental and physical health. We congratulate ourselves for a job well done, and well deserved and now we face the consequences.
Along with the flood of rain, came a flood of opportunities, so much so that I could not keep up and give each worthy event the promotion it deserved.
My artwork has participated and continues to participate in several online exhibitions.
SHADOWS AT PLAY – A MAVA Collective Online Exhibition
https://www.mavacollective.com/shadows-at-play
Shadows can produce darkness, highlight the light, evoke beauty or something more sinister. Shadows can be very obvious or somewhat subtle by definition. Shadows at Play is a collection of over 60 artworks exploring the theme with sculpture, NFT’s, moving image, digital works, paintings, illustrations, photographs and more.
NO STRINGS ATTACHED – A MAVA Collective Online Exhibition
https://www.mavacollective.com/no-strings-attached
No Strings Attached is an exhibition that takes the definition in its literal form. Most of the artwork in this exhibition requires framing or mounting of some sort. Each piece is the same size and the same price. We wanted to keep it simple and yet provide opportunities for our art buyers to purchase Christmas gifts at more affordable prices. All the artworks are A4 in size, $150 in price, and ready for a frame or mount of your choice.
CHANGING PERSPECTIVES – MSWPS ANNUAL EXHIBITION – Online Exhibition
https://mswps.com.au/changing-perspectives-2021/
The creativity, diversity, and artistic excellence of our members will be showcased in this exhibition. Sincere thanks to Sophie Gerard, Assistant Curator of Australian Art NGV and judge of 2021 Annie Davison Oliver Award and Valda Cuming Sculpture Award.
Chinese Abstract Art (Nantong) Exhibition: A Hundred Years of Zhang Jian – Curator: Ma Yiying
I received a social Media Wechat message from Ma Yiying advising that my artwork is in this exhibition in China. A pleasure to know that pandemic and all my work continues to be featured in China.
The previous blog mentioned eight artworks hibernating at Fitzroy Stretchers since mid-July. After four months, I finally managed to arrange the framing, now completed, and collected the work on Monday 22 November. Art at St Francis Gallery has had to postpone again and we will connect in 2022, looking to the future.
MSC MARITIME ART EXHIBITION Online https://gallery.missiontoseafarers.com.au/
BLUETHUMB – 10 Day Collector Sale
Where art buyers connect with Australia’s emerging and established artists. You’ll only find original art for sale here.Welcome to Bluethumb, the Home of Australian Artists.
An artwork lasts a lifetime.
Don’t miss a rare opportunity to save on original Australian artworks.
Save 10% off any order using code COLLECT10
Save 15% off orders >$1,500 using code COLLECT15
Sale ends 29 NOV on bluethumb.com.au
https://bluethumb.com.au/denise-keele-bedford
FRESH PERSPECTIVES
With my two images selected for the next photographic event Warrandyte will hold an event Under the bridge on 5 February 2022, featuring all selected images.Photo posters have been installed at Taffy’s Hut and will remain in place until June 2022.
In conjunction with the event artists are displaying samples of their photos in Warrandyte Village for the month of December.Warrandyte Community Centre, next to Library as the Art Space.
1 – 30 December Open Wed – Sat 10am to 3pm. Denise will be on site 10 – 12:30 on 1,8,15,22, and 29 December.
After a flood of info on my activities, Walter is thrilled to be featured on the Victorian Artists Society website: PROFILE WITH VAS https://vasgallery.org.au/Walter-Magilton~22021
And what a buzz to have Deep blue Crossing featured at The Atrium at the same time as Found and Gathered an awe-inspiring exhibition on Until 20 February 2022.
Found and Gathered: Rosalie Gascoigne | Lorraine Connelly-Northey brings attention to the shared materiality at the heart of the practices of Rosalie Gascoigne (1917–1999) and Lorraine Connelly-Northey (b. 1962). Both artists are known for their transformative use of found and discarded objects to create works of art that challenge our understanding of the landscape, and Country.
https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/found-and-gathered/
Presented by Denise Keele-bedford in partnership with Fed Square
Fracture Gallery, The Atrium Fed Square 1 – 30 November 2021 24-hour Viewing
Wednesday 3, 10, 17 and Thursday 25 November I will be at fracture Gallery from 1 -4pm.
You are welcome to view the work anytime during November and please contact me if you would like me to meet you on site.
In celebration of Multicultural Week at Fed Square, an armada of origami boats will sail through Fracture Gallery, accompanied by rainbow colour beams dancing across the space. The installation uses colour to convey the kaleidoscopic diversity of nations who have traversed oceans and created a fusion from their cultural inheritances that transforms Melbourne into a unique multicultural society.
Read more on the project here:
https://fedsquare.com/events/multicultural-week
Deep Blue Crossing acknowledges our First Peoples, our first-generation migrants who continue to enrich Melbourne’s heritage, and all people of different backgrounds, ideas and cultures who contribute to the harmony of future generations.
With Thanks to: Stony Creek Studio, Kayendee Acrylics, BMG Australasia, Karyn Blokkeerus, Megan Caine.
I also thank the exceptional team at Fed Square who have guided the installation process with consideration and professionalism.
From the beginning of contacting Fed Square with an art installation concept, through Covid restriction concerns, to promotion, schedule planning, contact assistance and ongoing through November, my experience has been one of feeling completely supported.
Bastille Day, July 14 I enjoyed the company of Ceramic artist Jane Annois. Jane is very much a Francophile, who like me, travelled often, and embraced all things French. I was booked to travel with Jane and a small group on a walking tour in Corsica in June 2020.
Over coffee we excitedly talked of her upcoming trip to Magnetic Island and my trip in August to Brisbane. http://www.janeannois.com/
The day before I dropped eight artworks to Fitzroy Stretchers for framing. We arranged for me to go back on Friday 16 when the framer was present. https://www.fitzroystretches.com/
Bundit Puangthong their framer was absent, working on one of his major murals in the city.
As it happened, Melbourne went into Lockdown 5. Writing this Blog, I find myself having to research the dates and versions of the Lockdowns; they are all beginning to blend into one long series of restrictions with short periods of time being able to travel outside of 5 kms. Don’t blink otherwise you will miss it.
We know the drill of postponements, cancellations, zooms, refunds for tickets bought. Some of my refunds were difficult because my Credit Card had since expired causing phone calls to update the Expiry Date for remittance.
The MONOCHROME online exhibition was extended to end of August and the artworks are currently displayed in the online shop. https://www.mavacollective.com/shop?page=5
MSWPS Covid Creations online exhibition continues to be available for viewing.
https://mswps.com.au/covid-creations/
With the expectation of the uplifted restrictions on 27 July I have continued to prepare for the Manningham Arts Fellowship Event on September 19. Unfortunately, this event is to be rescheduled, possibly into 2022:
https://stonycreekstudio.art/2021/07/26/row-row-row-your-boat/
As Melbourne tumbled into Locked 6 on August 5 for 7 days, then a further 14 days……we find ourselves, early September, still here, at home in STAGE 4 restrictions, most likely until 70% of us are fully vaccinated. Big news: Walter and I have our COVID vaccination certificates.
The length of time it has taken me to write this blog Victoria now stands at 70% with at least the first vaccination shot.
2021 Victorian Seniors Festival is with us and series of podcasts are available to listen to.
Two artists with Italian heritage are featured in Episode 4, including my dear friend Liliana Barbieri. Check out the link below:
Visual artist and gallery director Wilma Tabacco speaks about the triumphs and challenges of growing up in an adopted country. Fellow artist and educator Liliana Barbieri talks about migration, family, and following her dreams.
About twenty MSWPS Members visited the studio of Vicki Sullivan via Zoom recently.
Vicki’s art practice is based in the realist tradition with a passion for 19th Century portraiture.
I wrote a review of our visit that can be read here: https://mswps.com.au/a-virtual-journey-to-vicki-sullivans-studio/
Walter continues the rounds of medical checks, tests, in and out and in again to hospital during August. He is well on the way to recovery from skin grafts. The Victorian artists Society will create an online Profile for him and he is pleased with the recognition.
While I wait for the outcome of various exhibition entry submissions, notices of postponement have been received and some different activities in my studio are occurring.
Preparation for Deep Blue Crossing to be held at Fracture Gallery in Federation Square has continued with some difficulty having acrylic forms made during this Lockdown.
The installation will coincide with Multicultural Month in November and fortunately Fracture Gallery is a view only 24-hour space, constructed of glass and steel. The Public will be able see the work without concern.
From the Orient: Recent Works from China is still planned for Mid-November for one month.
I have edited the Spring Edition of The Bulletin for the Melbourne Society of Women Painters & Sculptors and am currently preparing more than ninety artworks from fifty members for the online Annual Exhibition. Changing Perspectives 2021 will be launched for Public Viewing on Friday 1st October.
An older friend, who downsized, asked if I would advise on where to hang her art collection in the new abode.
Having less wall space than previously we took time to work through her collection and select the pieces that had the most ‘value’ to her, not monetary but emotional and historic value. I have been assisting for several months, in and out of lockdowns and her getting to travel to Darwin for a month. What luck.
It has been a most satisfactory engagement on my behalf with one piece now waiting on a valuation certificate and another which will be donated to the Golden Dragon Museum. It has been a pleasure dealing with these people and the Museum in particular are quite excited to receive the donation. When I suggested the donation to my friend, I knew nothing of her family background, the Museum, however, knew of the family connection to Bendigo. My friend is thrilled that the piece that has been in the family for well over 100 years will be well cared for as has in essence returned home.
You will recall me writing about The Year of Wonder Photographic event in Warrandyte, that resulted in a fabulous publication.
The next iteration is on the way with entries closing on 17 September for an event to be held late November. My submission was entered this week with my view on the theme Fresh Perspectives.
2021 is the 30 Year Anniversary of Redgate Gallery in Beijing.
In 2003 China opened to the world after SARS and I was one of the first foreign artists to go there. For Redgate Gallery anniversary many artists and associates have written articles, sent images, and a range of memorabilia for the celebration. The link is to my article:
Symbols of Joy is an article I wrote for the Warrandyte Uniting Church Bridge. I will make a post for the article. Based on the quirky artwork by Joan Denison, they bring a smile to faces that see them. Take a look at her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/joan.denison.52
Although it seems not much is happening in this time of Lockdown 6, with a little light coming in on Saturday, there is a lot to be thankful for, a lot to keep us engaged and a lot of reading. Just finished reading The White Road by Edmund De Waal, who wrote The Hare with Amber Eyes. Thanks, Anne Hastie, for lending me this book on a pilgrimage through the history of porcelain.
On the last note, I am thoroughly enjoying watching the wrapping of the Arc De Triomphe; the last work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude https://christojeanneclaude.net/artworks/arc-de-triomphe-wrapped/
Around Stony Creek Studio
As we move beyond Winter Solstice and into the second half of 2021, life around the studio continues to ride the waves in and out of Covid restrictions.
A pleasant time was had when Anne Hastie and I met at Tacit Gallery to chat with Celia Bridle and view her latest exhibition of exquisitely detailed prints. She described and process of layer upon layer in between printing until she is happy with the completed work. The works demand to be investigated intimately.
When the Rising Festival had to cancel or postpone all events during our fourth lockdown Walter and I were disappointed to miss all the events we had planned. However, Anne and I did get to visit the Old Ballroom above Flinders Street Station and be awe inspired by Patricia Piccinini’s A Miracle Constantly Repeated. The exhibition continues until 31 August.
Arc One Gallery, have been showcasing an exhibition of works by Guan Wei. Not sure if it will be extended beyond 3 July, as unfortunately it opened on 26 May only to be closed the next day for the lockdown duration. Anne Hastie and I had a wonderful visit to Guan Wei’s Beijing studio in the days when we could travel internationally. Talking on international travel, my crate of artworks has been held up. Due to be delivered to my door on 18 June, the ship has been delayed and at this stage no news of its arrival. https://arcone.com.au/
On the upside, my artwork from the re$pect exhibition is currently online with mavacollective:https://www.mavacollective.com/product-page/siev-series-expression
JULY
Mava Collective will also showcase my monoprint in the upcoming online exhibition MONOCHROME to be launched 1 July at this site: https://www.mavacollective.com
I have been a smidge busy putting together the MSWPS Covid Creations online exhibition to also be launched 1 July. https://mswps.com.au/covid-creations OR under the website address and WHAT’S ON.
24 July I will be in Melbourne CBD engaging with the Scavenger Print Hunt. The event will see artists placing ‘free gifts’ in a range of locations throughout the city streets. The scattered artworks are to bring some joy to anyone who finds and collects them. It is a gentle way to also acknowledge the significance of art in our world. From 12 Noon in a radius from Flinders Street Station.
AUGUST and beyond
Mid August, fingers crossed, I will be on a plane. Yes, those wonderful flying machines, we remember them, don’t we? Learning Gel Printing, I have been guided by a series of video classes put together by Kim Herringe in QLD. I am combining a visit to friends with a weekend workshop at Kim’s Maleny Studio https://kimherringe.com.au/
A week in and around Brisbane is just what the travel bug in me has ordered.
Looking forward to experiencing the James Turrell Light Installation at GOMA: https://blog.qagoma.qld.gov.au/james-turrells-light-installation-in-brisbane/
I recently sent a brief and images for promotion of Deep Blue Crossing and workshops to be held during Multicultural Month at Federation Square, in November. Paper folding continues.
I am putting a callout for volunteers interested in joining me on 19 September on a Public Interactive Project at Finns Reserve Templestowe. In conjunction with the culmination of my Manningham Arts Fellowship I am supporting Talk Like a Pirate Day https://www.talklikeapirateday.com.au/
If you are into poetry, like to sing, play an instrument, like to make art, know stuff about ships, waterways and pirates OR like to support worthy causes, contact me: https://stonycreekstudio.art/contact-us/
In March 2020 my exhibition Marks in Time at Art at St Francis had to be cancelled due to a little bug called Covid 19. Mid June it was lovely to receive the offer of a gallery exhibition for mid November. The exhibition will overlap with Deep Blue Crossing at Fed Square for two weeks.
Lastly, for funky art materials: Reverse Art Truck – https://www.reversearttruck.com/
Re-use, Recycle, Revive, Re-invent, Revamp, Renew and Reduce!
Today I saw a Facebook post by my dear friend Zheng Xuewu. His post is reflective on a 2006 exhibition and an introduction to a 2009 exhibition. Below is the text from his post.
I was invited to participate in the 2006 ‘Qingzhou International Art Exhibition’, my first real international art exchange exhibition. In a Museum, how exciting. Although many international artist were represented only three attended the event, Kim Nam-Oh, Nathaniel McMahon and myself. I felt like I was representing female artists across the globe and was extremely proud to be an ambassador for my country on this momentous occasion.
We traveled by train for eleven hours. There is much to be said for the fast train today as it now takes four hours from Beijing to Qingzhou. Many of the Chinese artist went by car. Nathaniel and I were offered to go by car, however Wang Lifeng was so nervous about taking us, due to his little experience of foreigners, that he backed out of the offer.
I learnt much about luggage; all the things that I do not need to travel with. I felt burdened by my load of too many changes of clothes, laptop computer, backpack etc. My room mate, the other female Wang Jing, carried so little that I look like I was going for a month, not a week.
The exhibition was a buzz of activity, my rice and bean installation well received and made on site with local produce. I remember Shen Jingdong watching me working in the exhibition hall, whilst a row of artists sat opposite also watching me. They had carried their artworks with them which already were on the walls, while I spent several hours installing my design. Shen Jingdong announced to all and sundry, “Here, you are watching a real artist at work.” Another artist who was also busy creating in the gallery hall nearby was Liu Bolin. Today Liu Bolin is an internationally celebrated artist, who in 2019, was honoured with a solo show at Ballarat Art Gallery.
Qing Zhou International Art Exhibition
Qing Zhou Museum of Art, Shan Dong, China
Curator: Xuewu Zheng, Baijun Sun
2006
“Flag –Flying”
Xuewu Zheng
In the summer of 2006, Beijing’s art atmosphere is as hot as the weather.
Three big jeeps carried over ten Chinese-foreign artists, starting from Beijing, running six hours to the ancient city Qingzhou that is located in the middle part of Shandong province. On the way passing Dezhou, we were attracted by famous food braised chicken; we stopped for a while and bought a fat one and felt quite good.
Ancient city Qingzhou has a long history and strong culture atmosphere. Colour stone carvings collected in museums are particularly exquisite. Artist Sun Baijun and I together with Qingzhou museum jointly planed “2006 Qingzhou International Modelling Art Exhibition”. Plus, Qingzhou local artists, more than 40 artists attended the exhibition.
The exhibition mode is completely different from exhibitions at art districts in Beijing. It uses the method of local governments organizing large-scale cultural activity. The huge banners and ad billboards, colourful banners, Qingzhou leaders and cultural bureau leaders attend the opening ceremony. Zheng Zuoliang, director of Collection Dep. National Art Museum of China, famous engraving artist cut the ribbon for the exhibition.
In fact, in just short days, people who came to see the exhibition were so many. Besides the local poets and scholars, more were ordinary visitors. This is probably due to the report by Qingzhou radio on the exhibition. People cheerfully communicated with artists. We were also very happy, although the terrible Dezhou braised chicken made me and Shen Jingdong go to hospital for intravenous infusion before the exhibition ended.
This year is just good time of Chinese contemporary art. Beijing is China’s most important art battlefield, with various exhibition activities concentrated here, seeming to fight for land. Many artists are busy with little time to go away from Beijing. In such a background, we planned this modern art exhibition in little Qiangzhou which is far away from the noisy city, really out of serious artists’ art historical responsibility. Modern art in Beijing is already very active, which gets world’s attention. But small and medium cities completely do not know what modern things look like! Like Qingzhou this ancient cultural city, people’s cognition on tradition has reached a high degree. Compared to other places where traditional culture is not deep, choosing such places as pilot locations of publicity and popularity of modern art will have better effect.
We’re really a bunch of idealists.
In the summer of 2009, the weather of Beijing is still hot, but art scene is “cool” a lot.
Artist Bi Hongliang and I together with Zibo Museum jointly planed “2009 Zibo International Modelling Art Exhibition”. To conduct this activity, we drank for many times and had meals for times! Hongliang did a lot of detailed concrete and trivial things for the exhibition, such as implementation of exhibition hall, leaders and insider’s invitation, artists’ accommodations in Zibo, manual mill visit, and pictorial design and printing etc.
Compared with 2006, today’s art environment has changed significantly. Global economic crisis cooled China’s popular art market. Many artists are like hundred hearts scratching, with no interest to conduct any exhibition activities without any benefit. In fact, the exhibition activity is far better than last time. The organizers print brochures for us, arrange accommodation, visit coloured glaze factory and ceramics factory, also arrange special travelling place. This is really quite good cultural and artistic activities.
This exhibition is full of famous Chinese artist elites: oil painting master, professor o
Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts Sun Jianping; engraving master, famous art educator, professor of China Central Academy of Fine Arts Wang Huaxiang; Pioneer modern artist Shen Jingdong; true power heavyweight artists, professor of Luxun Academy of Fine Arts Wang Jiazeng; Representative of the new realism Bi Hongliang and Jin Guangri; active international modern artist, the Chinese character biennale planner Pan Xinglei; Academic painting master Zhang Chun; dean of Nanjing engraving yard, famous engravings artist, “practice power” contemporary engraving literature exhibition curators Liu Chunjie; The Chinese modern experimental ink important artists Sun Baijun; Installation artist, curator Zheng Xuewu; Wang Chuanhe Qingdao drawing artist, well-known for sea drawing. International artists attending this exhibition are Tokyo Kabata Yuuri and Kabata Chihiro sister’s combination; American Chicago site artist Alsion Rhoades, North Carolina young artist Lauren Goding, New York’s installation artist Heejung Cho; Slovakia copperplate painter, Professor Peter Kocak; Australian famous painter Jayne Dyer; South Korea installation artist Kim Namo and Yoon Ilkweon; Dutch photography installation artist Rienke de Vries; American material artist Kathryn Gohmert.
Every artist is like flying flags in the wind. Wherever these colours dance to, there will be bright beautiful scenery. We take on our art sincere, eternal love to art, we will go to more places and enjoy pleasant sensations that come from a collision of different cultures, different space-time, many differences with more people!
We believe, in the future, the climate will remain cold in winter, hot in summer. What will art be like? It is unknown.
But we always expect, if China has more places such as Qingzhou and Zibo to accept and host modern art activities, and through various media with various means, let our ordinary people have access to modern art and foreign culture with various forms and fresh vitality. We ordinary Chinese people’s drab aesthetic orientation formed in hundreds of thousand years will become multivariate.
Thanks to the Chinese and foreign artists; Thanks to all the people that participated in activities.
Songzhuang studio, night of June 7, 2009
Here we are in a ‘7 Day’ lockdown which has given me time to stop and reflect on the month of May that went so quickly I almost missed it.
It was such a shame that Walter and I could not attend the much-awaited RISING festival activities as our tickets for all performances were cancelled. On the eve of Reconciliation Week, we were to enjoy Bungul in Hamer Hall and experience the magnificent projection on the Art Centre. I hope that the projection is extended, as it looks great in the video clips.
We did, however, have an at-home dinner celebration and extensive clear view of that giant red-blood moon. Joy for Walter that his oncologist does not want to see him for a year.
May came in a flurry as the Flora exhibition closed, the Nillumbik Prize opened at Montsalvat, and Walter featured on the front page of the Warrandyte Diary that reported on the Anzac Day March.
In between Walter’s medical appointments we managed a few days, with the dog, in Lakes Entrance. What a vibrant arts community, full of energy, collaboration, and some broad thinkers. We spent time with Jan Martin, Cynthia Boyle, Ngaere Donald, enjoying their creative studios, afternoon tea in the converted dairy and great conversations with spouses.
Another lovely dinner at Jan’s place with Josephine Jakobi, Andrea Lane, more spouses, and an introduction to the Lake Tyers Float residency.
At Red Gallery in Fitzroy, with Janet Boddy and many others I listened to Anne Hastie’s presentation, set amongst her artworks in the Peridot exhibition, in gallery one. In gallery three Beatrice Magalotti exhibited her Migration Series of drawings, installation, bronze, and photography.
I was wowed when I walked into an exhibition by Sue Jarvis. Art That Makes You Think was held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, a superb gallery space where Sue’s paintings were literally awesome. The exhibition was a survey of some 15 years of studio production. An absolute credit to her.
It was a privilege to attend the wake and exhibition of works for Valda Cuming OAM. Valda, at 91, passed away in April 2020. Valda’s legacy continues with the profit from exhibition sales being divided between her three favourite arts organisations. I am pleased to say I now own two small Valda Cuming artworks.
Not knowing whether June will be spent at home in our 5klm zone, Walter and I are in preparation for future activities but keep low key immediately. This time is good for, well, writing, studio work, touching base with friends and family and updating social media.
With a major installation planned for November, I am required by end of June to submit images and text for promotion of the artwork and workshops, whilst continually folding paper for the installation.
As the webmaster for the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (MSWPS) June will see me setting up an online Covid Creations exhibition due to be launched 1 July.
Also, as editor for The Bulletin, a bi-monthly MSWPS Newsletter, my job is to have the publication out before 1 July.
For more than a year I have been planning for a crate of my artworks to be sent from China.
11 June sees the crate landing in Melbourne and delivery to my studio 18 June. I look forward to having a few of my babies in Melbourne.
In February I participated in the Year of Wonder presentation in Warrandyte. The exhibition concludes on 30 June and a celebration with a book launch will take place on Saturday 3 July. I was fortunate to be able to by a copy and full of excitement to see my images included in the publication. Our Year of Wonders Warrandyte 2020 is available for purchase at $40.
In 2020 I applied for a Creative Industries Small Fellowship with Manningham Council.
I was successful in Phase 1 and currently awaiting the outcome for Phase 2. A future blog will be written when I know the outcome. In the meantime, this link introduces the project: https://www.manningham.vic.gov.au/row-row-row-your-boat
Pleasantly surprising was a call to ask if I was interested in being part of an artist-in-residence program. Manningham Arts, as most organisations, had to rethink programs, utilizing spaces and public engagement due to the pandemic, public restrictions and various lockdowns.
The three Fellowship recipients were invited to prepare public workshops and take up residence at the Manningham Arts Studios.
In 2021 I was the first artist -in-residence, 22 February to 21 March. Day one was orientation discussion with Staci Mariolis, acquiring a pass to the studio, basics of studio access, parking and facilities. I spent time photographing the building architecture, interior designs, shapes and colours. My access time was 2-7pm Monday to Friday, although it soon changed to 6:30 due to regular classes starting up for Term 1. The last week overlapped with Michel Tuomy, when we both used the studio. I was finishing off, packing up and he was just contemplating what the residency would offer him.
I have undertaken many residencies over many years and not one has been similar. Every residency is unique in its own way, we weigh up the pros and cons, find a happy medium and work with what we have. At least it is the principle I work by each time. I have said before that as much as possible I do not have a predetermined plan for a residency. I may have some basic ideas of what the residency might offer and allow the situation to guide the work production.
The images and descriptions show the fantastic architecture of the Manningham Arts building, the studio and several of my artworks in progress.
Manningham arts are currently calling for applications that close on 30 May 2021. Below is an introduction and links for information on applying.
About the Arts Manningham FAIR
In 2020 we launched a new program of small fellowships to support local artists research and develop ideas for new arts programs, installations and performances.
The program provides recipients up to $6,000, over two phases, to develop and implement projects that provide engaging arts experiences for the Manningham community and encourage visitors to the region. Recipients also receive a short residency at Manningham Art Studios during their fellowship. This allows them to facilitate artistic collaboration and run supporting public programs, such as workshops and artist studio talks.
To apply please read the Arts Manningham FAIR (74.5 KB) information sheet in full before submitting the Arts Manningham FAIR application form
For enquiries, please contact Manningham Art Gallery on 9840 9367 or email gallery@manningham.vic.gov.au.
Two months on and a fresh perspective on my world.
Well actually it is three months on. Wow that went fast.
With ups and downs, cans and cant’s, sudden restrictions on again and off again our lives have been in a state of questions.
Do we make plans, buy tickets to a show, arrange dinner with friends, book the restaurant etc. for if we do will it be postponed, cancelled or become a non-event?
Here I am three months since the last blog, festive season come and gone, Walter in treatment for six weeks, come and gone and moved into 2021.
We are living within a freedom of movement that can be restricted at any time.
As always flexibility is the key. Yes, we make the plans, buy the flight tickets to South Australia, organise a night with friends and book a restaurant to celebrate the end of Walter’s radiotherapy treatment.
Somethings we can do, somethings we cannot do. With a sudden five-day lockdown recently, we cancelled five different activities, movie ticket purchase reimbursed, just sneaked in the new studio shelving, new worktable delivery postponed, Church service back to Zoom, Gallery visits cancelled and postponed meet up with friends.
I was due to start an artist-in-residence with Manningham Arts on February 22. Would it happen, would it not happen? Fortunately, restrictions lifted and life continued.
In the past three months I have managed to attend some exhibition openings, covid safe environments are a bit spasmodic and I do set my own criteria.
I have managed to start an exercise class, just skimming either side of a five-day lockdown.
I have entered Art Shows and actually taken artwork to the framers.
I have rearranged my studio, had new shelving installed and had a new worktable delivered.
I do not know what is normal anymore and continue my mantra of flexibility. Activities and events that pre 2020 were part of everyday life take on a different significance.
Strange experience today to walk around the supermarket and choose products, so different to online ordering and having groceries delivered to my car boot.
I went to Bunnings, physically walked into the store and asked where I could find certain products. I enjoyed the time sifting through the storage bin shelves. Just a little exciting.
As we hover at the edge of March and look at a twelve-month anniversary of the first restrictions and cancellation of my exhibition at Art at St Francis, we can thank our own resilience and personal strength that has carried us thus far.
