“THE STAR”, Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - PAGE 23
New directions By Bert van Bedaf COAL Creek Heritage Village in Korumburra continues to develop in new directions. It now also has its own community gallery in the auditorium to show local and regional artists as well as major works from across Victoria. The exhibition will run until Wednesday, September 30. Mayor of South Gippsland Shire Council, Jim Fawcett opened the gallery last Friday week. The inaugural exhibition comprises 25 paintings from council’s own collection of art acquisitions, curated by well-known Korumburra art dealer Doug Kane. Cr Fawcett pointed out that the shire does not have a large collection and that there had been “very limited space to display the works acquired for public viewing”.
He emphasised that council continued to support the arts and culture through the extensive community grants program and marketing. The acquisitions illustrated tastes and trends over a number of decades, with landscapes the dominant theme. They included paintings by Fish Creek artist Bianca Biesuz-Stefani (two) and Inverloch’s Julie Lundgren Coulter (four). Older outstanding works were two oils by Harris Smith, Leongatha Landscape and Towards Leongatha (1987). A marvellous still life by Venus Bay artist Joanna Miles was acquired in 2003 and the fantastic print by another Fish Creek talent Kerry Spokes, titled The Gathering, stole the show. It was unfortunate that none of the artists, those still among the living,
were unable to attend this historic occasion, which provided a welcome approach to its public acquisition process. Similar exhibitions are sure to follow. The next shows at the new gallery will be a Japanese inspired, mixed media display by Suzanne Jones, who is part of the Anita Archer stable. Ms Jones has travelled widely and this is reflected in her work, which includes exquisite portraits. She lived in Hong Kong and the Oriental culture is a strong theme in her paintings. Her exhibition will open on October 2 and run until October 18. This will be followed with a prints exhibition by Lynn Keating, opening on October 23 and running until November 8. For details, call Coal Creek on 5655 1811.
Marbling image: artist Robert McLaren enjoyed a well-attended opening of his marbling exhibition at Gecko Studio Gallery in Fish Creek.
Marbled art PEOPLE who attended the opening of the marbling show at Gecko Studio Gallery in Fish Creek recently were “fascinated and intrigued” by the beauty and variation of the works. Robert McLaren and Joan Ajala were joint exhibitors with a fine range and variation of the works. The show, called Marbled Papers, will run until October 17. “Robert’s landscapes look like photographic images and Joan’s twice marbled pieces are just beautiful,” gallery co-owner Michael Lester said. “Sales have been good and there has also been a great deal
Enterprising trio: from left, Coal Creek curator Shirlee McPherson, Coal Creek co-ordinator Rowena Ashley and South Gippsland shire acting economic development manager Ken Fraser helped make the gallery become reality. Art collection: Curator Doug Kane (left) and Mayor Jim Fawcett discuss the bright colours of The Great Southern Festival (in Korumburra) by Frank Smith at the new Coal Creek gallery, which opened last Friday.
of interest and critical acclaim.” “Joan has some small and affordable matted marble pieces and marble cards. She also has available a wide range of more traditional patterned marble pieces at reasonable prices in a portfolio set out on a table in the gallery,” Michael said. “Joan’s work is more experimental and her contemporary pieces are beautiful and as good as any created by the best in the world.” Michael and partner Kerry Spokes also celebrated the ‘opening’ of their newly extended gallery space with a cutting of the ribbon ceremony.