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Cloudzones: Two Precious Minutes of Nothing An upcoming exhibition by Lane Cove artist Paul Bennett

PAUL BENNETT

Paul and his wife Tutti are familiar faces in Lane Cove. We have featured them in the pages of TVO before as their eclectic, colourful style and warm, smiling faces gets them noticed on the Village’s streets.

Artistry has propelled Paul’s entire life, from playing violin in the Queensland’s Musica Viva Society Orchestra, to a scholarship at the London College of Printing in the early 70s, to a life working with Tutti running their own advertising agency. Ups and downs have never stymied their shared passion for art, style, knowledge, travel and fun.

In official retirement, Paul took to music, writing and painting. He is author of the book “The Cranky Guru: adventures in metaphysics” where he divulges his playful and funny take on our place in the universe. He also plays violin with the ‘Road Captains’ Blues and Country duo. But it is painting and sculpture – a gift given to him by his artist father – where his ideas really take off.

Paul’s upcoming Gallery Lane Cove exhibition is underpinned by one crucial piece of inspiration - his desire to gift the viewer “two precious minutes of nothing” where we can disconnect ourselves from our fast-paced lives and spend time contemplating something bigger than ourselves.

Paul’s work has timeless, beautiful quality; exploring air, wind, fire, water. The poignancy of his work, so soon after the bushfires and lockdown, is inescapable. It is as though his works are symbiotic, and empathetic with us and our environment. But the theme that encapsulates his work, “two precious minutes of nothing”, is eerily prophetic. Here is an artist who asks us to delve into silence; into nothingness; into stillness in order that we can be revitalised and rewarded.

Cloudzones: Two Precious Minutes of Nothing opens on 9 December 2020 at Gallery Lane Cove and will run until 19 December, before re-opening 4 – 16 January 2021. Paul will give an artist talk on Saturday 12 December at Gallery Lane Cove from 11am – 12pm. Booking is essential: paulbennett-artists-talk.eventbrite. com.au

Margaret Vickers

Waterlines by Margaret Vickers

Can you describe to us the type of artist you are, and the medium you work in?

Watercolour, mixed media and printmaking are central to my art practice. When I want to capture the beauty of a landscape, watercolour and mixed media are generally used. Printmaking with all its different techniques allows me to pull concepts and ideas through the printing press.

What motivates and inspires you?

Inspiration is everywhere. For me, when the “wow” factor happens I respond. Nature can provide outstanding inspiration as too can current issues such as climate change and land clearing. Natural patterns and textures also attract my attention.

Where did you learn your craft, or is it something you were blessed with?

After stepping away from my early career in education, art provided some sanity in the family raising stage of life. Botanical art was my starting point. Representational marks have now been replaced by raw, scratchy and often abstract marks. Many workshops followed but it was my time at the National Art School (NAS) between 2010 – 2012 that was particularly interesting. I learned to really see the world and it opened up the rich and stimulating world of art history. I appreciated the encouragement from local printmaker Bernhardine Mueller post-NAS. She was a generous teacher and wonderful mentor.

Do you find Lane Cove and surrounds a supportive place for artists and creators?

Lane Cove’s proximity to the beautiful waterways of our harbour and bushland explain why so many artists throughout history have found inspiration ‘on their doorstep’. However, overdevelopment is threatening the very fabric that attracted artists to this area. Lane Cove also has a very welcoming art society which was established in the mid-1960s.

Do you believe there should be more support for the arts, and if so, how would that manifest?

a) Maitland Regional Gallery devoted the whole of January 2020 to a celebration of art. Every workshop was free to the general public. Art was accessible to everyone. b) Established artists could mentor other artists c) Mosman Art Gallery has a noticeboard near the main road at Spit Junction. The Corso would be an ideal place for a similar noticeboard.

How would we go about seeing your works?

I regularly exhibit with the Lane Cove Art Society. I aslo have a website www.margvickers.com that does give you some idea of the style of my artwork. From 19th January until the 30th January 2021 I will be having an exhibition at Gallery Lane Cove. Coastlines are my focus. I would love to see you there.

Which artists inspire you?

Betty Churcher for her egalitarian view of art and her communication skills. Matisse and Margaret Woodward for their compositional expertise and tonal colour application. Fred Williams and John Wolseley for their abstraction of the landscape. Corot and Lloyd Rees made exquisite ‘felt’ marks. Our First Nations artists have finally gained the international recognition they deserve.

Margaret is a member of Lane Cove Art Society which meets on the fourth Thursday of the month where an artist gives a demonstration. Meetings start at 7pm at the Living and Leisure Centre, 180 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove (no meetings in Dec/Jan)

LISTINGS

My Mother My Muse

Thea Weiss 9 December 2020 (Opening night) - 16 January 2021 A solo exhibition of prints, paintings and sculptures that revolves around the subject of the artist’s mother Anne Wolfson.

In Conversation:

Life Re-Gifted, Thea Weiss with Dr Leo Robba Saturday 12 December 1:30pm

Drawn to the Edge - Coastlines

Margaret Vickers 19 Jan – 30 Jan 2021 (Opening night – 20 January) Drawn to the Edge-Coastlines is a compilation of images that have attracted the artist’s eye over the last 12 months. Climate change, current issues and the beauty of the coastline is featured.

Far Horizons, Jewel Seas

Diana Borinski 19 Jan – 30 Jan 2021 (Opening night – 20 January) The artist’s series of paintings is inspired and invigorated by the love of the ocean. The seascapes of Sydney and Northern NSW with their scale and diversity of forms, textures and vibrant colours ask the painter for a delicate balance between technique and a creative flow, echoing the boundless energy of air and water.

In Conversation:

with Margaret Vickers and Diana Borinski Saturday 23 January 11am Hear about each of the artist’s practice and then a discussion about their different approaches to the theme of coastlines and seascapes.

(All events have COVID safe measures in place, limited numbers, registration essential, free to attend) The gallery will be closed between 20 December 2020 – 3 January 2021. Exhibition will resume from 4 January 2021.