Thursday, August 20, 2009

for those in the Brisbane region...



This coming weekend in Brisbane a brilliantly organised Environmental Expo is bringing together a fascinating diversity of Speakers, Stall-holders, Eco-future initiatives, organisations and individuals all presenting their take on participating in a brighter future. Quite a number of artists and creatives have been asked to participate and the networking between people began weeks ago. This forward thinking, inclusive and dynamic organisational process has had participants wanting to sign on and bringing so much enthusiasm to their planning.Its been a wonderful model for creating and  enhancing community  life.

My participation is listed under S for Sophie below. Earlier posts have referred to this current project of mine  that ties together strong concern for  Seed saving, and awareness and preservation of our world's precious heritage of seeds.... increasingly at threat due to a number of key critical factors, very largely, lack of education. The Manifesto of the Future of Seeds  came through Slow food International in 2006 prompted by the convergence of special interest groups and the critical document 3 years earlier: The Manifesto of the Future of Food. Connecting also with The International UK-based initiative through Kew Gardens  -The Millenium Seed Bank project -which the local Botanical Gardens 'Seeds for Life' project was tied in with- all added to my sense of urgency for this important work. I'm hoping to look further soon into the excellent weblinks I have been discovering of late that marry Art with Ecology. For  a link to  my posts on ecology related topics go to the  categories list and click on ecology there. If you can get down to the Hillbrook Expo on Saturday do come along and say hello! I'd love to chat with you!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

tormentate i sensi



Quoted text: Alana Kennedy's installation, 'tormentate i sensi', muses on immortality, mythology & epicurean delicacies to 'tantalise the senses' and to richly combine this mystery with painting.
Welcome to Alana Kennedy's Marcilio Ficino Temporary Dining Room...where to dine is not merely to eat...envisaged for the purpose of serving Hesperidean deliciacies...the artist will make the temporary Dining Room available (by special appointment) to all who wish to dine and host a private dinner or soiree.
This Dining Room is named after Marcilio Ficino, a 15th century philosopher who ignited the cultural revolution that elevated dining to an art form, and together with his transalations of classical antiquity, fed and elevated the mind and status of a 'painter' into the realm of an artist.
In 2009, the artist continues her improvisations on art and epicure.  

Please note: this  text was taken from the website of this Gallery as a means of seducing you into reading more here. I happened to buy and read today's  'Epicure' from the Age , Melbourne's  daily Newspaper. At the bottom left of page 8 I read the intriguing advertisement for the artist, a temporary dining room, and art supply outlet, and handmade furniture...all happening in one place! I HAD TO INVESTIGATE!  I quote straight from the web text for the purpose of informing accurately what this is all about.
Sunday afternoons feature entertainment:
an earlier work by Alana Kennedy:
Painted gardens of a Honey Empress  2007,  Oil encausic on linen

I'm thoroughly impressed with the brilliance of this idea. When an artist dedicates so much time to working away on their own why not  gather people for more than that quick drop of wine and a 30 minute chat crowded in front of walls where barely a glimpse can be had of what's hanging there. I like that this idea just does more than promise something illusive...one can see a wonderful experience awaiting those who participate.

Monday, August 17, 2009

megan whitmarsh : visions of the frontier

'Abbra-Cadabbra Home security' is a collaborative work by Megan Whitmarsh and Caroline Rankin - KK projects New Orleans

I have titled this post Visions of the frontier after a title from the artist Megan Whitmarsh's website of a current project she is working on. Somehow this title struck me as perhaps applicable in reference to this work seen below. LA, her present location is hardly a frontier town...but then it is such an idiosyncratic place and this title does connect with  images that come to mind, perhaps extremely cliched images, of this City of Angels.


'trash mountain'  Megan Whitmarsh  pencil, marker, ink and gouache on paper
Recent work from Megan Whitmarsh, an LA based artist makes a statement here about consumption. For more information and images go to the artist's website here.


Colour Work Station, 2009  print edition seen on news.


Visions of the frontier  (news)

Pairings: Back to the Garden... and Water

Saint Verde Digest is a fascinating blog I stumbled across today with images that generally pair 2 distinctly different subjects for an interesting visual impact. This is the concept of South African based Neville Trickett for his blog and I wanted to share glimpses from several August posts here with you so you can view them in more detail. In this Garden series he has paired plant images from his own garden (impressive) with illustrations by Christian Montenegro from his book The Creation. Have a wander at Saint Verde Digest...you will be amazed!

.
From the Water Final Post: Thursday August 6th


and from the earlier post Water Part 4: August 5, 09



wood and wool stool

I just came across this and wanted to post it straight away... I love how inventive people are being with things from the past...bringing woolen crochet  squares together with recycled wooden stools.

image on website for wood & wool stool


This image was posted on 12th July on Norskstil.blog Curious to see more I clicked on wood & wool stool which took me to a website for these colourful stools produced by Ingrid Jansen. Love the look and the appeal of these colourful and practical seats... perhaps not quite perfect for our warm climate here.However I can just see them in a cosy cafe...and I'd be very happy to have one of these for my home!!

6 stools for exota amsterdam by wood & wool stool
handmade by wood & wool stool from Flickr

krukjes maike by wood & wool stool.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Mia Pearlman


Here are images from artist Mia Pearlman who works with a variety of media and forms, notably Cut Paper instillations, Cut Paper Sculpture and Cut paper Collage as shown below. I have included images from her website in this post that are inspiration to Mia's Art Practice and also 4 of her paintings. I was quite awestruck at the first viewing of this artist's work and made contact to express my interest and was granted permission to post images from her website. The website contains a wealth of quite stunning material so I am pleased to finally get to sharing this....thanks to  Mia!


Eddy - a conceptual drawing on many levels. Read more here.


Eddy


Eddy

Images found clicking on contact of Mia's website titled Cool Stuff


Mia at work

Cloud Vortices

Cells


Nutball clouds

Flame nebula


Alluvial fan

 
cloudscape paintings,  Mia Pearlman, 2006

From the Breathe Paintings:

   
All the blues of the world scattered, 2006


That rumour of a cohesive unity, in which all things participate or adhere, 2006
5'  x  7'

Friday, August 14, 2009

recent work

'Coastal Reverie' - Sophie Munns
120 cm x 40 cm
acrylic and oil pastel on canvas

'sub-tropical totem' - Sophie Munns
60 cm x 80 cm
acrylic and ink on canvas

small works in progress in the studio.