Thursday 26 April 2012

Sir William Dobell

Sir William Dobell (1899-1970)

In 1985 my only Uncle, Len Alexander,
took me, as a young art student, to view the
William Dobell retrospective exhibition
"The Painting of a Portrait"
at Lake Macquarie Community Gallery (NSW Australia).
After viewing the exhibition we drove around
to Wangi Wangi to walk through Dobell's house, 
which had been preserved as a monument to the artist.

I have kept the small publication from the exhibition 
(choc full of Max Dupain photographs of Dobell's works),
I bought a copy of Brian Adam's 1983 biography
"Portrait of an Artist" 
also Elizabeth Donaldson's 2010 book
William Dobell - "An Artist's Life".
I finally found a copy of the out of print 1964 James Gleeson tome
on Dobell a few
months ago at a second hand book shop
in Kingscliffe NSW.

I have seen many, many paintings and exhibitions by other artists since,
but funnily enough, it is the Lake Macquarie exhibition
which resonates as my all time favourite,
 not least for the associated memories of my dear Uncle.

I visit "The Cypriot" each time I go to the Queensland Art Gallery,
reinforcing the connections made at that first viewing almost 30 years ago.
(my growing children are even now making it a habit to drop in on "our old friend")

I would be interested to hear of artworks, artists & art experiences that resonate for you.

William Dobell  The Cypriot 1940 | Oil on canvas ( Collection: Queensland Art Gallery)

A few links to articles about Dobell:

Sunday 22 April 2012

TERUHIDE KATO & HIROSHIGE PRINTS

"The Old Temple at Sagano" - Teruhide Kato


 "Sagano" - Teruhide Kato

Signed prints of the above two works by Japanese artist 
hang on my bedroom wall 
(along with reproductions of 2 of Hokusai's 100 views of Mt Fuji).
Kato's images transport me to places I have
visited in and around Kyoto -
"The Old Temple at Sagano" reminds me of our
visit to the temple at Riyoanji
and the "Sagano" image conjures memories
of our night time visit to the Bamboo Forest
of Arashiyama during the light festival held
there each November.
Evocative images for me to fall asleep and awaken to.

I also have a Hiroshige print purchased on our
last trip to Gion which is awaiting framing.

Okabe - Hoeido (53 Stations on the Tokaido Road) -  Hiroshige


Can't wait until it's up on my wall as well!

Tuesday 17 April 2012

More Old Dears



Pardon me for running with a theme here.
Just a couple more photo's of dilapidated sheds found
on the side of the road on my journeys.

Monday 16 April 2012

Grand Old Shed - South Ballina



Found this majestic old lady on a quiet
road at South Ballina.
Couldn't help but stop and take some photo's.

Sunday 15 April 2012

Hiding in the rain



This is where I've been hiding away the last week.
Lennox Heads/Lake Ainsworth Nth NSW.
Very rainy and squally, so not a lot of
others partaking of the surrounds,
making it very peaceful (even if it was a bit wet).

Saturday 7 April 2012

Wall "Paper"




Spent part of my day yesterday
"papering" my wall.
As you can see, it's just a small wall
at the end of my hallway, next to the kitchen
(far away enough from grease/grime or steam).
Am very pleased with the result,
might have to try it somewhere else in the house as well
(probably not in a bathroom though!).
*Click on the images for a better view*

Friday 6 April 2012

Daniel Lai - Kenjio Art Studio (altered book art)



 Above images are works by 
altered book artist Daniel Lai.
You can find a little bit more about him here:

Sunday 1 April 2012