Portland artist Carmel Wallace with her three-dimensional work, Bloom, which is part of the Trajectories exhibition.
[dropcap style=”color: #a02f2f;”] S [/dropcap]ix sensational visual artists who share much in common have combined for a new exhibition at Warrnambool’ SCOPE Galleries that opened today (Sept 7).
The Trajectories exhibition features the work of artists Victoria Dunn, Annette Iggulden, Marion Manifold, Liza McCosh, Noela Stratford and Carmel Wallace who, between them, cover almost the full trajectory of art mediums, from painting to printmaking, drawing, photography and installations.
All six women have deep connections to regional Australia, with most living in south-west Victoria, and were among the first to complete a doctorate in visual arts at Deakin University in Warrnambool through what was then considered a bold experiment to combine artistic output (producing a gallery standard exhibition), with research and theory (a 20-000-30,000 word exegesis explaining their work).
The exhibition not only captures how far the artists have come (their “trajectory”) since their pioneering days as PhD students, but also reflects the immense value of having the opportunity to study for such a high-level qualification at a regional campus. That opportunity has since been removed, following the closure of the Visual Arts school at the Warrnambool campus.
SCOPE director and artist Dr Liza McCosh with Professor Emeritus Barbara van Ernst AM at the exhibition opening. The work of Annette Iggulden features in the background.
[dropcap style=”color: #a02f2f;”] I[/dropcap]t was a point not lost on Melbourne philanthropist and Professor Emeritus Barbara van ErnstAM, who was a former head of school for visual, performing and media arts at Deakin University and who opened the exhibition.
“Their (the artists’) location within regional Victoria is important,” Professor van Ernst said.
“It is work that could stand up anywhere – there is no sense of isolation or disadvantage because of their regional location.”
Professor van Ernst also highlighted the importance of women supporting women in the arts. The exhibition not only features all women artists, but was curated by a woman (Dr Liza McCosh) in a female-owned gallery (SCOPE) and was opened by a woman. Professor van Ernst said such support was reminiscent of the Heidelberg School, and others, where male artists worked collectively to produce, exhibit and promote their work.
Artist Noela Stratford (left), Jenny Altmann and Marion Manifold. Both Noela and Marion are among the six artists included in the exhibition. Noela’s charcoal work features in the background.
David Straford, Grant Wallace and James Wallace (in front of intricate works by Marion Manifold).
Retired Deakin lecturer and artist Dr Bruce Vinall, with Victoria Dunn and Annette Iggulden who’s work features in the exhibition. (The artwork is a charcoal by Noela Stratford.)
[box] Trajectories, a travelling exhibition, will be at SCOPE Galleries until October 12. SCOPE, 38 Kelp St, Warrnambool, is open noon-5pm Thurs-Sunday.[/box]
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Warrnambool City Council spent $17,000 on a corporate hospitality tent at the May Races earlier this year. Image source: Source: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images AsiaPac
OPINION
[dropcap style=”color: #a5cecd;”] R [/dropcap]eaders will recall that earlier this year we revealed exclusively that the Warrnambool City Council spent $17,000 on hosting a corporate hospitality tent at the May Racing Carnival.
Today we can tell you who actually attended.
While the WCC has not revealed the names of those who accepted an invitation, they have released to Bluestone the positions of the 97 people who attended, which make for interesting reading.
I say interesting because, as we noted in our first story, the hospitality event is intended to do a number of things including: show support for the May Racing Carnival; promote it to senior politicians, bureaucrats and regional leaders; to discuss “strategic projects” and, lastly, develop “organisation to organisation” relationships.
Yet the guest list reveals that, of the 97 attendees, almost half (45) were connected to council either as employees, councillors (and their partners), or as members of the council’s various advisory committees.
Of the guests who accepted invitations to the marquee, half were connected to council either as staff, elected members of through advisory committees. Image: REUTERS/Victor Fraile
[dropcap style=”color: #a5cecd;”] W [/dropcap]annon MP Dan Tehan came along, as did all five State Members for Victoria, but of the nine senior government bureaucrats invited, only one – the regional manager for VicRoads – was able to make it.
Regional leaders made a better showing, with 10 representatives (including, I assume, some partners) of the Great South Coast Board attending, no doubt catching up with fellow board members Mayor Michael Neoh and Council chief executive Bruce Anson.
Opportunities to discuss “strategic projects” also looked very promising with the inclusion of 9 members of a Changchun delegation – Changchun being the Chinese sister-city to Warrnambool – but lost a little of its lustre when it was clarified that the delegation was one that would be travelling from Warrnambool to China, not the other way round.
So did we, as ratepayers, receive $17,036 worth of networking and promotional opportunities from this event, or should it be more correctly framed as an opportunity for the invitees to just relax and let their hair down? You can decide.
WARRNAMBOOL CITY COUNCIL MAY RACES HOSPITALITY MARQUEE 2014- ATTENDEES
1. WARRNAMBOOL CITY COUNCIL :
Warrnambool City Council Mayor & Councillors & Partners 16
Warrnambool City Council Chief Executive, Directors & Partners 5
2. STATE & FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLITICIANS
Federal Member for Wannon 1
State Members for Western Victoria (there are five in total) 6
3. SENIOR STATE GOVERNMENT STAFF
VicRoads, Regional Manager 1
4.REGIONAL LEADERS
Great South Coast Board Members:
Corangamite Shire 2
Glenelg Shire 2
Moyne Shire 4
Three independent board members 2
Wannon Water:
Managing director 1
Chairman 2
Education:
Deakin University, Head of Warrnambool Campus 2
Regional Tourism Board Members:
Five independent board members 3
Regional Tourism Board 1
Barwon South-West RDA Committee:
Eleven board members 4
Police:
Inspector Local Area Commander Warrnambool, Moyne, Corangamite Police Service Area 2
Health:
CEO South-West Healthcare 2
CEO Lyndoch 2
CEO and President Western District Employment Access 1
Warrnambool Cheese and Butter:
Chief Executive Officer 1
5. GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WORKING CLOSELY WITH COUNCIL:
Maddocks Lawyers 1
Members of WCC Advisory Committees:
Audit Committee 6
City Landscape Committee 2
Livestock Exchange Advisory Committee 7
International Relations Advisory Committee 6
Flagstaff Hill Advisory Committee 2
City Health and Wellbeing Advisory Committee 1
Changchun delegation group (from Warrnambool to China):
10 members of delegation and partners: 9
Commerce Warrnambool:
President 1
6. OTHERS
Cr Kelson’s business associates 2
[/box]
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Premier Dr Denis Napthine, who is also the current member for Great South Coast, hopes voters will judge him on his track record. Image: Supplied.
Dr Denis Napthine has been an MP since 1988, representing first the seat of Portland and then, under new electoral boundaries, the seat of South West Coast. He became Premier of Victoria in 2013. Having made it to the top – and after more than 25 years in office – why does he wish to run again? He writes for us to explain all:
[dropcap style=”color: #a5cecd;”] F [/dropcap]irstly, I would like to congratulate Bluestone on its first birthday.
I believe that a vote for me and my government on 29 November is a vote for a better Victoria, one that is more prosperous, smarter and more secure.
I am proud to call south-west Victoria home.
I have a proven track record of delivering for South West Coast and its communities and, if re-elected by my constituents on 29 November, will continue to do so.
Over the past three-and-a-half years I have been delivering on my 2010 election promises. These include a new school for Woolsthorpe, a pedestrian overpass over the Portland Ring Road, seven new passing lanes on the Princes Highway, a passing loop on the Melbourne to Warrnambool rail line, a new police residence at Heywood, Avgas facilities at the Portland airport, and returning local rangers to Tower Hill and Mount Eccles, among many others.
And soon a cancer centre will be a reality for the south-west. I am pleased to have helped secure funding of $15 million for this life-saving centre – a project I have been particularly passionate about.
Traffic chaos on the West Gate Bridge makes the proposed East-West link roadway essential, according to Dr Napthine. Image: ABC Online.
[dropcap style=”color: #a5cecd;”] I [/dropcap]n May’s State Budget I was able to deliver funding for a new school at Narrawong, a vital upgrade of the Woolsthorpe-Heywood road and other local roads, additional mental health beds for South West Healthcare at Warrnambool and a new community health facility at Port Fairy.
I have also announced a $4.9 million upgrade of Warrnambool airport; a $7.7 million boost for South West TAFE to allow the institute to offer affordable, accessible and high quality training programs anytime, anywhere on any device; a Master Plan for the Lady Bay area and new emergency vehicles for our hard working volunteers.
As part of the Coalition’s Fairer Water Bills Initiative, residential customers of Wannon Water will receive a $70 rebate on their water bills each financial year for the next four years.
I am also extremely proud of the work my government is doing for all Victorians.
East West Link is a vital project for all Victorians. I know that the many south-west Victorians who drive to Melbourne will benefit from this infrastructure project. How many people have been stuck in traffic waiting to get over the West Gate Bridge? Melbourne desperately needs a second river crossing and anybody who lives west of Melbourne and regularly drives to Melbourne knows that.
In terms of public transport, there are now 10,000 more public transport services per week than when we came to office; from January 1, there will be free tram travel in the CBD and Zone 1 and 2 travel for the price of a Zone 1 fare; we will build the Melbourne Rail Link and a Melbourne airport rail link as well as the $2 billion Cranbourne-Pakenham line upgrade.
Our Government is also completing the $4.1 billion regional rail link which will benefit v/line passengers from Western Victoria as well as metropolitan commuters from the western and north western Suburbs.
Dr Napthine says education has been a priority for the Coalition Government, with a record spend of $9.2 billion this year . Image: Peaceinmyhome.com
[dropcap style=”color: #a5cecd;”] A[/dropcap]s a result of the Coalition Government’s sound economic management, Victoria is the only Australian state or territory with the coveted AAA credit rating and with budget surpluses forecast across the next four years.
This careful stewardship of the state’s finances ensures there is more money available to fund the services families need now, and the important infrastructure our children and grandchildren will need in the future.
My Coalition Government is proud to be spending a record $15 billion this year on our vital health services and a record $9.2 billion on school education.
We have also increased police numbers by 1700 and put 940 PSOs on our railway stations. Our tough approach to law and order is delivering a safer community.
I am particularly proud of our proven commitment to vulnerable Victorians. Since coming to government, the Coalition has increased spending on vulnerable children and families by $900 million. This includes $100 million per annum on family violence, a 40 per cent increase since coming to government.
I am also passionate about delivering better services for people with a disability. That is why the Coalition is committed to the full rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which is now located in Geelong.
Be it here in the south-west, or more broadly across Victoria, my government is delivering the projects and programs that we need now and our children will need in the future.
That is why I urge you to support me and my government as we seek a second term on 29 November.
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After 35 years, Capricorn Records will leave the Warrnambool landscape later this month..but not without a send-off.
[dropcap style=”color: #a02f2f;”] T [/dropcap]he closure of Warrnambool’s iconic Capricorn Records later this month will not pass without an encore.
A limited-ticket, public tribute to the iconic record shop – which opened 35 years ago when records were still records- is being planned for Saturday night, September 20 at the Ozone Room, Warrnambool Hotel.
The tribute will be hosted by the Warrnambool Spinners, which is a fluid but enthusiastic collection of locals loyal to vinyl records who regularly get together to spin selections from their collections and dance until the early hours.
Capricorn Records owner Mick Fitzgerald is a Spinner, but he had no idea the tribute night was being planned and, to those who know Mick, he is not one for leaping into the limelight – unlike one of the people he physically resembles, Mick Jagger.
But as one Spinner told Bluestone, this tribute is not actually about Mick, it’s about Capricorn Records.
The shop has has been integral to the local live music scene and in broadening the musical tastes of those who grew up buying the “latest Top 40 single” and coming away with, at the very least, subliminal exposure to the Rolling Stones, Dylan, Van Morrison or whoever else was being played on the shop turntable at the time.
The Capricorn Records shop windows reflect its wide-ranging collection of stock: if you can name even half these faces, you are a potential Spinner in the making.
[dropcap style=”color: #a02f2f;”] M [/dropcap]y how times have changed, but Mick knew the writing was on the wall.
When Bluestone – before we were Bluestone – visited his shop back in the early 2000s, he spoke about the emergence of mp3 players and digital music. Then along came streaming…
Capricorn eventually moved out of its Liebig St location, which was previously Kris Kerr Records (and is now Kathmandu), into the much smaller Koroit St store.
But even that shop has proven too big for the seismic shift in how we buy and consume music. It is impossible to stop change, but it doesn’t mean we can’t mourn the passing of an era.
Capricorn Records will close on September 26.
[box] There will be only 100 tickets available to the Capricorn tribute night, at $5 per head. As a Bluestone reader, you have early access to tickets before they are offered to the wider public. Simply email royreekie@googlemail.com and say you read it in Bluestone to reserve a place.[/box]
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Artist Megan Nicolson (with one of her softie creations called a Babbit) returned to Warrnambool three years ago to find the local art scene on an upswing: “I was surrounded by artistic people doing amazing things and it was just wonderful.”
[dropcap style=”color: #a02f2f;”] I[/dropcap]t is one year exactly since we named Warrnambool artist Megan (‘Megsie’) Nicolson as our very first Quiet Hero and promised to tell you more about her … boy, is she one hard artist to catch!
Like everybody we chat to for Bluestone, Megan was determined to leave the limelight to others, but we are nothing if not persistent, particularly when it comes to someone who has been a quiet but energetic force in reviving the local community arts scene.
It is three years since Megan returned to Warrnambool, where she graduated in Fine Art at Deakin University as a young student straight from her home town of Macarthur, and the reunion between the city and the artist has been one of enriching, mutual benefit.
“When I returned here, I started doing my art again: I was surrounded by artistic people doing amazing things and it was just wonderful,” she says.
It had been a 10-year hiatus from visual art for Megan, not because she didn’t love it, but because the momentum of her earlier years had been lost.
Megan’s watercolours, reflecting her love of the natural, botanical world. “I get bored easily,” she says of her desire to work in different mediums.
[dropcap style=”color: #a02f2f;”] I[/dropcap]n her student days, working under the guidance of artists such as Bruce Vinall and Ron Quick, Megan developed her talent as an oil painter who loved to work on big portraits and murals. One of her earliest works, a mural with Gareth Colliton, is still at South West Healthcare.
She later completed a teaching degree and worked as a relief art teacher at Hawkesdale High School (her old school) before embarking on a 10-year “tour” with her husband, Lachlan, an ecologist and academic, to various work opportunities in Canberra, Adelaide and Mt Gambier.
While in Canberra, Megan secured a position with the Canberra Museum and Art Gallery which sounds like the dream job for an artist and it was, except for one small problem.
“It was amazing. I got to talk about art all day and to listen to great artists, but I stopped painting,” Megan says.
Why?
“Because after hearing and seeing all of these great artists, I thought ‘gee, I’m no good compared to them’ and I had no confidence.”
A basket full of unique softies, using recycled fabrics from op-shops, the Warrnambool Woollen Mill, Fletcher Jones and local textile artists.
[dropcap style=”color: #a02f2f;”] A[/dropcap] crisis of confidence, a lack of a studio space and, eventually, a lack of time from having four children (now aged 3 – 10) kept Megan’s visual art firmly in the background, but she maintained the sewing skills that came with her genes.
“I have always been a good sewer and come from a family of sewers, so that became my creative outlet when I was a Mum. I get bored really quickly, so I needed to be doing something,” she explains.
Megan began to make – and sell online – unique soft toys, known as “softies” or Babbits that are designed to have their ears sucked, their legs pulled, and to be crushed, squashed, washed, and spun around with joy.
All of the materials are recycled, including the filling, and, if you look closely at those she makes today, you might spot pieces of original screen-printed fabrics by Ruby Richardson or Danielle O’Brien, or offcuts from Fletcher Jones and the Warrnambool Woollen Mill.
“When people ask me what I do, I say I am a toy maker,” Megan laughs.
But, of course, this is now only one layer to her creativity.
A sewer lives here – Megan’s studio in The Artery is full of eclectic examples of her tools of trade.
[dropcap style=”color: #a02f2f;”] M[/dropcap] egan returned to Warrnambool in 2011 to find the art scene emerging from somewhat of a slump. The highly successful The F Project art collective was just establishing itself and Megan became its vice-president for the next three years (she only recently stepped down).
Inspired by the creative energy around her, Megan began to “practice” visual art again and now moves between printmaking, oils, watercolours, textiles and her softies.
“As I say, I get bored really easily and so I keep moving on – I want to try it all!”
Her timing has proven to be perfect.
“They say that cultural activity rises in a politically charged environment and we are seeing that with The Artery, Art Four, what’s happening at the Warrnambool Art Gallery and Scope, etc: that culture is coming to the fore and is being embraced by a footy mad town.
“It’s an exciting time”.
Megan in her studio at The Artery with members of her other “family” that have long legs and ears designed for sucking and pulling.
[box] You can see more of Megan’s work on her Facebook page, Pint and at The Artery, 218 Timor St, Warrnambool. One of Megan’s Babbits will be given away as part of our birthday celebration prizes – stay tuned for details via our Facebook page.[/box]
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