Thanks to the generosity of Mr David Coleby, (a long time volunteer at the Cultural Centre & collector of my artwork), I have been commissioned a set of works to be included in the Blue Mountains Cultural Centres permanent collection. This initiative came about earlier in the year via the gallery director Paul Brinkman, who wrote to inform me that an anonymous donor had put forward a proposition to have my work included in the permanent collection. It is an honour to be asked and it represents a milestone for me in my career as a local Blue Mountains Artist.
At the unveiling, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Dec 8th 2017. Cultural Centre Director Paul Brinkman (Far Left), Rae Druitt (Centre Front) & David Coleby (Far Right)
The four works; ‘Maranatha’, ‘Grassfire’, ‘The Sacrament of a Pause’ and ‘The Language of Trees Verse VIII’ are a continuation of a theme I’ve been exploring for several years. Not only are the works a token of respect to nature and the varied forms and fragments found in nature, the artworks are an attempt to find equilibrium in my personal inner and outer world. At no other time in my life have I noticed the extent to which we are besieged by a dissonance of noise and visual pollution; from garish advertising, to our incessant scrolling on social media, to the chronic noise blared at us in shopping malls, radio stations and on TV... our lives are too loud! The artworks I create are dutifully quiet and meditative, likened to a whisper, to draw you in closer to reestablish a connection with nature, where the quietude can work as a panacea to the clamor of our lives.
'Grassfire' 2017 Paper, Grass tree stems, Protea fluff 44cm x 44cm. Photography by Graeme Wienand
The materials collected and utilised in the works have gone through a process to sustain their longevity. The fragments of nature were placed in a deep freezer for several weeks prior to being used in order to stave off the growth of any microbial organisms. Most of the elements were then coated in a watered down archival PVA glue to seal them. The works are not a series, as such, but collectively, navigate our attention to the importance and necessity to pay homage to the natural world.
'The Language of Trees Verse VIII' Paper, Gum nuts, straw 44cm x 44cm Photography by Graeme Wienand
My deepest gratitude again to David and Rae for their continued support over the years. Thank you also to Neil Haigh of Hoptree Framing, Wentworth Falls for the custom framing.