Today began with a short meditation and set up of the studio, some 'morning pages' (a daily writing exercise offered by author Julia Cameron) and a big bowl of cereal.
The studio floor is an asymmetrical palette of past colours laid down by previous artists who work at their craft on the floor. There is something comforting to me being around this evidence of creativity, as if the room itself grants permission to let things 'flow'. All the while I am at my desk, cutting up pieces of paper, devising ways I can have a studio this size when I return to the Blue Mountains. What luxury! The psychological and physical space to create work corresponds to, and governs the type of artwork which may come into this world. A Tiny cramped and windowless studio does not make for very inspiring artwork.
Bundanon Residency Day 1
Three hours from home, the Bundanon Trust property is a welcoming paradise of lush pastures, quiet cottages and historic homesteads. I am staying in the 'Gonski' house which shares a kitchen with another resident, Jess. A converted barn as studio, contiguous to sleeping accommodation is large enough for two people to work and has an beautiful aspect overlooking wet green fields where cattle graze among the many kangaroo. The generous deposits of poo outside my deck is evidence of an abundance of wombats. Birds of many variety pierce the silence with their calls and compete with the rich baritone wailing of the cows.
Unfortunately, the weather remains quite wet with intermittent showers which prevents me from wandering around too much and collecting natural materials. Thankfully, there is no TV do abstain from which makes reading an effortless activity, especially when I am not feeling too well. My first day at Bundanon may be rather hermetic and horizontal (They have a wonderfully comfortable couch and wing back chair).
There are several pianos here at Bundanon which cater to the many musicians who visit. I'm looking forward to practising and I'm glad I had the foresight to bring along my music books.
There is a short walk to a natural amphitheatre not far from the musicians cottage. A huge moss covered rock face towers over the secluded spot. Wild orchids are in flower clinging to the rock and past 'explorers' have made makeshift benches and small sculptures to accommodate a group should they wish to be seated in this spectacular nook.
Off on an adventure!
Tomorrow morning I am driving to the south coast to Nowra, then on to the Bundanon Property to participate in the residency program. The suitcase is almost packed & the studio has been sifted through for what I may need to work with while I am there. Plenty of art books too for evening inspiration. (Hoping there is no TV!)
I am looking forward to collecting natural materials from a different climate to the one I find myself in at Wentworth Falls. Lets hope I return to the mountains with a box of snap-baggies full of natural goodies. I've been cautioned about the need for Aeroguard, being near a river, but I'm wondering what on earth I'll use to prevent Bunyips getting to me in the middle of nowhere?
Some of the creative folk at Bundanon in September
The following passage is how the Bundanon Residency Program came to be........
“Arthur and Yvonne Boyd’s gift of the Bundanon properties and collections has given Australia a unique cultural and environmental asset. The gift was borne out of Arthur Boyd’s often stated belief that ‘you can’t own a landscape’ and the deeply felt wish that others might also draw inspiration from Bundanon. Gifted to the Australian people in 1993 by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd the Bundanon property (which includes the Bundanon Homestead site and the Riversdale site) is located on 1,100 hectares of pristine bush land overlooking the Shoalhaven River, near Nowra in New South Wales, two and a half hours south of Sydney. The Australian Government established Bundanon Trust as a wholly owned Australian Government company limited by guarantee, with the Company holding the gift as a charitable trust. The Trust’s Board of Directors reports directly to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, who in turn appoints the Chairperson and the Directors.”
On art criticism and judgement.
The most recent edition of Artist Profile Magazine (issue 24) has a feature on a forum held at the Museum of Contemporary art which brought together artists, curators and critics in a discussion about judgement, what it is and do we need it. Here are some video excepts of the forum.
