Went to see the exhibition titled 'America' at the AGNSW.
2 stars.
Underwhelming.
That is all.
BBC 4 Reith Lectures with Grayson Perry
Thanks to the recommendation of my fellow artist friend Tom Doherty, I've been listening to the BBC's 2013 Reith Lectures delivered by artist Grayson Perry.
The award-winning artist Grayson Perry presents the 2013 BBC Reith Lectures, titled Playing to the Gallery. Across four programmes he discusses what makes him an artist, the limits of contemporary art, how to gauge the quality of new artworks and the future of the avant-garde.
For any artist speculating on what it means to be an artist living in the 21st Century, these four lectures are thoroughly worth listening to and delivered in an entertaining and often hilarious way. Grayson Perry has come to prominence as a ceramic artist and transvestite whose alter egos are often colourful, whimsical and often very funny.
Maxx helping me paint.
New Studio
This week, I collected the keys to my new studio in Lawson which was in dire need of a paint job. For three years, I have been working out of a converted garage which is part of our current house. It has served me well but I have been dreaming of something larger, separate and away from attention mad pet dogs (which I love, but can't convince not to bark and scratch on the door!)
The new space is roughly 6 x 6 metres and gives me plenty of room to experiment with other media and techniques. Most importantly, it is away from the internet and temptations which add to the terrible state of procrastination.... just how many cups of tea do I really need during the day?!
Aftermath
Part of being in the Blue Mountains, especially in summer, is the awareness of bush fires and how quickly they may devastate a community. In October, coverage of fires in the mountains remained steady on news programs while the sound of choppers passing our house made it all too real.
This year, we saw the worst fires in a decade. Over 200 homes were destroyed in the region and we were put on alert here in Wentworth Falls when several fire trucks parked outside our home stating that if the wind changed, in all likelihood the fire would rise up from the valley and head along our street. Neighbours have been through these fires here twice before, so we were taking cues from them and blocking the downpipes on the roof, packing our valuables in the car and remaining vigilant. Thankfully, the fires did not reach us, but the experience made it all too real and we are better prepared for future events.
Last weekend we drove to Mount Victoria to witness some of the devastation. The first thing I noticed getting out of the car was the acrid smell of smoke lingering and seeping from the landscape. The blackening of tree trunks and the orange colours of burnt foliage was a striking vision and held its own kind of beauty, however tragic. I needed to remind myself that bush fires have an integral part of regeneration in the landscape which is offset by the tragedy that anybody should lose their home.
