With an interest in 'Collective Unconscious' Nagel aims to explore the human condition, and our impact on the natural world / This figure embodies human and animal traits with semi-autobiographical references to investigate concepts relating to identity and home / Nagel focuses on the extinct, the pest, the endangered and the introduced as a way to reveal her concerns of humanity as creator and destroyer / In this sculpture a koala headed figure is in the pose of the martyr St. Sebastion / With no arms, there is an inability to protest or fight. This work is by a local contemporary artist and encompasses contemporary themes / This work was a finalist in the Nillumbik Prize 2012.Ceramic - sculpture human and animal like (koala) armless figure depicted standing in a similiar stance to that of a classical sculpture / Blue and white body with a yellow face / Made from porcelain with oxide, clear glaze and undergaze.nagel, sculpture, porcelain, animal, ceramic, classical

'Waking Time' is part of the series ' So when do you throw the flowers out?', which exhibited at Melbourne's Alcaston Gallery from 8 May - 1 June 2012.In this series Dena Ashbolt used photographic pigment prints, video and Raku Nu ceramic funery urn drawings, to explore time as evidenced by movement and references the beauty of aging. Ashbolt has a continuing interest engaging with the concepts of time, its flow and passing - as evident in this series. Ashbolt has been a regular finalist at the Nillumbik Prize Contemporary Art and in 2009 was awarded the Prize for the video drawing 'Wet Feet Under the Pier'. Ashbolt is a inter-disciplinary artist whose practice ranges from photography and printmaking through to filmmaking and collaborative performance projects.Pigment Print on Hahnemuhle Paper Edition of 7AK18136 PNT817dena ashbolt, photographic print

'Countless Daughters' is part of the series ' So when do you throw the flowers out?', which exhibited at Melbourne's Alcaston Gallery from 8 May - 1 June 2012In this series Dena Ashbolt used photographic pigment prints, video and Raku Nu ceramic funery urn drawings, to explore time as evidenced by movement and references the beauty of aging. Ashbolt has a continuing interest engaging with the concepts of time, its flow and passing - as evident in this series. Ashbolt has been a regular finalist at the Nillumbik Prize Contemporary Art and in 2009 was awarded the Prize for the video drawing 'Wet Feet Under the Pier'. Ashbolt is a inter-disciplinary artist whose practice ranges from photography and printmaking through to filmmaking and collaborative performance projects. Pigment Print on Hahnemuhle Paper Edition of 7AK18137 PNT809photographic pigment prints, dena ashbolt

Pamela Irving (born 1960) is a prominent Australian visual artist specialising in bronze, ceramic and mosaic sculptures as well as printmaking and copper etchings. Irving's early art was influenced by artists including Arthur Boyd, John Brack, Noel Connihan, Mirka Mora, Sidney Nolan and John Perceval. In recent years, Irving has been influenced ″by the honest and direct expressiveness of ‘outsider art’ (the art of self-taught or ‘naive artists’) and the craft of ‘memoryware’″ Significantly, this interest grew following Irving's visit to Nek Chand's Rock Garden in Chandigarh, India.Green Wedge Larry - dog sculpture reminiscent of the iconic Larry LaTrobe located at Melbourne City Square. The dog is constructed from Italian Bisazza glass tiles, using a Mapei adhesive system. The theme for his 'coat' is the flora from the local surrounds of Nillumbik, drawing from the 'Live Local Plant Local' Nillumbik plant directory.green wedge, larry, dog, sculpture, mosaic, indigenous flora, irving

This bowl is part of a series completed in 1994 on the subject of the sin of 'Vanity' / A smug looking woman flirts coquettishly with a manservant who helps her to put on her shoes / The people depicted on the bowl are dressed in 18th century costumes / The court of Marie Antoinette of France is evoked / The blue and white drawing is in the style of 18th century woodblock prints and was drawn freehand / The bowl is signed and dated on the base / The technique is traditional tin glaze (majolica, maiolica or delft) / Coloured oxides were painted onto a clear glaze which had been opacified with tin oxide, and then fired at 900 degrees / The bowl was exhibited at Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne in 1994 / A bowl from the 'Vanity' series is held in the Collection of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston, Tasmania. Copeland's parents are John and Betty Hipwell, one of the founding members of Potters Cottage (an influential ceramic collective that grew out of Nillumbik) / Copeland grew up surrounded by this artform. Reg Preston (another founding member of Potter's Cottage) introduced her to the Majolica technique which has influenced her ceramic work to this day / This bowl is characteristic of Copeland's speciality and mastery of the Majolica technique. This bowl is hand painted with an image of a couple flirting (man-left side and woman-centre) in 18th century French dress / Decorative circle and polka dot pattern along the rim and underside of the bowl / The bowl is predominantly painted in cobalt blue and orange colour using the Majolica (maiolica or delft) technique; a traditional tinglaze method of application. Coloured oxides are painted onto a clear glaze which has been opacified with tin oxide / The bowl is then fired at 900 degrees.Underside has in colbalt blue artist signature and date / 'A. Copeland . 1.9.1994'.copeland, earthenware, majolica, potters cottage, vanity, bowl, eighteen century, french, marie antoinette

Nettleton creates an image of peace and tranquility after the violence felt from the 2009 Black Saturday bush fires / At the Arthurs Creek cemetery Nettleton found the grave of Reg Evans and Angela Brunton, friends who had perished in the fires / Nettleton sat on the edge of their joint grave and photographed their view / It was only after examining the photos more closely that she realized Mount Sugarloaf had burnt almost to the valley / Sugarloaf is always in an indigo haze. This work is by a local contemporary artist and encompasses themes dealing with the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Mixed media (acrylic paint, acrylic ink and indian ink) on board / Landscape painting of Mount Sugarloaf and green pastures after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires / Mount Sugarloaf is depicted in an indigo haze in the background / A line of trees bathed in light border the mountain's edge / Lines of trees parallel to each other jut out diagonally in the foreground / Framing this view of the landscape is a pattern (topographical maps of the Nillumbik area), which suggest the vast extent of the devastated area of landscape. In black marker 'LIZ NETTLETON' + artist signature '2011' on back - middle right side nettleton, respite and repose, landscape, painting, mixed media, black saturday, mount sugarloaf

Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father. When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her took them back to Russia to visit her own parents. In the following fateful year, Stalin came into power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its borders. At the age of twenty three, 1944, Alice entered Moscow's Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics. Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her. At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts. Alice said 'My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive'. Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the age of 60.This lithographic print is one of a set of ten produced at Dunmoochin at the time of Clifton Pugh.Black and white lithograph on paper depicting the elaborate stone and wrought iron (open) gate/ entrance to Pugh's artist colony 'Dunmoochin' situated at Cottles Bridge. Bottom left of print: ed. no. '4/10' and work title. Bottom right of print: artist signature 'Alice Blanch '04'chehovski, dunmoochin, pugh, gate, fire, lithograph

Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father. When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her took them back to Russia to visit her own parents. In the following fateful year, Stalin came into power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its borders. At the age of twenty three, 1944, Alice entered Moscow's Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics. Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her. At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts. Alice said 'My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive'. Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the age of 60.This lithographic print is one of a set of ten produced at Dunmoochin at the time of Clifton Pugh.Black and white lithograph on paper depicting the elaborate stone and wrought iron (open) gate/ entrance to Pugh's artist colony 'Dunmoochin' situated at Cottles Bridge.Bottom left of print: ed. no. '4/10' and work title. Bottom right of print: artist signature 'Alice Blanch '04'chehovski, dunmoochin, pugh, sunlight, lithograph

Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father. When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her took them back to Russia to visit her own parents. In the following fateful year, Stalin came into power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its borders. At the age of twenty three, 1944, Alice entered Moscow's Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics. Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her. At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts. Alice said 'My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive'. Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the age of 60.This lithographic print is one of a set of ten produced at Dunmoochin at the time of Clifton Pugh.Lithographic print in black and white (very dark image) detailing Clifton Pugh's garden at Dunmoochin.Bottom left of print: ed. no. '4/10' and work title. Bottom right of print: artist signature 'Alice Blanch '04'chehovski, dunmoochin, pugh, garden, lithograph

Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father. When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her took them back to Russia to visit her own parents. In the following fateful year, Stalin came into power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its borders. At the age of twenty three, 1944, Alice entered Moscow's Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics. Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her. At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts. Alice said 'My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive'. Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the age of 60.This lithographic print is one of a set of ten produced at Dunmoochin at the time of Clifton Pugh.Lithographic print in black and white depicting the Print Studio at Dunmoochin.Bottom left of print: ed. no. '4/10' and work title. Bottom right of print: artist signature 'Alice Blanch '04'chehovski, dunmoochin, pugh, studio, lithograph

Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father. When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her took them back to Russia to visit her own parents. In the following fateful year, Stalin came into power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its borders. At the age of twenty three, 1944, Alice entered Moscow's Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics. Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her. At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts. Alice said 'My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive'. Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the age of 60. This lithographic print is one of a set of ten produced at Dunmoochin at the time of Clifton Pugh.Lithographic print in black and white detailing the Artist's Gallery at Dunmoochin, located within bush surrounds at Cottles BridgeBottom left of print: ed. no. '4/10' and work title. Bottom right of print: artist signature 'Alice Blanch '04'chehovski, dunmoochin, pugh, gallery, lithograph

Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father. When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her Mother took them back to Russia to visit her own parents. In the following fateful year, Stalin came into power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its borders. At the age of twenty three, 1944, Alice entered Moscow's Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics. Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her. At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts. Alice said 'My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive'. Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the age of 60. This lithographic print is one of a set of ten produced at Dunmoochin.Lithographic print in black and white depicting Gate # 1 at Dunmoochin. Bottom left of print: ed. no. '4/10' and work title. Bottom right of print: artist signature 'Alice Blanch '04'chehovski, dunmoochin, pugh, gate 1, lithograph

Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father. When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her took them back to Russia to visit her own parents. In the following fateful year, Stalin came into power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its borders. At the age of twenty three, 1944, Alice entered Moscow's Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics. Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her. At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts. Alice said 'My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive'. Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the age of 60.This lithographic print is one of a set of ten produced at Dunmoochin at the time of Clifton Pugh.Lithographic print in black and white depicting bushland and a pond reflecting light.Bottom left of print: ed. no. '4/10' and work title. Bottom right of print: artist signature 'Alice Blanch '04'chehovski, dunmoochin, pugh, pond, lithograph

Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father. When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her took them back to Russia to visit her own parents. In the following fateful year, Stalin came into power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its borders. At the age of twenty three, 1944, Alice entered Moscow's Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics. Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her. At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts. Alice said 'My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive'. Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the age of 60.This lithographic print is one of a set of ten produced at Dunmoochin at the time of Clifton Pugh.Print - lithographBottom left of print: ed. no. '4/10' and work title. Bottom right of print: artist signature 'Alice Blanch '04'chehovski, dunmoochin, pugh, garden, evening, lithograph

Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father. When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her took them back to Russia to visit her own parents. In the following fateful year, Stalin came into power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its borders. At the age of twenty three, 1944, Alice entered Moscow's Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics. Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her. At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts. Alice said 'My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive'. Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the age of 60.This lithographic print is one of a set of ten produced at Dunmoochin at the time of Clifton Pugh.Lithographic print in black and white (dark image) detailing the interior of Clifton Pugh's house at Dunmoochin. Bottom left of print: ed. no. '4/10' and work title. Bottom right of print: artist signature 'Alice Blanch '04'chehovski, dunmoochin, pugh, interior, house, lithograph

Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father. When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her took them back to Russia to visit her own parents. In the following fateful year, Stalin came into power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its borders. At the age of twenty three, 1944, Alice entered Moscow's Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics. Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her. At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts. Alice said 'My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive'. Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the age of 60. This lithographic print is one of a set of ten produced at Dunmoochin at the time of Clifton Pugh.Lithographic print in black and white (very dark image) depicting Chehovskis' cottage at Dunmoochin. Small cottage, bushland and shrubs.Bottom left of print: ed. no. '4/10' and work title. Bottom right of print: artist signature 'Alice Blanch '04'chehovski, dunmoochin, pugh, cottage, lithograph

This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. This lithograph comes from a series of still life by Wegner from the early 80's; a subject matter in which he has not returned to. Wegner is well known for his drawings and enjoys the immediate and directness of the process. He sees the drawn image as an experience of observation, with the content revealing the process of its making. Lithographic print - still life in black and white. Details several kitchen/household items: spoon, tea pot, egg holder, cup and saucer, bowl, chop sticks and mandarin.Lower far left: 'A/P'; Low centre: 'Mandarin on Kitchen Table'; Lower far right: 'PW 83'wegner, lithograph, still life, black and white, utensils, table, fruit, print

Pugh was one of many artists who brought an Australian experience to attention. This work reveals the colour, textures, harshness and inhabitants of the natural bush, with the angular forms found on the ‘black birds’ dominating the composition with dramatic effect. Shanahan, Albert Tucker, Frank Werther and Fred Williams have at one time settled and or work there. Untitled (Black Birds) from the Bodford Terrace Suite 1978, created by Clifton Pugh - a celebrated Australian artist known for his landscapes and portraiture as well as (three-time) winner of Australia’s Archibald Prize. This piece plays a significant role within the Nillumbik Shire Collection due to Pugh’s strong connection to the local land where he settled in Cottle’s Bridge in 1951, purchasing 15 acres and named it Dunmoochin. Artists, potters and others settled at Dunmoochin and formed the Dunmoochin Artists Co-operative in order to collectively protect the land. Numerous renowned artists worked or resided at Dunmoochin including: Rick Amor, Fred Williams, Albert Tucker, Frank Hodgkinson, Mirka Mora, John Olsen, John Percival and John Howley amongst others. Upon his death in 1990 he left an art collection and extensive properties at Dunmoochin to be appreciated and utilised by artists for years to come lithographic print on French Arches paper. Dynamic and expressive depiction of black birds in flight on far left of composition, cropped elements of Australian landscape in blue and red in the background (trees, shrubs, rocks). Inscribed lower right 'Clifton'; 1:1; 179/300clifton pugh, bodford suite, dunmoochin

Pugh was one of many artists who brought an Australian experience to attention. His landscapes reveal the colour and textures of the natural bush, often with a dramatic emphasis. His reference to the harshness of the bush consistently arises, with angular forms dominating the composition. White Choughs in the Landscape is typical of his representations of the bush as a dynamic environment. White Choughs in the Landscape, 1958, created by Clifton Pugh - a celebrated Australian artist known for his landscapes and portraiture as well as (three-time) winner of Australia’s Archibald Prize. This piece plays a significant role within the Nillumbik Shire Collection due to Pugh’s strong connection to the local land where he settled in Cottle’s Bridge in 1951, purchasing 15 acres and named it Dunmoochin. Artists, potters and others settled at Dunmoochin and formed the Dunmoochin Artists Co-operative in order to collectively protect the land. Numerous renowned artists worked or resided at Dunmoochin including: Rick Amor, Fred Williams, Albert Tucker, Frank Hodgkinson, Mirka Mora, John Olsen, John Percival and John Howley amongst others. Upon his death in 1990 he left an art collection and extensive properties at Dunmoochin to be appreciated and utilised by artists for years to come White Choughs in the Landscape is typical of Pughs' representations of the bush as a dynamic environment. The brittleness and fragility of the landscape is recorded in the surface of the work, where paint is applied in thin layers.Signed 'Clifton Sept. 1958'clifton pugh, dunmoochin, white choughs

Mary-Lou began exhibiting in the mid 1980s and over the years has been involved in producing unique pieces as well as developing a large range of domestic ware. In 1984, six months after graduating from a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Phillip Institute of Technology, Mary-Lou was invited to present a solo exhibition at Devise Gallery in South Melbourne. This objective, she says, compelled her to find a studio and was an incentive to focus on developing her ceramic practice independently.Mary-Lou Pittard holds close ties to the Shire of Nillumbik - living and working within Eltham. Her Eltham North Mudbrick Studio employed 5 assistants until recently when Mary-Lou and partner Chris Pittard have scaled down operations. They now produce everything themselves and find that this enables them to focus on producing unique, sculptural ceramic works. Mary-Lou is currently exploring the fine qualities of porcelain and combining these with her ongoing passion for decorative colour and form. 'Decorative Bowl' is a wheel-thrown/moulded bowl, oblong in shape and has been manipulated by hand. Narrow sections have been incised from the main body, perhaps a practical design feature for air circulation, and the rim has been altered to form a jagged edge. Bold colourful shapes decorate the interior of the bowl. They have been applied directly to the bisque surface and subsequently covered with a transparent glaze which protects them and enhances their permanency.mary-lou pittard, ceramic, chris pittard, eltham, nillumbik

Mary-Lou began exhibiting in the mid 1980s and over the years has been known for producing unique pieces of domestic ware influenced by food and traditional ceramic ware of the past.Food and tradition have always played a big part in Mary Lou’s ceramic work. 'Serving Platter' is rich in colour. The decorative designs are inspired by her surroundings in a style reminiscent of the past. Mary-Lou and husband Chris have a studio and gallery attached to their residential property in Eltham North which is open to the public. They also participate in the Nillumbik Artists Open Studios program. Oval platter with bold, stylised flowers glazed in reds, blues and yellows.mary-lou pittard, eltham, nillumbik, ceramic

Chris Pittard is a painter who has been working with clay for over 15 years. Pittard studied Fine Arts at RMIT and VCA and has exhibited paintings for a number of years. Pittard divides his time between teaching, drawing and painting and working in the ceramics studio where he creates distinctive pieces. Chris Pittard's ceramic pieces translate the narrative to the vessel. His vessels speak to us about our place and even his personal stories become more universal expressions.In early 2005 there was a flood which raged through the creeks cutting through the Shire of Nillumbik (Eltham). Not usually affected by catastrophe, these surging waters destroyed bridges and threatened roads. When the water subsided along the banks of the creek, trees had fallen, flotsam and jetsam piled up and even weeks later the long grass flattened by the flood continued to map the raging waters flow. The combination of slightly threatening and destructive forces and eerie beauty interested me. This at a time when world events of a far more horrific and tragic nature where presented to us by strangely beautiful coloured photos in our daily papers. These connections may not be obvious but it was certainly something I was thinking about while making this ceramic piece.flood, chris pittard, eltham, nillumbik

Walter Magilton's professional painting career is highlighted by numerous solo exhibitions, five of which have been in Great Britain. He has also won countless prizes, which include many 'Best in Show' awards. Walter is represented in a great number of private and corporate national and international collections, including ART Bank, in approximately twelve countries.This painting is a one of a series of approximately eight works of the river at Warrandyte and the local creeks, with particular emphasis on the reflections in the water and of the wattle growing along the banks. I was particularly inspired by Penleigh Boyde who did similar work while living in Warrandyte in the early 1920s.'Sunlight and Shadows, Warrandyte' is an oil on canvas painting depicting the Warrandyte landscape, featuring a winding creek with beautiful reflections cast upon it. The colour palate comprises muted green and earth tones, with a vivid aqua for reflective water.walter magilton, nillumbik, warrandyte

Nicholas Nedelkopoulos is an established artist, his work is represented in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the National Gallery of Australia and in numerous International and Australian Public and Private Collections. His work has been included in major historic exhibitions: the National Gallery of Australia's Federation touring exhibition, The Australian Bicentennial Folio and Victoria's 150th Anniversary exhibition curated at The State Library of Victoria and National Gallery of Victoria. He has a Diploma of Fine Arts from Victorian College of the Arts, a Master of Fine Art from the University of Melbourne (Victorian College of the Arts) and has a Doctorate from Monash University. Nedelkopoulos' work is based strongly in graphic tradition which can be seen throughout all of his media.'The Sneeze' alludes to a feverish response, an irritation, a period of temporary discomfort, or a sign of sickness. On a visit to Eltham in 1995 Nedelkopoulos became aware of the disquiet felt by many residents because local government was not in the hands of elected representatives. 'The Sneeze' is an allegorical work, which serves as a reminder of this period in our municipal history. Nedelkopoulos has constructed an environment similar to a theatre set in which every element is a symbol to be deciphered. Whether you read the red-nosed figure as democracy being challenged by the political circumstance, as representing the unelected commissioners surrounded by the criticism of the community, or as another player in the story, to unravel the meaning of individual elements will provide direction and add weight to your interpretation. Without knowledge of the artist's intention the work can convey quite straightforward messages and responses. For example, the misery of hayfever in Spring, or how germs spread from a single sneeze. Such ideas are relevant and provide the metaphoric basis for a more in-depth analysis.Pastel drawing on paper. Image depicts a small black figure with a small monkey on a lead. The figure has a red nose to which he is holding a tissue. He is walking through what appears to be a flowering forest.nedelkopoulos, the sneeze

Created during her residency at Laughing Waters, Ash, the performance is a response to concurring world events and continues Orr's practice of using her own body as the site for creating provocative imagery. In Ash, she explored a familiar theme - our relationship with the environment. The audience was are asked to peer inside a rough wooden hut where Orr laid motionless on a coffin-like slab. The floor was strewn with forest litter and her own body, covered in ashes, carried text messages as reflections on human suffering, in particular the plight of refugees in Australia.Photograph - cibachrome depicting the artist Jill Orr in a reclined position, swathed in fabric. There is black text all over her body carrying messages about war and the plight of refugees.laughing waters, jill orr, ash

A typical Olsen painting combines an implied aerial view with an ambiguous and seemingly unpremeditated figuration. His characteristically quizzical line and irregular squiggles and dots deftly render countless organisms, large and minute. Their environment is conjured through loosely brushed and stained expanses of colour (on canvas or hardboard) and lines which sometimes read as geological mappings. In Olsen's work there is no foreground/ middle ground/ background, nor any sign of European landscape's concern with "human scale." Instead he employs simultaneously the contrary vantages of naturalist and geographer. 'Tropical Rain Shower' by John Olsen forms one of the eight artworks represented in the Bodford Terrace Suite. Eight of Australia's finest artists were brought together to create a folio of lithographic prints to celebrate the restoration of historic Bodford Terrace. Printed at the Druckma Press by John Robinson under the supervision of master printer Jock Abbott. The folio edition was limited to 300 signed and numbered folios. The lithographs were printed on special heavy weight french Arche's paper in accordance with the tradition of this artistic medium. Lithographic print on paper.Signed John Olsen '78, lower right hand corner. Edition 179/300bodfford terrace collection, john olsen, tropical rain shower

Brian was born in Melbourne in 1949. Early life was spent in the stimulating bush environment in Montrose. Ramon Horsefield saw a spark and Brian began to paint in oils at the age of thirteen. He contunued tuition with Graham Moore, in class and at night classes. An Art Diploma at Swinburne was not completed. This did not crush his creative spirit and he resumed tuition with Graham Moore. Within a few years he was winning prizes. Many and varied jobs allowed him to survive whilst aspiring to become a full time painter and bring up his growing family. In 1977 Brian resigned from his last employment as a picture framer. He leased a shop in Main St, Mornington and set up classes. Brian taught painting and had his own studio behind the school. Later he was to move and build his "bushland gothic" home in North Warrandyte. Here he developed his reputation as a painter. Brian had his first solo exhibition in 1979. Many more were to follow. He has won many prizes, was a finalist in the 1992 Moran Portrait prize. The Alice Bale Scholarship which he won, entailed a year traveling and studying in Europe. Brian returned home in 1996. Sharing his skills with many students over the years, he taught privately and at various art societies. His oils, pastels and charcoals capture the light of landscape, portrails and nudes. In 2012 it will be thirty-five years since Brian has had a "real job". At times this has been really difficult. He is now semi retired after suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis for a decade. Now he paints what he loves to. His portraits capture the very essence of the sitter. In 2009 he remarried and moved back into the bushland of North Warrandyte. 'Duet' by Brian E. Armstrong was donated by the Artist to the Eltham Copper Butterfly Appeal Auction.Oil on canvas painting depicting a 'Duet' scene with two children. One is shown playing the flute whilst the other is playing the piano. The painting is fashioned in sombre colours and muted tones, with alternating tones of violet prominent.Signed- Brian E. Armstrong '87 On label - artist's name: Brian E. Armstrong Address: 844.2925 Title of Painting: Duet Medium: Oil on canvas On Frame: 82 enclosed in circle. 31 1/2. C Enclosed in circlebrian e. armstrong

David Armfield studied at the National Gallery School in the 1940s and turned to full time painting in 1965. RMIT printamking. He has won several art awards, including the Ramsay Prize - NGV School, the Redcliffe and in 1980 the Eltham Prize. Armfield is represented in the National Gallery collection, Art Gallery of NSW, Tasmanian Art Gallery, several regional art galleries across Australia as well as private collections. David Armfield first came to Eltham in the late 1903s on painting trips and used to camp on the banks of the Diamond Creed. He returned to Eltham in 1957 with his wife Joan who has subsequently become one of the district's potters, and built a mud brick house and studio in John Street on land adjoining Peter Glass. He has painted many landscapes in the district including intimate studies of the bush floor and the aftermath of bush fires.Oil on canvas painting depicting a Panton Hill bush scape.Signed: D. Armfield in lower right hand corner. Not dated.david armfield, eltham art prize, panton hill

David Armfield studied at the National Gallery School in the 1940s and turned to full time painting in 1965. RMIT printamking. He has won several art awards, including the Ramsay Prize - NGV School, the Redcliffe and in 1980 the Eltham Prize. Armfield is represented in the National Gallery collection, Art Gallery of NSW, Tasmanian Art Gallery, several regional art galleries across Australia as well as private collections. David Armfield first came to Eltham in the late 1903s on painting trips and used to camp on the banks of the Diamond Creed. He returned to Eltham in 1957 with his wife Joan who has subsequently become one of the district's potters, and built a mud brick house and studio in John Street on land adjoining Peter Glass. He has painted many landscapes in the district including intimate studies of the bush floor and the aftermath of bush fires. Painting: oil on canvas. Depicting the desolate aftermath of a bushfire in Eltham. Trees are bare and burnt, foreground is sparse, whilst background is fiery red.david armfield, eltham, bushfire

David Armfield: David Armfield studied at the National Gallery School in the 1940s and turned to full time painting in 1965. RMIT printamking. He won several art awards, including the Ramsay Prize - NGV School, the Redcliffe and in 1980 the Eltham Prize. Armfield is represented in the National Gallery collection, Art Gallery of NSW, Tasmanian Art Gallery, several regional art galleries across Australia as well as private collections. David Armfield first came to Eltham in the late 1930s on painting trips and used to camp on the banks of Diamond Creed. He returned to Eltham in 1957 with his wife Joan who has subsequently become one of the district's potters, and built a mud brick house and studio in John Street on land adjoining Peter Glass. He has painted many landscapes in the district including intimate studies of the bush floor and the aftermath of bush fires.Ceramic stoneware. Reduction fired, dolomite glaze, wax resist decoration over iron. Decorated/painted by David Armfield. Cast by Joan Armfield.