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Nillumbik Shire Council
Painting: Walter WITHERS (b.1854 Warwickshire, UK — d.1914 Eltham, Aus), Trestle Bridge, Eltham, c.1903-10
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Walter Withers ...Walter Withers was a significant Australian landscape artist and a member of the Heidelberg School of Australian Impressionists. In 1903 Withers bought 'Southernwood', a house on 2½ acres (1 ha) at Eltham, to which he added a studio. Because of ill health, he lived during the week at his studio in Oxford Chambers, Melbourne, and on weekends and holidays with his family at Eltham until his death in 1914. The Eltham rail bridge is a unique and valuable historic relic of an earlier steam locomotive transport era in the Diamond Creek Valley and has long formed an important part of a magnificent Eltham landscape. When built in 1902 it was close to the terminus point of the Heidelberg-Eltham rail extension, on the route of the proposed Diamond Valley Railway that was then planned to continue much further up the valley towards Kinglake. This bridge is situated in attractive river-valley parkland amidst the tall and spreading manna gums and candlebarks of the Diamond Creek Valley. The Alistair Knox Park river-valley landscape, of which the timber trestle bridge is an important visual component, has been classified by the National Trust. Large manna gum and candlebark trees adorn the adjacent creek banks, and historic Shillinglaw Cottage is also part of this much-prized Eltham landscape. Eltham is home to a historic wooden railway trestle bridge. Mainly of timber-pier and timber-beam construction, but varied by a few longer steel-joists spans on timber piers at the main stream channel, this substantial bridge has almost two hundred metres of timber deck. Built in 1902, it is the only railway bridge of predominantly timber construction that is still in regular use as an integral part of Melbourne's metropolitan electric railway network and one of extremely few timber rail bridges in the State that still carry trains. Apart from its important continuing social function as a carrier of rail transport for the Hurstbridge line, this impressive bridge and its beautiful parkland environs contribute much to the character of Eltham township and that town's special reputation as an historic centre of environmental and conservation concerns. This section of the Diamond Creek Valley was the subject of a Walter Withers painting in the earliest years of the twentieth century and has strong historic links with our Heidelberg School of painters. Watercolour painting on paper of Eltham's Trestle Bridge in the middle of the day. A small section of the wooden bridge is located to the left of the painting. The focus is predominately on the wattle, manna gum and candlebark trees that is to the right of the bridge. The golden hues typically represent the australian sunlight and landscape. "W.W" in gothic script on the lower right side of the painting. Not dated. withers, eltham, trestle bridge, railway, watercolour -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Work on paper - Print (etching), Graham FRANSELLA, Beach I (figure), 1985
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne A finalist in the Shire ...A finalist in the Shire of Eltham Art Awards in 1985. Born in Harrow, England, Graham Fransella studied at the Bradford School of Art, Yorkshire. He came to Australia in 1975. Graham Fransella lives and works in Melbourne and is represented by galleries across Australia.Fransella is an artist (printmaker) of national significance. “A feature of Fransella’s art is that it has an immediate visual simplicity, sometimes possessing the lucidity of graffiti-like directness, but this is attained through the most complex and intricate means. The surface on which he works is the arena in which he performs with an endless layering of marks, surfaces and signs. It seems that he surrenders to an intuitive process, one in which chance serves as an active collaborator. Ultimately his practice engages with the theory of the artist’s subconscious being allowed unbridled freedom of expression.” Sasha Grishin AM FAHA, in 'Gorgeous simplicity in signature themes: Graham Fransella', Sydney Morning Herald, April 5, 2014This etching depicts a busy and carefree day at the beach in bright colours of red and blue. The figures are drawn with spontaneity and simplicity, which is characteristic of Fransella's style. Figures are positioned in states of relaxation or bounce around beach scenes in joyful exuberance. eltham art award, etching, print, beach, figures -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Sculpture: Jane ANNOIS, Jane Annois, Evolution, 2006
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Jane Annois had a long ...Jane Annois had a long involvement with Potters Cottage in Warrandyte, where she taught for many years. Potters Cottage was established in the late 1950s in Warrandyte as an artist co-operative. Founding members included Reg Preston, Phyl Dunn, Gus McLaren, Artur Halpern, Sylvia Halpern and Elsa Ardern. These talented artists had the ingenuity and foresight to create a teaching studio, gallery shop and restaurant to experiment, make, promote and sell predominantly domestic wares of the time. These activities helped financially sustain each member’s individual creative practice. Potters Cottage was influential in the development of contemporary ceramics, building and developing practices that experimented with traditional ceramic processes, raw materials and locally sourced clay. The group mentored and nurtured many interested in the art of ceramics, producing alumni and teachers such as Peter Laycock, John Dermer, Greg Daly and Jane Annois. Jane Annois is a ceramic artist who has lived and worked locally in Warrandyte for many years. She focuses primarily on exploring the art of Japanese raku, adapting the technique to develop the typical characteristics of crackle glazes and lustres, with contrasting areas of black. Jane also applies a fine slip called terrasigillata which gives soft, warm ochre colours. This technique was once used by the Greeks over 2000 years ago to seal and decorate their pots. She is also strongly onfluenced by the French potters, particularly in the style of terre vernissee, a decorative form of terracotta tableware. Three piece stoneware and raku fired ceramic sculpture. The first piece is a hollow, dome shaped object. It is orange (terracotta slip) in colour with a copper metallic band and a black edge on one side with a small yellow glazed rounded triangle and metallic strip of colour on the otherside. The second piece is shaped like a traditional vase. It is orange (terracotta slip) in colour with white crackle on the inside. It has a yellow slip edge with a dark glazed square on one side and on the other side a black thick edge that mirrors the contour of this shape. The third piece is shaped loosley in the form of the letter 'z'. It compliments the second piece with a yellow slip edge and black glazed square to its lower left side and top right as well as on its' other side a black thick edge that mirrors the contour of this shape. This piece has a very small skewed square opening at its' top. All three pieces have elements of crazing and variations of colour and lustre, caused by the raku process. 2006.52.1VA has the artist name/signature 'J. Annois' inscriped small (with fine point ceramic tool?) on the front of the piece, bottom right; 2006.52.2VA has the artist name 'Jane'? inscribed (unlegible - with fine point ceramic tool?) underneath; 2006.52.3VA has the artist name/signature 'Jane Annois' inscriped (with fine point ceramic tool?) inside its hollow form. evolution, raku, stoneware, terrasigillata, terracotta, glazes, slip, terre vernissee -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Painting: Petra Reece, The Beach, 2007
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne The Beach Painting: Petra ... -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Ceramic sculpture: Stefan SZONYI (b.1945 GER, arrived.1948 AUS), Oh Henry, c.1995
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne ek prac 2015 ceramic ...ceramic (earthenware), glazes, music mechanismek prac 2015 -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Sculpture: Matcham SKIPPER, George Dreyfus Composer, 1987
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Eltham was a creative hub ...Eltham was a creative hub during the twentieth century, attracting innovative visual artists, architects, writers and film makers to collaborate, forging lifelong friendships and artistic legacies. Skipper produced this bronze sculpture of friend, Composer George Dreyfus for the then Shire of Eltham Art Award. Matcham Skipper (b.1921 NZ - d. 2011 Melb.) was a renowned local sculptor, jeweller and builder and an accomplished teacher, designer, ironworker, and photographer. His work is held by many museums and public collections in Australia and overseas. He was a long term resident of Montsalvat in Eltham with his family deeply involved in the building and evolution of this artists colony, which was the vision of architect and painter Justus Jorgensen. George Dreyfus (b.1928 Germany - arrived 1939 Aus) is an Australian contemporary classical, film and television composer. He has composed numerous film and television scores, including Tim Burstall's 'The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox' (1963), 'A Steam Train Passes' (1974), 'Rush' (1974), 'Dimboola' (1979) and 'The Fringe Dwellers' (1986). It was the score for 'Rush' which brought him wider recognition. He has written four operas, two symphonies, chamber music and film scores spanning five decades. Dreyfus is well known for having worked with the late director, writer and producer Tim Burstall, a key figure in Australian postwar cinema and local who lived in Eltham. Burstall was instrumental in rebuilding the Australian film industry in the 60s, creating groundbreaking Australian films including 'Stork' and 'Alvin Purple'. Figurative bronze bust of well known Australian composer George Dreyfus. He is wearing a shirt underneath a sweater. His left arm/hand is placed over his chest. His eyes are half closed as if immersed in the music. A green patina can be seen in areas on the sculpture. Signature and date cast (incised with tool) onto the back shoulder blade: 'MATCHAM SKIPPER 1987'ek prac 2015, montsalvat, eltham, george dreyfus, matcham skipper, bronze, bust, tim burstall, sculpture, rush -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Painting: David MOORE, Untitled (Landscape with Water), date unknown
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne ek prac 2015 oil ...oil on canvasek prac 2015 -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Print (digital): Tess EDWARDS, Werewolf, 2005
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne ek prac 2015 A/P scanned ...scanned print on Hahnemuehle paperA/Pek prac 2015 -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Ceramic (plate): Greg DALY, Images on a Platter, c.1985
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne ek prac 2015 stoneware ...stoneware, glazesek prac 2015 -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Painting: Guan WEI (b.1957 CHINA), Anonymous Invader No. 1, c.1999
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne ek prac 2015 acrylic ...acrylic on canvasek prac 2015 -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Collage: Sally SMART, Imaginary Anatomy / Itchy Itchy #2, c.1997
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne ek prac 2015 monoprint ...monoprint; oil on paper, photocopy, silkscreen collageek prac 2015 -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Painting: Jan MURRAY, Window onto the World (Orange), 1999
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Murray is an artist ...Murray is an artist with a renowned reputation within contemporary art practice. This painting was exhibitied in the 1999 Nillumbik Art Award. Oil on linen abstract painting. A painting within a painting. A stretched orange canvas with its back (black wooden support and brace) facing the viewer. It is resting on a pink floor and against a blue wall. Style is quite graphic with strong lines and flat colour. Not signed and not dated. ek prac 2015 -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Ceramic painting: Daniel MOYNIHAN, Sun Landscape, 1964
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Sun Landscape Ceramic ... -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Painting: Rick AMOR (b.1948, Melb. AUS), Rick Amor, Out to Sea, 1993
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Rick Amor was a good ...Rick Amor was a good friend of three times Archibald Prize winner Clifton Pugh, living and working at Pugh's artist colony Dunmoochin, (Cottles Bridge) during the 1980-1990s. Amor made frequent outdoor painting trips with Pugh. His studies of Williamstown and areas around the port fuelled a period of sustained painting in his studio at Dunmoochin. Amor is an artist of national significance who had lived locally in Dunmoochin (Cottles Bridge) during the time of this work's making. This painting was exhibited/entered into the 1993 Shire of Eltham Art Awards. The work is representative of Amor's style and interest in seascapes as subject matter. Oil on linen, seascape painting. A solitary and motionless male figure in an overcoat stands at the edge of a dock/jetty with his hands in his pockets looking out to sea with his back towards the viewer. A motorised boat is moored close by and a white house with a blue roof can be seen in the distance. The figure is engulfed by the landscape and a resounding sense of desolation. A storm is brewing; the mood forecast by dark, heavy and thick ominous clouds, alternately darkening with the approach of night, a polluted haze and rough seas. In red paint, lower right, signed 'RICK AMOR '93'amor, seascape, painting, personal, boat, dramatic, atmospheric, ekphrasis 2015, dunmoochin -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Public Art: Deborah HALPERN, 'Queen of the Shire'; Location: Cnr Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Rd & Research-Warrandyte Rd, North Warrandyte, 2015
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Deborah Halpern ...Deborah Halpern was raised in Nth Warrandyte. Her connection to the area and the significant contribution that she and her family (founding members of Potters Cottage) have made to the artistic heritage and culture of the Shire is acknowledge with the commission of this piece. Deborah Halpern is a highly recognised and respected local artist with an acclaimed national reputation in the arts community. This work is a gateway piece, welcoming residents and visitors into the Shire from the southern end of the boundary. 'Queen of the Shire' reflects the creative spirit that flows endlessly in the Shire, inspired by the landscape. This work forms part of a series of sculptures that Halpern has created along the banks of the Yarra in Melbourne ('Angel' - Birrarung Marr and 'Ophelia' - Southgate). This sculpture is an excellent example of Halpern’s ouvere and 'tile construction' technique for which she is renowned. Materials: coloured glass tiles, fibreglass, aluminium, steel. A sweeping stylised (female) form covered in bright and colourful tiles held aloft by two steel poles. queen, sculpture, semi-abstract, stylised, glass, tiles, public art, halpern, ek prac 2015 -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Sculpture: Peter WEGNER (b.1954 NZ - a.1958 AUS), Peter Wegner, The Blanket (from the 'Black Saturday' series), 2009
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne The 'Black Saturday ...The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. The 'Black Saturday' series is a powerful investigation of emotion and grief as experienced by many Nillumbik residents during the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. A cluster of bronze figurines either stand alone or embrace in groups. Their expressions and gestures of despair are made more pertinent with the raw like application and surface treatment of the material used. The 'Black Saturday' series is a challenging work, but one that encourages healing, connection and empathy. Solitary male figure wrapped in a blanket, clutched to his chest and over his head. Surface treatment is textured. Metallic brown colour with base starting to turn a green patina. Sticker underside of sculpture 'WEGNER THE BLANKET AG205642'wegner, bronze, figurine, black saturday, sculpture -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Sculpture: Peter WEGNER (b.1954 NZ - a.1958 AUS), Peter Wegner, Man in Shock (from the 'Black Saturday' series), 2010
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne The 'Black Saturday ...The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. The 'Black Saturday' series is a powerful investigation of emotion and grief as experienced by many Nillumbik residents during the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. A cluster of bronze figurines either stand alone or embrace in groups. Their expressions and gestures of despair are made more pertinent with the raw like application and surface treatment of the material used. The 'Black Saturday' series is a challenging work, but one that encourages healing, connection and empathy. Solitary male figure wearing a long hooded coat clutching his hands underneath his chin in shock. Surface treatment is textured. Dark metallic brown colour. Hand carved on base, back of figure '2/6 WEGNER 10'wegner, bronze, figurine, black saturday, sculpture -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Sculpture: Peter WEGNER (b.1954 NZ - a.1958 AUS), Peter Wegner, The Embrace (from the 'Black Saturday' series), 2011
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne The 'Black Saturday ...The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. The 'Black Saturday' series is a powerful investigation of emotion and grief as experienced by many Nillumbik residents during the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. A cluster of bronze figurines either stand alone or embrace in groups. Their expressions and gestures of despair are made more pertinent with the raw like application and surface treatment of the material used. The 'Black Saturday' series is a challenging work, but one that encourages healing, connection and empathy. Two men embrace in despair. One man throws his arms around the other man's shoulders. The other man holds the other's back. Surface treatment is textured. Dark metallic brown colour with figures starting to turn a green patina. Note stuck with tape underside of sculpture 'Savage Art Prize Peter Wegner (phone number) The Embrace 2011'wegner, bronze, figurines, black saturday, sculpture -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Sculpture: Peter WEGNER (b.1954 NZ - a.1958 AUS), Peter Wegner, Disbelief (from the 'Black Saturday' series), 2010
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne The 'Black Saturday ...The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. The 'Black Saturday' series is a powerful investigation of emotion and grief as experienced by many Nillumbik residents during the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. A cluster of bronze figurines either stand alone or embrace in groups. Their expressions and gestures of despair are made more pertinent with the raw like application and surface treatment of the material used. The 'Black Saturday' series is a challenging work, but one that encourages healing, connection and empathy. Solitary figure sitting on rock/log with elbows resting on knees and hands on head. Face looking down in despair. Surface treatment is textured. Dark metallic brown colour with figure starting to turn a green patina.Sticker underside of sculpture 'No. 205640 (AP)'wegner, figurine, bronze, black saturday, sculpture -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Sculpture: Peter WEGNER (b.1954 NZ - a.1958 AUS), Peter Wegner, The Wake 1(from the 'Black Saturday' series), 2010
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne The 'Black Saturday ...The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. The 'Black Saturday' series is a powerful investigation of emotion and grief as experienced by many Nillumbik residents during the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. A cluster of bronze figurines either stand alone or embrace in groups. Their expressions and gestures of despair are made more pertinent with the raw like application and surface treatment of the material used. The 'Black Saturday' series is a challenging work, but one that encourages healing, connection and empathy. Three figures embrace in despair (two men, one woman). One throws his arms around the other two figures who are consoling each other in an emotional embrace. Surface treatment is textured . Metallic brown colour. 'WEGNER THE WAKE 1 AG205643'wegner, figurines, bronze, black saturday, sculpture -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Ceramic: Clifton PUGH, technician: Geoffrey DAVIDSON, Leda and the Emu, c. 1975
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Geoff Davidson arrived ...Geoff Davidson arrived at Dunmoochin around 1968 and began living and working as an apprentice to the potter Robert Main, who was working in a studio rented to him by Clifton Pugh on the Dunmoochin property. When Robert left, Geoff moved into the studio and began collaborating with Clifton Pugh on many projects for a period of 25 years whereby Clifton would decorate pots made by Geoff. Geoff produce the ceramic panels for Leda and the Emu. He mixed and identified the glazes for Clifton, then fired the panels once he had finished painting. Three or four murals were produced in this way, one of which was purchased by Don Dunston (ex-Premier of South Australia) as a gift to his dying wife.Dunmoochin derives its cultural and artistic heritage from the collaborative efforts of a group of artists who purchased land in Cottles Bridge in the early 1950’s. These artists (Pugh) pioneered one of the first artistic communes in Australia and created a lasting vision of how a community can gain knowledge and inspiration from living in a close relationship with nature. Pugh had explored the ‘Leda and the Swan’ mythological themes previously during the sixties in etchings and paintings, although he was more interested in referencing the original myth as allusions to other truths. Pugh was drawn to the Greek myth ‘Leda and the Swan’ in which Zeus transforms into a swan to seduce Leda. Pugh Australianised the myth so that Zeus transformed into an Emu rather than a Swan, and makes a gentle satirical comment on the sexual behaviour of the Australian male, whereby he sees a parallel between this and the proud yet awkward movements and naivety of our national bird. This particular theme was prevalent in Pugh's work right through the 60s and 70s. Leda and the Emu is a work by two prominent local artists (Clifton Pugh and Geoff Davidson) with a national and international reputation.Flat red background, black foliage. Leda is naked and sleeping with head resting in hand. Emu is to the left watching Leda. Drawing style is typical of Pugh’s work: linear, flat and gestural.Signed 'II Clifton' -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Photograph: Sue FORD, Clifton, Marlene Pugh, Dunmoochin, 1964 (printed 2015)
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Clifton, Marlene Pugh ... -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Photograph: Sue FORD, Matcham Skipper, Montsalvat, 1964 (printed 2015)
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Matcham Skipper ... -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Drawing (charcoal) Peter WEGNER (b.1954 NZ - a.1958 AUS), Peter Wegner, Portrait Of Danny Moynihan, 1999
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne This work is by a local ...This work is by a local contemporary artist with a national and international reputation for figurative and portrait works. This drawing has a link to another of Wegner's work in the Collection, the lithograph 'Mandarin on a Kitchen Table'. This portrait is of Danny Moynihan, one time lecturer at Phillip Institute of Technology (now RMIT - Bundoora campus) who taught Wegner printmaking (lithography) when he was a student at the institute in the 80's. 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. He is inspired by English artist Leon Kossoffs' drawings where the likeness of the subject is secondary and separate from the credibility of the drawing itself. Black and white charcoal portrait drawing on paper of artist/teacher Danny Moynihan.Hand written (signature) in charcoal - lower right - 'Peter Wegner'wegner, drawing, charcoal, black and white, moynihan, artist, teacher -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Painting: Piers BATEMAN (b.1947, Perth - d.2015, NSW), Piers Bateman, Blackboys, 1989
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Piers Bateman was a local ...Piers Bateman was a local artist, held in very high esteem by his peers and community. He was born in Perth in 1947, moving to Eltham in 1955 as a young child with his family. In 1966 Bateman moved to London for eighteen months to develop his craft. In 1969 he settled in St Andrews, where he built a studio. The St Andrews locale is said to have been a strong influence on his work. Bateman’s talent was such that he was promoted and mentored by such ilk as Charles Blackman, Clifton Pugh and Arthur Boyd, among others. Bateman’s work is an intimate dialogue with the environment, renowned for his paintings of the outback, wilderness frontiers and the sea. He spent a year in the mid-seventies sailing the Greek Islands and the French canals to Amsterdam. In 1980 Bateman and Marcus Skipper embarked on a trans-Australian venture to the red centre and across northern Australia from Cairns to Broome. In the mid-eighties Bateman returned to the Mediterranean, before returning to the Australian outback in the late-eighties. His international career continued on an upwards trajectory between the Australian outback and European seas, providing a unique contrast throughout the course of his career. Bateman's work questions our relationship with the natural world, and in particular, reconciling our colonial heritage with our indigenous past. This line of questioning and his genuine response to place is the key to Piers Bateman’s work, for which he is lauded and celebrated. On September 4th 2015, Piers Bateman died in a boating accident on the NSW coast line. Piers Bateman was an instinctive painter whose inspiration came from nature. He reworked and scraped off the paint, moving it around until forms and colours of the landscape took shape. Although Bateman lived in Spain and Italy, his time in Europe made him aware of the contrast between the two continents and the bright clear light that defined the Australian landscape. At the time of this work, Bateman was living in St. Andrews, but travelled regularly to New South Wales and South Australia on painting trips. The ‘Grass Tree’ Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (commonly known as ‘blackboy’) is indigenous to these areas. It is a uniquely Australian, slow growing plant with twenty-eight species growing within Australia. Old examples of this tree are survivors of many wild fires, which can cause their blackened trunk, of one to two metres, branch into two or more heads. These heads consist of thick, rough corky bark, surrounded by long, wiry leaves and flowers that produce seed capsules with hard black seeds. The tree’s ability to be one of the first to flower after a wild fire ensures a food source for many insects and birds.Oil on canvas painting. Detail of three grass trees resting on the side of a mountain/hill. Green and gold palette throughout depicting the colours and light of the Australian landscape. Hand written, low right in capitals: 'BATEMAN'bateman, grass trees, xanthorrhoea johnsonii, landscape -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Ceramic (plates): Alma SHANAHAN (b.1924 - d.2015 Melb.), Alma Shanahan, Horse Power - The Flip Side, c.1965
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Alma Shanahan (1924-2015 ...Alma Shanahan (1924-2015) was a Victorian potter who came to live at Clifton Pugh's Dunmoochin art colony at Cottlesbridge, on Melbourne's outskirts in 1953. Unable to join the co-operative proper, as she was a potter, not a painter, she built her house at the top of the hill, 135 Barreenong Road, Cottles Bridge. The c.1953 house is historically, aesthetically and architecturally significant because it is a good example of the design and ethos of mud brick dwellings synonymous with Eltham and features the extensive use of recycled materials, which was characteristic of the 'Eltham style' of architecture. Like the others in the artist community, Alma Shanahan built her own residence in stages out of local materials. Shanahan was later joined by neighbours and Dunmoochin potters Peter and Helen Laycock. She trained for a term with Peter Laycock but was otherwise self-taught, basing her practice on the teachings of Bernard Leach. After Pugh's death in 1991 she became the longest standing Dunmoochin resident. Her works are incised with her full name. Alma Shanahan was a part of the Dunmoochin Artist's community whose (other) members (Kevin Nolan, John Howley, John Olsen, Mirka Mora, Peter Laycock, Helen Laycock, Peter Wiseman and Chris Wiseman) made an important contribution to Victoria's cultural history. From the mid 1950s Pugh persuaded a number of other painters, as well as potters and other artists, to come and live at Dunmoochin and they formed one of Victoria's most important artist communities. She started potting around 1961 (aged 37). "Horse Power" was made using Chullora clay, which indicates it was made during her first seven years of production. Horse Power is about man's search for "energy" and how the "energy" can turn around. Made from Chullora (Sydney) clay. Glazed stoneware plates (x2) with brush decorations resting on hand made ceramic stands. Plate one: 2006.64.1VA (Horse Power + stand) shows a figure on horse back with blue foliage in background. Plate two: 2006.64.2VA (Flip Side + stand) shows a horse with figure under it's hooves. Hand painted signature in brown/black on back of both plates; "Alma Shanahan"shanahan, stoneware, glaze, plates, horse, dunmoochin -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Public Art: Tom SANDERS (b.1925-d.2008 Vic, Aus), Tom Sanders, Wall of the Moon (Homage to Miro) - (Location: Eltham Town Square, Arthur Street, Eltham), 1968
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Sanders was a well-known ...Sanders was a well-known local potter who worked for a time with David Boyd at the Martin Boyd Pottery, before returning to Melbourne where he had some association with Arthur Boyd, at the pottery in Murrumbeena. Sanders set up a studio in Eltham in the early 1950s and made the first of a series of architectural ceramic murals with painter and print maker Lawrence Daws in 1956. In 1957 he left for Europe and while there was inspired by the Spanish artist Joan Miro’s unconventional painting style and large scale murals, in particular Wall of the Moon (1957). After returning from his travels in Europe to Australia in 1964, he began to work solely on creating ceramic murals, some of which were commissioned for Southland Shopping Centre in Cheltenham, Melbourne, 1968 (now demolished), the National Mutual Centre, Melbourne,1964-5 (now demolished), Dee Why Library, Sydney 1966, Woden Valley High School, ACT, 1967, Tullamarine Airport Melbourne, 1969-70 (now demolished), Perth Concert Hall, 1971 and The University of Melbourne,1975 (with John Olsen). This mural is one of only three remaining in the public realm by Tom Sanders (the others are at the Perth Concert Hall (1971) and at the University of Melbourne (1975). Ceramic mural (earthenware tiles) consisting of a playful/organic abstract design similar in style to the Spanish artist Joan Miro. Shades of blue, yellow and black glazes are layered onto matte black and shiny bronze tiles. N/Amural, public art, earthernware, pottery, ceramics, glaze, eltham, ekphrasis2017, eltham town square, joan miro -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Harris (Maureen) SMITH (b.AUS - active 80's), Evening Eltham, 1984
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne The painting ...The painting was purchased from the Eltham Outdoor Art Show. Smith endeavours to capture mood, atmosphere and light in this work by heightening and intensifying the imagery where possible. Smith is concerned with expressing a 'sense of place' inherent in the subject matter. Painting of a landscape at dusk with dirt walking track and trees somewhere in Eltham. Oil on composition board. Moulded frame. Painted in the 'Western Realist Tradition'. Signed 'HARRIS SMITH/84' Hand painted in capitals in red paint; bottom right. eltham, painting, landscape, smith, evening -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Prints (solar etchings): Christine JOHNSON (b. 1959 AUS), Voyages Botanical, 2014
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne Johnson undertook ...Johnson undertook this project with a State Library of Victoria 'Creative Fellowship' in 2012, drawing on early botanical illustrations by Sydney Parkinson, Pierre-Joseph Redoute, Ferdinand Bauer and others from the Library's 'Rare Books' Collection. Johnson printed this series in 2013 while working as artist in residence at Baldessin Press, St. Andrews. 'Voyages Botanical' celebrates the untamed treasures of Australia’s (Nillumbik) vast native flower garden. The work speaks to Nillumbik's natural environment and colonial heritage in the context of our national story. Charcoal solander box with artwork title, artist name and flower motif in silver lettering bottom centre (edition 4/5). Catalogue: 52 colour pages. Solar plate engravings x 30; ink on paper. Series A: Ten multi-layered solar plate engravings (edition of 12); Series B: Ten flower images drawn from living specimens (edition of 12); Series C: Ten details from early botanical art engravings (open edition) Charcoal solander box with artwork title, artist name and flower motif in silver lettering bottom centre. Solar plate engravings x 30: Series A, B: all prints have edition number '4/12' to bottom left of image, artwork title () centre and artist signature 'Christine Johnson 2014' to bottom right of image. Series C: all prints have artist initials signed 'CJ' bottom right of images. All inscriptions in pencil. johnson, solar plate, engravings, creative fellowship, baldessin press, state library of victoria, botanical, flora, native, european explorers, cartography, wildflowers -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Collage: Elizabeth GOWER (b.1952 SA, AUS -), Cycles 7, 2015
... Nillumbik Shire Council melbourne The 'Cycles' series ...The 'Cycles' series is an extension of two large scale provisional installations '150 Rotations', Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria, and '356 Rotations', AC Institute in New York, which also re-purposed and aestheticised multiple paper units into hundreds of circular motifs.The immediate tactile connection with the material excesses and detritus of contemporary consumer culture informs the theoretical framework and conceptual understanding of Gower's practice, and associates her work with ideas of recovery and re-purpose, sustainable practice and thrift strategies that critique excesses of mass production and the notion of impermanence. This series was made ‘in transit’ during the artist’s recent studio residencies at Point[B], New York and Laughing Waters, Eltham, and at three temporary studios in Rome, Berlin and Collingwood.Kaleidoscope pattern of multiple segments (logos-Lipton tea) from commercial (food) catalogues on commercial packaging (cardboard - round lid). No inscriptions and markingscycles, gower, collage, pattern, logos, commercialism, consumerism, repurpose, recycle, riverbend, laughing waters