Win for Renewable Energy

Fantastic turn out at the Armidale Town Hall last month for the Renewable Energy Forum.

Unanimous Support: I was asked by the facilitator to comment on 'what side of the room I stood on?' in relation to the support for investment into renewable energy. I took a position on the side of the room for 'strongest support', expressing that 'It is so critical now that I would be against the wall if I could fit!'.

The Forum bought together scientists, landholders, local renewable energy companies, members of the wider community and best of all, a local MP who listened!

As a key decision maker on the Climate Change Committee, Tony Windsor MP was certainly impressed with the level of action at a community level.

Now finally the announcement from government which will hopefully bring the mechanism required to fund and support Renewable Energy in Australia.

Detailed story courtesy of Sustainable Living Armidale: http://slaati.org/?p=2600

For more information, contact Jarra or Hadley on: newengland100percent@gmail.com

Power To The People

RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM IN ARMIDALE TOWN HALL

THIS WEDNESDAY 8th June, 6.30pm - 8pm

Throughout June the details of the carbon price policy will be finalised by the Climate Change Committee. Tony Windsor is one of only seven people on this committee, together with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Senator Bob Brown. The New England Forum is the last opportunity to tell Tony in person we believe the revenue raised from pollution should be used to build renewable energy and develop regional Australia.

Find out more about the Forum here: http://www.100percent.org.au/civicrm/event/info?id=10&reset=1and

See you on Wednesday if you can make it!

Colours of Autumn

What a wonderful time of year! I have been soaking up the chilly mountain air and what better place to show some of my work out of the 'Mountain Mother' series!

Bendemeer Art Show is always a cosy and inspiring event with so much talent. The artworks ranged from textile art, prints, portraits and ceramics - to more traditional painting and watercolours.

My vote was for a local photographer; Annie Greenwood with this portrait: http://www.anniegreenwood.com.au/gallery.php?n=379&s=453&g=1408&i=36701

There were many more beautiful shots, this is just one, and best really seen in full size frame to appreciate the detail.....If you ever get a chance to stop off at this event in the New England you will be guaranteed to buy something!

Indigiscapes Outdoor Exhibition

This month a large sculpture of mine features in the Indigiscapes Outdoor & Indoor Exhibition - official event this Saturday 4pm.

If you have never been to the Indigiscapes Centre, in Redlands, you might be surprised by the nature trails, lovely cafe and very affordable native plants. Combined with art, it will make a great day out! See details in invitation above.

Ceramics @ Bar Merlo

An invite to friends interested in unique Christmas prezzies - our 'Ceramics at Bar Merlo' show will be open Monday until Friday this week, from 7.30am until 4pm each day on Ernest St, Southbank.

I have a small selection this year however there are many affordable and artistic gift ideas such as funky tea pots, vases, dishes, mugs, and sculptures ranging from $10 up to $200.

If you'd like to catch up for a coffee, even a yummy Merlo before work, I will be there on Mon, Wed and Fri so just let me know with a phonecall if you are popping in.

F.A.C.E.S and Good Spirit

F.A.C.E.S ~ Flexible, Adaptive, Coherent, Energetic, Stable ~ According to Dr. Daniel Siegel, this is the series of conditions under which our brains operate best - when we are all of the above!
The last few months I've certainly been tested on all these! It has been a period devoted to (and balanced between) exhibitions, home renovations (another art!), studies, work life, family visits and travelling the wild Northern Territory.

On my mind everyday has been my beautiful sister who will give birth to her first baby in just weeks. Being Auntie Em will be so fun! I would show baby-belly photographs here but she has censored even the wonderful black and white shots I got!

Above: A shot of me through the layers of the Brisbane Square library exhibition ~ where my Danish wood-fired sculptures calmed the contemporary architecture and contrasted the bright lighting and reference books!

In late March at the Brisbane Square Library, I exhibited a body of work called 'Himmel Bjerget' - meaning 'Mountain to Heaven' in Danish. I was pleased to show my work in Brisbane's city centre - in a new context - one that is built for learning and quietness. It gave me the chance to reflect on what I had learned overseas and to showcase work amongst other cultures for the celebration of 'Harmony Day'.

In April at West End, Brisbane, I was part of a group show called 'Collective Sessions' which opened on my late Nan's birthday. Nan would have been happy to see Mum and I place my art amongst the type of ferns she had in her garden when I was little. Works from my new series sold to a beautiful couple from Western Australia and my stone sculpture series now have a new home in Byron Bay!

An example of my new series is below - this one is titled 'Cocoon':

In June I was part of 'BEYOND' - my graduate exhibition in 'Visual Arts' at the Southbank Institute of Technology. Some of my works incorporated stainless steel and I enjoyed working with this...so much that it may be the start of a very romantic relationship with this shiny material!
This piece below is called 'Pure Connections', purchased by a couple from Norman Park on the river, a fitting home. The artwork is shown here in this photo on a grey/black background.


There are hints of the Australian shape I have been using in my work - combined with imprints of Danish timber. Nice connections and the best memories.
My latest trip for inspiration has been to the Northern Territory - a place I have wanted to visit since I visited last in 1995! This time it was a campervan adventure and a trip to remember.

One beautiful soul was Manuel, an indigenous artist from a gallery outside Katherine. Manuel shared his painting techniques and tools - we threw spears, lit a fire with two sticks and he shared many stories of his life in Arnhem Land as a child. PLUS he played didgeridoo whilst we painted. I was in heaven. Here I am, in the heat of the day, getting acquainted with the woomera (used to throw the spear) and yes, I got the kangaroo pinned to the hay bale first throw!!

Apparently my snake that I painted was a little on the 'pudgy' side....Manuel watched on and said 'nice fat snake Em, good tucker!'.

It was a an inspiring break - swimming in waterfalls, soaking up the country, seeing LOTS of art!

Now we are set to plan an exhibition which brings together our cultures - to bring some Darwin, Cairns and Northern NSW art to Brisbane - and all our good spirit together!

Stay tuned for 2011, NAIDOC Week!

Regular, interesting, supportive people who want to make art!

'The Base'
Photograph source: Sydney Morning Herald
2 March 2010

So it has taken more than a month for me to explain how it felt to be part of the Spencer Tunick installation at the Opera House - mainly because it was so exhilarating but also because in between then and now, lots of art has been made for my own shows! (Of clay, not bodies!)

The experience of being part of the 'fabric' for Spencer was certainly a unique experience!! Most friends and family have been really excited for me and keen to hear how the whole experience unfolded.

For me, I barely slept the evening before. I prepared my 'essentials' - given that we could not wear so much as a hair band or earrings, I simplified anything I took with me to Darling Harbour that morning! I knew I would leave a weeny pile of clothes somewhere on the lawns of the botanic gardens and there was a very REAL chance that they could be lost amongst the thousands.....missing when I returned from the photo shoot!

Nice adrenalin just from that uncertainty!

We undressed just as the light started to peep over the water on Sydney Harbour. The elation of walking along the path with all my fellow nudies was one of the best feelings ever! Amongst everybody the vibe was fun, exciting and actually not awkward at all!! Everyone was extremely attentive to the intructions of Spencer and his project managers. He spoke to us with a mega-phone and it was difficult to hear as helicopters were flying overhead...the media which was meant to be 'minimal!'.

During the shoot we were asked to turn to a stranger in the crowd - and embrace them. I turned to a pretty young woman, a backpacker living in Sydney and we both just giggled as we stood hugging - and shivering - in the Harbour's cool morning breeze. This experience of embracing someone I didnt know was really new - epecially naked - it made me feel very alive.

We then had to lay down on the steps of the Opera House....yummy cold cement on our skin! The closeness Spencer requested really did not feel uncomfortable for me. Rather, I think it was a great demonstration of how people of all sexual preferences, all nationalities, all shapes and sizes can come together....and lay on common grounds. Spencer had mentioned this in his interviews leading up to the photo-shoot in Australia - that the people that come along are usually just 'regular, interesting and supportive people who want to make art'.

I found I could relate to the title being 'The Base' because as a group (of thousands) connecting on that day - we experienced some very base level, yet highly important human behaviours.....acts of kindness, patience and touch.

Pictures are worth a thousand words so here is a link to the art made by Spencer, 1st March 2010 at Sydney Opera House:

http://www.smh.com.au/multimedia/entertainment/art-and-design/spencer-tunicks-the-base/20100301-pbp4.html