The Artworks
Portraits of inspirational Northern Rivers identities
from the Northern Rivers Portrait Prize's
on view from the 23rd March to the 23rd April 2012.
'The Chicken Man'
Subject: Dr Lindsay Murray
Oil based enamel
by Duncan James
Artist Statement
The chicken farmer of Mullumbimby,
Dr Lindsay Murray is the subject for my portrait
painting, titled, 'The Chicken Man'.
He is a highly regarded member of the Mullumbimby
community and local farmers’ markets where he sells his
'heritage' organic chickens, ducks and turkeys.
He made the transition from Western Australia
as an emergency physician six years ago,
to return to his roots of living on the land,
in the context of farming in which he choose the
NR region to bring his life-long dreams to fruition.
His farming mission is not only to breed up rare and
heritage breeds of an assortment of animals, but to
engage the community on the benefits of healthy living
thru the ideals of self-sufficiency and sustainable living.
In my work, my first completed in 2012,
thru many layers of translucent washes of oil based paint,
I wanted to capture his human essence as well as his
good natured characteristics, not only the nurturing
of his animals but of the local community,
this is the 'Chicken Man'...................
- Duncan James, January 2012
'My Most Familiar Face'
Subject: Peter Jones
Oil on canvas
by Rosie Jones
Artist Statement
This is Peter Jones, the man I love.
We have walked along the path of life
together for twenty years, making plans,
dreaming, doing stuff, meeting people,
making beautiful babies and having fun.
Peter Jones means so much to me.
He is my number one friend,
admirer and protagonist.
He is also my number one antagonist
being the first to be honest when it’s needed.
He is a wonderful father to our children,
loving them openly, both of us striving
for the balance to nurture their upbringing
in the best way we can.
Through his work,
teaching about self-awareness,
and helping businesses get the
best out of their people
by transcending conflict,
he contributes to the Northern Rivers community.
Peter has a handsome, interesting face
sculpted by forty-five years
of the laughs and frowns of life.
- Rosie Jones
'A Matter of Principal'
Subject: Helen Rae
Acrylic on canvas
Wilson Park School Principal
by Anne Slade
Artist Statement
Chaos could perhaps describe Helens’ work-a-day life.
But this amazing lady is quietly and confidently in charge of the daily learning
of the special children at Wilson Park School, Wyrallah Road, East Lismore NSW.
I hesitated to attempt the portrait, which I had included on my ‘bucket list’,
with time constraints, due to holidays and the exhibition’s approaching deadline.
But a recent article in the local paper, where a parent described
the dedication of the principal of his child’s school,
‘even to the extent of greeting each child on arrival each day’,
put my determination into gear, as I wished to acknowledge
my admiration and respect for Helen Rae.
The painting is perhaps directed toward the ‘children', who are the focus of Helen's attention.
The colourful choice is also a reference to the Olympic year,
using the colours of the Olympic rings and indirectly referring to the achievements of the
special people who go on to astound us with their efforts at the ‘Special Olympics’.
Similarly, at Wilson Park School, Helen and her dedicated staff instil
participation, concern for others and effort, as the main focus.
- Anne Slade
'Mitchell'
Subject: Mitchell Laurie
Pastels
January 2012
by Jan Ford
Artist Statement
Whilst contemplating several people
involved in valuable community projects,
and others who could be the subject of my entry,
we often think of people who
are well known to everyone.
But sometimes life
makes us change our thinking!
My grandson, Mitchell,
on hearing my discussion
on the various choices with his mother,
said to her - "why doesn't Grandma draw me?"
Mitchell is such an important and
valuable member of his entire family.
Not only that,
but he has played soccer
with the Alstonville teams
since he was old enough,
has played futsal at
Alstonville and Goonellabah
and has also participated in
athletics carnivals
up to the regional level and
reached zone level in tennis.
He has participated in many school activities
and this year he will be the
boy's school captain.
Sometimes we need a reminder
that the most important and valuable
people in our lives - are our family.
So Mitchell,
my entry this year
- is a portrait of you!
- Jan Ford
'Hi, It's Tim Your Brother'
Subject: Tim Thompson
Oil on canvas
by Robyn Thompson
Artist Statement
For the last 29 years Tim Thompson has been
an inspiration to me in so many ways.
The world is full of inspirational people and
to have one in your family is very lucky
When I was a kid I wished for a brother.
(Birthday candles, wish bones, falling stars.)
One day, 10 years after I was born, my brother
finally arrived. I was so very happy and excited,
I wanted to tell everyone. But I saw something
I didn’t understand, everyone around me was sad,
my mum was crying and no one was talking.
I didn’t know why.
Tim was the cutest baby I had ever seen.
He was 6 weeks premature and very small,
he had trouble with his heart, lungs
and was fed through a tube,
I heard the hospital people say,
"take Tim home and love him there is
nothing we can do, he will die soon".
Tim had many life and death trips to the
hospital as a baby and suffers every day
with different things but he never complains,
he has a very unique personality
and his cheeky smile always lifts my spirits.
He is an example to all that every day is beautiful
and life is what you make it.
Tim is an artist, a hip hop rapper he loves to dance.
He has the most awesome DVD collection
of horror cult movies which feature in his art,
and is a ten pin bowler.
I have kept this portrait straight forward
- no background fuss, noise or distractions,
Tim simply doesn’t need them.
I am Tim Thompson’s sister
- Robyn Thompson
Artist Statement
'The Sweet Sound Of The Pineapple'
Subject: Michael Connor
Local woodworker,
Ukulele maker and sometimes player.
Acrylic on canvas
by Shane Macgregor
There’s no mistaking the sweet sounds of a Ukulele,
they create the feeling of instant happiness and harmony
not only to the listener but also to the player.
Mike was born and raised in the Northern Rivers.
After completing his electrical apprenticeship
he worked all round the place, eventually returning
to Corndale to raise a family with his wife Sue
and has now lived there for 21 years.
Mike continued his electrical business
but found a love for woodworking.
He took a day off each a week to have lessons
with the renowned and inspirational Geoff Hannah.
After a farm accident he spent 6 weeks
contemplating his future and turned
to full time woodworking.
From his shed in the back yard he has made
everything from furniture to woodworking benches,
hand tools and wooden surfboards.
Making Ukuleles has become his obsession.
He now handcrafts 5 types including “the Pineapple"
using local Australian and other beautiful timber.
His craftsmanship is second to none
and he finishes every piece to the highest level.
He's a fun character,
loves a cuppa and a chat.
'Beyond Obvious'
Self portrait
Acrylic on canvas
90cm x 120cm
by Ashleigh Redhouse
Artist Statement
My works are a
streaming consciousness.
They intimate creativity
and expression.
Making a self-portrait
is experiment
and experience.
It is therapy for myself
and explodes who I am
at this time.
'Travelling Man'
Subject: Ryan Bullivant
Oil on canvas
by Emily Imeson
Artist Statement
My portrait is of Ryan Bullivant from Lennox Head,
who I met when I moved to Brisbane
to study Fine Arts in July 2011.
The friendship we formed in a short 5 months,
before he left to travel India and Europe,
with his homie Kieran Rangger (also from this area), are
friendships I will always value. The appreciation we all
have for the Far North Coast of NSW (FNC) created
a connection between us. The honesty and purity of
these guys is a reflection of the great culture and community
in the area. This is of great value to my life, as my biggest influences come from my surrounding place and people,
this appreciation for the people and environment
of the FNC, is why I chose to paint ‘Ry-dawg’.
The picture, taken on these current travels,
is cropped from a group shot of ‘The boys’ and a
local Indian all wearing traditional turbans in Amritsar.
I feel the turban emphasises a reflection of
the atmosphere created in this accepting,
diverse, friendly, community in the FNC.
This picture simply makes me smile.
- Emily Imeson
'John Butler'
Watercolour on stonehenge
40cm x 24cm in wooden frame
by Lea Elsley
Artist statement
John Butler has long been an
environmental activist for and on
behalf of the Northern Rivers region.
Currently in strong support for the
anti fracking "Close the Gate" movement,
he along with many fellow property owners
and members of the community
are rallying for support
to protect our hills, waterways,
farms and the air we breath.
John often uses music
and his fan base to reach out
to the broader community,
raising awareness
and creating change.
I've placed John
in a canopy of trees.
I believe I see him as our planet does.
A green activist
walking us towards
a sustainable ecological future.
- Lea Elsley
'Anna @ 25'
Subject: Anna Molloy
Ink and watercolour on paper
by Rick Molloy
Artist Statement
I have chosen my wife Anna for my portrait as we had been married 25 years and,
of all the people in the Northern Rivers, she is certainly the most valuable in my life!
In addition to being valuable to me, Anna is also valuable to the Community, as she
has been a voluntary carer for people with intellectual disabilities for over ten years,
often dedicating weekends to her voluntary caring activities.
I am happy to say that Anna is a Domestic Goddess ‘extraordinaire’,
excelling at cooking and baking. Her skills are so great, that, celebrating
our wedding anniversary on a remote camping trip to the Diamantina,
Anna produced a wonderful cake to make it a memorable occasion.
It was quite a challenge drawing this portrait as Anna is unable to sit still for
more than a minute and, the composition I chose, meant I had to draw her six times!
- Rick Molloy, January 2012
'Facets of Ron Curran
- teacher, philosopher, writer, artist'
Oil, collage, pencils on canvas
99cm x 99cm
by Josephine Window
Artist Statement
Ron Curran is a gifted teacher of drawing. Yet he doe
not teach drawing in the traditional sense. Ron teaches individuals to access their creative sources and express themselves in artistic terms without fear or judgement.
He calls himself a facilitator.
Ron is passionately committed to sharing his unique
Dynamic Drawing philosophy, developed over 12 years. He
brings in-depth knowledge of the arts, experience as artist/
writer/philosopher/teacher, and compassion to his drawing
studio sessions. The theatre of earnest drawers, models,
music and props becomes a special place where drawers are
free to enter the world of their imaginations, surrender to their creative processes and realize full personal expression.
He is well known and highly regarded for his considerable contribution to the arts community of NSW's Northern Rivers.
I have painted Ron amidst orchid, fungi, liana and palm to reflect his rainforest home, shared with partner, Liz Friend.
Portrait working music: Sweet Earth - Cléis Pearce,Call of the Valley - Shivkumar Sharma, Brijbhushan Kabra & Hariprasad Chaurasia
'Portrait of a Late Night'
Self portrait
Oil on canvas
by Maya Krasna
Artist Statement
This piece created itself
one night at 11pm
after an exhausting day
with my two little children.
I was so tired that I couldn't sleep and I had
this vision of my portrait in that moment.
I got out of bed and started the sketch,
but I certainly didn't need a mirror.
The portrait says a lot about my days;
I give myself fully to my loved ones, but
there is little left at the end of the day for myself.
The make-up is gone,
the smile is tired, the muffins are eaten,
put away your earrings,
go to sleep.
'The Red Coat'
Self portrait
Oil
by Linda Chapman
Artist Statement
A self-portrait is
somewhat more substantial than a photo
to leave me kids and grankids
and so on….
(I am wearing me old red coat…
bought at a Lifeline sale at the Nimbin Town Hall….
LOVE the coat…
it’s been me armour for years
when walkin’ the streets of Lismore late at night…
now tho an ice age is upon us
and its violence is heard in scream’n abuse
and pound’n footsteps…
seen in flashes of baseball bats ‘n tyre levers…
sad to give up the moonlight
reflected on the river...
but me old red coat feels threadbare
the ice cold is so severe…
I just don’t go out as often as I used to…)..
'A Portrait of My Apps'
Self portrait
Artist Statement
It’s a worry, a self portrait
when it only happens
at the steering wheel
between occasions,
anniversaries going 24-7.
So here is a self;
or myself behind the windshield
of some other horizon.
So easy to forget who you are
these days, especially if your only
reminder is in predictive txt.
Maybe there’s an app
which could solve all this you,
which you could find
on your mobile
that’s closing in on the self
with new software updates,
experiences, downloads
till face becomes
an open book for everyone to read
except for you.
But still there is reality,
sunrise, sunset
and the real application of paint down
and self appears to still be there.
‘Don’t frack our water’ and ‘water is life’.
How is it that economics
is put before community health?
Hefty fines apply to others for environmental strife.
Dollars flash in the forefront of their lobes.
How is it ethical to poison our water supply?
When is enough, enough!
Water is our lifeline
in the absence of desalination plant.
Children pound the pavement with conviction.
A commitment and insight for The Northern Rivers.
Ingrained environmental ideologies
of adolescence flood the mind,
Whilst an idle protester stands erect with yellow sign.
The Lismore Show is a weekend of celebration for most.
Our minds are temporarily detached,
To reside with the land, sky, and of the spectacle.
Drawn in the direction of music caressed by the wind,
Hypnotised by the verse of Banjo Paterson.
Amongst the smell of beer, manure and corn dog.
Denis ‘Dingo’ Dryden
performs his original solo bush ballads.
The mind, body and soul is encapsulated,
Beyond the previous days of CSG rallies,
and discontentment.
- Scott Whittingham
'Beyond The Lismore Show'
Subject: Dennis 'Dingo' Dryden
Oil on canvas
Artist Statement
A poem: 'Beyond the Lismore Show'
People of all ages gather near
'The Heart’ for the spectacle.
Standing united intently gaze at the bucked bull rider.
Various signs erected in plain sight.
'Jane' by Carol Clarkson
Artist’s Statement
My sister emigrated here from England in 2007. Her arrival coincided with the outbreak of the Equine Flu virus and immediately put most of her dreams to practice
“Equine Touch” (a form of healing body work for horses)
on hold, or at least pulled the reins in tight on them anyway. However, Jane persevered, basing herself near Coffs
Harbour, treating horses, running bodywork courses
and supplementing her income with editing work.
During her travels up and down the coast, Jane discovered
the idyllic and stimulating Northern Rivers region.
She formed a close group of friends there and decided to relocate and make it her home. Jane has continued to
broaden her own knowledge and understanding of horses
and their welfare. As a result she is continually
developing her own bodywork methods and
improving upon her own healing skills and practices.
I am proud of my sister for the foresight, diligence, passion, hard work and professionalism that she has shown
in pursuing her dream to work in a field that she loves.
And I am happy to know that she has found a beautiful
place to which she feels that she truly belongs.
- Carol Clarkson
'Jane'
Sitter: Jane Clothier
Acrylic on canvas
by Carol Clarkson
'Isabella a cappella – The Day the Music Died'
Drawing
by Ian Roberts
Artist Statement
Isabella a cappella was formed in 1984 by the late Isabel Atcheson and has seen a
passing cavalcade of students and graduates from Southern Cross University performing.
Dylan Curnow became Musical Director of Isabella in 2009.
The group have performed regularly for the past 25 years at Southern Cross University
functions such as graduation ceremonies and do fundraising performances in the NR.
On Friday 24 June 2011, Isabella a cappella performed for the residents of Futaba,
Fukushima, at an evacuation centre in Saitama Prefecture. Their beautiful voices brought
smiles to the faces of the evacuees, who have been relocated from their homes in the
exclusion zone surrounding the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Isabella also recorded a "tour edition" CD with legendary sound engineer Michael Stavrou,
who has recorded Paul McCartney, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, among many others.
The group has released 5 CDs and can often be heard during drive time on ABC Classic FM.
Current members are: Dylan Curnow, Victoria Szabo, Miranda Moore,
Sarah Grant, Jesse Matthews-Cooke, Jack Cavanagh and Peter Corlis.
I hope the tradition establishes 25 years ago continues and that
the music hasn’t died. Isabella is the voice of Southern Cross University.
- Ian Roberts
'Stella Uomo 2012'
Oil
61.5x61cms
by Matt Weismantel
Artist Statement
This painting, is intended to capture a moment,
the subject is caught by the audience, in a moment.
She peers into the audience, making a connection,
and breaking the fourth dimension.
It is a contemporary take on traditional modes
of portraiture, with a mostly realistic approach, with a heightened colour scheme, where the subject has
an ethereal glow, and a stark midnight blue background,
which frames the figure. The gold is a median,
to situate the girl within her environment,
and further alludes through symbolism,
the spiritual/ethereal connotations, of the picture,
as god was used to ordain religious effigies,
and places of worship in most cultures.
The title ‘Stella Uomo,’ literally translates to ‘Star man,’ relating to the atmospheric aesthetic of the picture,
and references the song by David Bowie,
which is significant to the figure.
Mostly this painting is an ode to friendship.
- Matt Weismantel
'Thirteen'
Sitter: Phoebe Rose Paterson
Oil on canvas
by Maria Paterson
Artist Statement
My portrait is of my daughter.
She has given me so much joy
and I have learnt so much from her.
I chose to paint her in her winter dressing gown,
guitar in hand staring at the TV,
as it struck me as such a contrast, and I'm very
interested in the dualities of our human existence.
Thirteen is an age where they say
consciousness starts;
I thought the introspective expression on her face
described this. I feel it is about
the leaving of childhood
and starting the journey
through the teenage years.
- Maria Paterson
'Radiance'
Subject: Sue Alford
Oil on canvas
by Kane Bowman
Artist Statement
Having spent eight years in Melbourne,
I came back to Lismore
with more knowledge about painting.
On my return, I was very happy to discover the
Serpentine Community Gallery in North Lismore.
I became interested in the community focus
of the gallery and joined the volunteer team.
Upon meeting one of the other gallery members,
Sue Alford, I took inspiration for this painting
from her inner warmth and radiance
- Kane Bowman, 2012
SERPENTINE COMMUNITY GALLERY
17 Bridge St, North Lismore, NSW, 2480.
Contact (02) 6621 6845 or serpentineartsgallery@gmail.com