Various Artists - Artfelt Art Prize Salon de Refuse
14th SEPTEMBER 2012: Opening celebration for the exhibition
Artfelt Art Prize Salon de Refuse
on Friday from 6-8pm.
There is a breath-taking range of mediums and interpretations this year
exploring the theme 'On light and darkness'
so it looks set to be a powerful exhibition indeed.
The Salon de Refuse Opening Night is designed as a celebration of the artists
and a fundraiser for Heartfelt House so entry is by gold coin donation.
Given there are exceptional art works to experience,
lucky door prizes to be given away - thanks to the sponsors,
a chance to vote on your favourite work to win the 'People's Choice Award'
plus special guests - it's more than worth it!
All entry money raised goes to Heartfelt House,
providing much needed support to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Please let all your friends and family know about this event,
and we look forward to seeing you all there!
Light refreshments will be available.
Artfelt Art Prize Salon de Refuse
is on view from the 5th to the 30th of September 2012.
The opening celebration
Opening speeches are given by Artfelt Art Prize 2012 Project Coordinator Jacqueline King,
Heartfelt House Executive Director Vicki Dobrunz and Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell.
The face of each and every listener reflects the serious nature of the Heartfelt House cause.
Jenny Dowell awards the Winner's Winner prize
to 'Afraid of the Dark' by Lesley Brown
A lighter moment as the lucky door prize winners are drawn.
Time for art appreciation and conversation.
The artworks
'Hope is a thing with feathers'
White Raku, mid-fired glaze
Artist Statement: 'Hope for me is a powerful force of light that pierces through the darkness.
My artwork was inspired by the poem 'Hope is a thing with feathers'
written by poet Emily Dickinson in the late 1800s.
Emily describes hope as a bird that she has heard sing in the chillest land and on the strangest sea.'
- Leah Thiessen, September 2012
'Hideaway'
Acrylic
Artist Statement:
Taking into consideration the theme of the exhibition
as well as the plight of survivors of sexual abuse,
this painting aims to convey the message
“In order to reach the light outside,
you will first need the courage
to step through the darkness”.
- Jenny Buchanan, September 2012
'Dragonfly, Dragonflight'
Oil on canvas
Artist Statement:
'This work is a creative interpretation of the theme
darkness and lightness through the use of symbolic form.
The dragonfly/dragon flight symbolizes expression of
the freedom of the individual and wholistic insight.
Whilst it draws inspiration from the natural world, it also
responds to that and explores the power of self-expression.'
- Garry Andrews, September 2012
'Decisions'
Acrylic
by Maria Heaton
'A Dance of Life'
Book
by Louise Blood
'Silent Sounds'
Oil
Artist Statement:
Silent Sounds,
shadows cast upon our imaginings,
Luminous Splendor,
energy spirals into a void...
a stillness of nothingness and everything.
Hope and faith
as we embrace A New Day.
- Barbara Suttie, September 2012
'Luminous Splendor'
Oil on canvas
'Love Makes Its Move'
Mixed media on canvas
Artist Statement
'Love bends and stretches;
changes and rearranges
Love includes you
and then shuts you out
Love makes its move
then strings you along
Love makes room for more,
if it's true and strong
Love sees hope
when there's no hope to give
Love,
not hate,
is the only way to live.'
- Marika Bryant, September 2012
'When darkness falls my spirit rises'
Wire, clay and wood
Artist Statement:
'My current work investigates
the relationship between people
– using animals instead of the human figure.
My works look at the underlying emotions
that colour our lives
– nothing is ever just black and white,
no one is ever quite what they seem and
people only slowly reveal the many layers
that make them the person that we see.
My sculptures look at the animal spirits
that I believe watches over each of us.'
- Kay Johnson, September 2012
'Ray of Sunshine'
'Lighting the Way'
Works in acrylic by Janet McMullen
'Future Horizons'
Glass, sterling silver
Artists Statement:
A collaborative piece of art created
by long-standing friends
Margaret Dodd and Gloria Roszkiewicz.
Margaret has a background in lapidary
– cutting, polishing and
setting stones in silver to create jewelery.
Gloria has many years experience in
painting and creative glass work.
Together they saw the possibility of
combining their innovative expertise
to create free form glass jewelery pieces.
- Dodd & Roszkiewicz, September 2012
'Fade to Black 4'
Photographic light panel
by Sevil and Blanch
'Sweet innocence'
Stained glass
Artist Statement:
'This work describes a classical guitar composition
of the same name by MaryJane Leahy,
Science Tutor at Wollongong University.
The central portrait is of MaryJane at 5 years old.
Sexually abused as a child, the composition
signifies the re-discovery of the innocence of childhood
after a period of counselling.
She is surrounded here by images of children at play, including my son Leon and daughters Jennifer and Olivia, from whom I had been estranged for many years.'
- Jeffrey Hamilton, September 2012
'One Dark Moonlit Night'
Oil on canvas
by Meg Egglestone
'Releasing the gold'
Acrylic and mixed media
Artist Statement:
'When painting both of these qualities are
present with me. Without light, we cannot see,
without darkness we cannot perceive light.
I am fascinated by the play of colour
when light falls upon it, the way that the eye perceives movement through light and darkness.
My inspiration always is nature,
what we as human do to alter it, to change it,
sometimes to embellish it and at other times to alienate it.
Through my paintings, I try to express what I feel,
what I hear, what I see,
and light and darkness are always present.'
- Francoise Sauvere, September 2012
'Day Always Follows Night'
Acrylic
Artist Statement: 'I have symbolised here the use of a natural event, the dawn of day,
how the light will expose ultimately the shadows in our lives.'
- Mary Minard, September 2012
'Limelight'
'New Life'
Photography by Chris Weinmann
'Labyrinth'
Paint and ink on canvas
Artist Statement:
'This Labyrinth is an actual physical structure,
a beautiful, healing, space created by myself
and many loved ones some years ago.
Whenever I am feeling ungrounded,
out of balance, or simply “because”,
I mindfully walk the Labyrinth
and sit quietly at its centre, simply being
in that sacred space I feel closest to Spirit,
and always emerge feeling light-hearted,
gently centred, and reconnected with my self.
In this simple and peaceful way
I welcome light and healing into my life.'
- Linnie Lambrechtsen,
September 2012
'Sacred Tree'
Paint and ink on canvas
Artist Statement:
'This work celebrates the essential Light-filled,
Life-force energy which flows through all that is.
Until recently, a majestic Hoop Pine, which radiated a wonderful, nurturing, Guardian energy, stood near my home. Sometimes I would reach out to this tree to rejuvenate myself. Sadly, it no longer stands,
but its descendants now grow in its place.
“Sacred Tree” honours the Spirit of that tree,
and the gently strength, buoyant,
healing energy and grounded presence
that Spirit bestows upon us'.
by Linnie Lambrechtsen
September 2012
'Power From Within'
Oils and metallic powder
Artist Statement:
'Through darkness
we find the light
which shines from within.
This painting
is a representation
of the power that shines
within us through those
dark times in our lives.'
September 2012
'This Side of Dawn'
Etching and aquatint on hahnemuhle paper
by Rachel Dun
'Scottish Coast 2'
Oil and acrylic on canvas
by Jeff Harrison
'Love Barred'
Mixed media, collage on Arches paper
Artist Statement:
'The Soul is heavily manacled
in a dark prison of depression.
All overtures of the light of love
cannot penetrate through the bars.'
- Louise Blood,
September 2012
'Hunger'
Oil on panel
by Alyssa Black
'Luminous'
Oil on canvas
Artist Statement:
'The action
of self expression
inspires and motivates me.
The 'action'
or the physical outpouring
of one's inner self
becomes a connective force.
This raw but intangible energy
is what I attempt to convey
onto canvas.'
- Carolyn O'Neill, September 2012
'Illuminated'
Acrylic on canvas
Artist Statement:
'In many cultures worldwide,
owls symbolize illuminated knowledge or enlightenment.
The reason for this is obvious: their extraordinary night vision
enables them to perceive in darkness what others often cannot.
This painting depicts Australia's Barking Owl (Ninox connivens),
also sometimes known as the 'Screaming Bird Woman'
because of an alternative, more eerie call it emits,
apparently only at the beginning of the breeding season.
Perhaps this call alerts us to the need for enlightenment
specifically with regard to sexual behaviour!'
- Jill Garsden, September 2012
'Threads of Independent World-lines 1' and 'Threads of Independent World-lines 2'
Bleach on card
Artist Statement: I feel I have traveled through space and time with these particles,
weaving the ideas and materials together to this moment in time.
The poetic beauty of the bleach works on the card in a never-ending process of possibility
- both creative and destructive - not unlike our own potential.
- Annique Goldenberg, September 2012
'Mangroves at Salt'
'Shadows at Salt'
Works in oil by Judy Stanhope
'Climber 1'
'Climber 2'
Oil on canvas works
Artist Statement: 'Healing is a journey and can take many paths. Sometimes we climb purposefully towards the light,
feeling the sun warm our bones. Sometimes the past pulls at us, slowing us down. We take small steps in the dark.
Sometimes climbing fearlessly, swinging out on a ledge even though laden by baggage, that is always there as a shadow
gently following. These paintings came about after being mesmerised by climbers in the South of Thailand and each
individual's movement and approach to the challenge of getting up the same rock face – a great metaphor for life.'
- Manuela Pilz, September 2012
'Without a Shadow of a Doubt'
Acrylic on canvas
Artist Statement:
''This work speaks of the shadow,
its existence within us,
its complexities,
its acknowledgment
and of my escape into it.'
- Valerie Kerr, September 2012
'Darkness Fading'
Oil on canvas
Artist Statement: 'Taoists believe mist
to be the breath of the earth.
As the mist of even the darkest night lifts
the light of a new day will dawn.'
- Elaine Green, September 2012
'Seabed Series Neckpiece'
Lamp-worked glass, copper mesh, sterling silver
'Seafire Series Neckpiece and Bracelet'
Lamp-worked glass, copper, sterling silver, Viking knit wire
'Lake Ainsworth with the Lights on'
Infrared photography on metallic paper,
LED-light lit
by Mark Davis
'Silvered Amber Series Necklace'
Lamp-worked glass, amber, lapis, sterling silver
Artist Statement: 'Working with glass
is working with liquid light – glass is about transparency and opacity,
clarity and reflection.
Much of my work is influenced by
the marine environment.
The sparkling blue waters conceal the wonders of coral reefs
as well as the darkness of the deep.'
- Su Bishop, September 2012
'Towards the light - a Coorabell landscape'
Oil on canvas by Heika Braha
'Winter's Dread'
Acrylic
Artworks by Lesley Brown
'Afraid of the Dark'
Mixed media
'Sand, Sea and Soul Searching'
Mixed media
Artist statement:
'When darkness swirls toward the soul,
reach out to the sea,
catch a glimmer cresting on a wave
and know that sometimes
light will shine
in unexpected places.'
- Deborah Gower, September 2012
'Opportunity to Grow'
Artist Statement:
'In the delicately pristine ecosystem of Dorrigo National Park, life balances precariously on light and dark. Whilst massive trees reach up competing for the light, their leaves lean out to find their own place
of light filtering through the canopy. When one of these giants falls it
creates a beautiful pathway for the light to reach down to the depths.
Only then, precious tiny organisms can find a sound foothold
in the dark and being growing towards the light.'
- Liza Holmes, September 2012
'Reaching for the Light'
Digital photography on canvas
'A Little Light Dispels A Lot Of Darkness'
Infrared photography, metallic paper
Artist Statement: 'My photography is painting with light and making invisible infra-red light visible.
I want to make an image and not just take a photo.'
- Mark Davis, September 2012
'Reflections, Byron Bay'
Works in acrylic
'Waves Alight'
Artist Statement:
'I am constantly fascinated by the
movement of light across water.
I walk the beach at Lennox Head in the early mornings
and regularly walk and swim at Byron Bay.
I have tried to capture the sun on waves
and wet sand in my paintings.
There is a joy always when I feel I may have a glimpse
of the intensity of the light in the work produced.'
- Christine Read, September 2012
'Blue Moon Shining White'
Clay, Danish cobalt wash
by Susanne Fraser
A little about Heartfelt House and the Artfelt Art Prize 2012
Heartfelt House Mission Statement:
We aim to provide an environment
where adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse
feel heard, nurtured, understood, validated, supported and accepted.
We endeavour to offer an environment
that allows spouses and supporters of survivors
to feel supported and heard.
We seek to provide an environment that is conducive to healing.
We aim to educate the community
of the long lasting effects of childhood sexual abuse
and of the work of Heartfelt House.
The Artfelt Art Prize 2012
This annual art prize is where outstanding art meets social purpose
as ALL money raised goes to support the work of Heartfelt House,
a not for profit organisation supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
All artworks submitted become part of a healing movement within the wider community.
The Artfelt Art Prize benefits our community in several ways including:
Arts Sector: The Northern Rivers/Far North Coast region has one of the highest per capita
rates of visual arts in Australia which creates limited/highly competitive exposure opportunities
in the local region. This art prize provides a professionally curated art exhibition in a
large public gallery space with exposure of works to an exceptional judging panel.
It is open to artists everywhere and in all mediums, not just those from Northern NSW.
Art as therapy: Art provides a healing force which aids both the maker and the viewer. (R.Newman)
Social Sector: providing a much needed platform of public awareness
about the issues of childhood sexual abuse & the work of Heartfelt House.
Media releases from HFH will also assist in raising the profile of this endemic social issue.
Selection Panel: Dr Maree Bracker (lecturer SCU), Christine Porter (Visual Artist),
Vicki Dobrunz (Executive Director Heartfelt House). For further details on Selection Panelists see website.
Judging Panel: Susi Muddiman (Director Tweed River Art Gallery),
Brett Adlington (Director Lismore Regional Gallery), Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson
Proudly Sponsored by Southern Cross University, Gaia Retreat & Spa, Core Industry Training, Crystal Castle,
Undercliff Winery, Ballina Art & Framing, The Little Art Shop Bangalow, Shiatsu Essentials, O!Hair of Alstonville,
and supported by Ballina's Northern Rivers Community Gallery and Lismore's Serpentine Community Gallery.
Artfelt Art Prize 2011 opening celebration
SERPENTINE COMMUNITY GALLERY
17 Bridge St, North Lismore, NSW, 2480.
Contact (02) 6621 6845 or serpentineartsgallery@gmail.com