Alec Gill, a grazier from Walcha, is one of the inspirational artists currently exhibiting in ‘Crossing New England IV’ at Armidale Art Gallery in the Mall.
Several years ago, while working on his sheep and cattle property, Gill began to collect pieces of mature timber, scrap metal and second hand wire, and to piece them together into sophisticated three-dimensional art.
“My art is a representation of vegetation and landscape,” Alex said.
“However, it sometimes takes human or animal form.”
Three of Gill’s works, ‘Cherry Tree’, ‘Wheat Grass IV’ and ‘The Boot’, provide a dominant, eye-catching display, as they stand amongst other evocative, vibrant and dramatic artworks.
A large crowd attended the opening, and many art lovers were outspoken in their admiration of the variety and quality of work chosen from around New England and beyond by curator Anna Henderson.
“I searched far and wide to select suitable artists, who work imaginatively in a wide variety of media. In doing so, I hoped to provide viewers with an interesting and spectacular event,” Henderson said.
Opening the exhibition, Sandra McMahon, Director of Tamworth Regional Gallery, congratulated the curator and participating artists. She told the audience that each artist takes a journey when preparing a piece of art.
“In this day of electronics, it is a real pleasure for us to be able to participate in that journey by surrounding ourselves with original art,” she said.
She was particularly impressed with the Armidale Art Gallery which, without outside funding, was able to host such an impressive exhibition right in the heart of Armidale.
More than thirty artists are participating in this year’s ‘Crossing New England’. In addition to Gill’s work, outstanding creations include evocative mixed media paintings by Julie Hutchings, Tom Moore’s spectacular tapestries, bold impressive pots by Suzanne Forsyth Hatch, exquisite digital images by David Henderson, and Jacqui Henwood’s appealing farm scenes.
Unusual and imaginative 3D works from Liz Stops and Deborah Grigg Hawkes, together with brightly striped ceramic pots by Andrew Parker, provide a unique contrast to the dramatic black and white paintings of Andrea Bruno and the virginal clean-cut landscapes of Isabelle Devos. Meanwhile, delicate glass sculptures by Michelle Schouten, and exotic ceramics by Phillip Greed reminiscent of colourful coral outcrops, bring an ethereal and almost supernatural feel to the exhibition. And there is much more.
Voted the ‘best ever’, this exhibition is well worth a visit. It will be in place until Friday, May 25, at Armidale Art Gallery, 268 Beardy Street Mall. Gallery hours: 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday; 10am to 12.00 noon Saturday. Also open on Market Day.
