Bunderground

'Bunderground' happened last night! 

Bunderground was an event incorporating art, music and video...the brainchild of Brad Marsellos.  The project was immediately embraced by Jess Marsellos and me, and was developed to show at my  Dirty Linen Artspace.

Bunderground had 3 aspects...music, art and video. It showcased works by young, emerging musicians and filmmakers together with works of art and video by myself and several other senior artists and photographers.  (One musician came from as far away as New York!!.)

It was an exciting night of music, art, digital projections and an amazing short film by Joe Saxby and Tyler Sajko...young Bundaberg filmmakers.

The depth of talent  of Bundaberg's young emerging talent is quite remarkable.

Can't wait for Bunderground 2!! Cx

 

Brain Drain - from New York, performed at Dirty Linen

Clinton's show

My friend Clinton Cross had another exhibition of small contemporary works on paper at my Dirty Linen Artspace.  He was quite successful once more but a bit short of  a sellout like his previous show.  There were some delightful small works and somehow a huge 6m x about 2m painting on paper by Jennifer McDuff slipped past the measuring stick. This of course pleased everybody, as Jennifer is one of our district's favourite artists.

All week I have been busy on the computer creating video files for projection for a special dinner coming up next month.  The venue has changed from the local Catholic  college to the H20 bar and restaurant on the Burnett River.  The videos relate to the small crops industry and so I started the week with  a trip to the markets to photograph the fruit and vegetables.

 

 I am combining these photos with some of the aerial shots I took a while back, and of course Brigid will star again. 

There is a big weekend coming up with Bundaground, curated by Brad Marsellos.  I might catch you up with that story tomorrow.  Till soon.  cx

More video projections

I recently finished a short video for Maryborough's Mary Poppins festival, that is coming up soon.  I kept the designs very simple.  I took  the photos of my best, most interesting umbrella.  It's quite large.  Once I collected  all the photos, I converted them to black and white and then I inverted them all.  I built up many layers  to achieve the results seen  here.  Simple designs work well for projections. 

I have a new projector and I'm not feeling confident about its ability to provide the results I want.  I might ring Dell tomorrow and see what they can advise. Perhaps I have missed some information in the manual.

I am working towards another evening of projections at a local college.  Tell you about
that next time.

Talk art soon!  cx  

Video workshop

Last Friday we had a film night at BRAG about the history of video. Presented by Rhys and Tara from dLux Media Arts.  This was followed by a two day weekend workshop, which covered the basics of video production and some of the theory behind it.  
This was a very stimulating workshop and we are all keen to  work with Tara and Rhys again.   Brad and I projected some images on Sunday evening.

I'm waiting for the delivery of my new digital projector!  Exciting!

Golden Syrup

A digital print titled Golden Syrup. 

When I was little it was a treat to have a large slice of fresh white bread spread with ‘real’ butter and dripping with Golden Syrup.

Busy, busy!

I am so happy that some of my recent projects have  finished.   I am too busy.  The domestic violence project I have been working on is almost complete.  The two large pull up banners are great and the images  printed on them from my designs are quite strong.  I think that they convey the message that 'domestic violence is not ok'. 

I will post some pictures  soon.  

The New Mexico project has been keeping me busy, especially now that the blog has gained momentum.  I have been producing quite a lot of work for New Mexico, but I want to do much more.  I need four strong pieces that will connect as  a group.Two works will go to New Mexico and they must be good.

I have also had two photoshoots this week.  One with Brigid and another with my friend Pamela, so I have dozens of  digital images to inspire me.

There's a blogging workshop on this coming Sunday and a Video workshop the following weekend.

That week, Clinton will be having an exhibition in Dirty Linen.  And that is only the major events! 

I need a holiday!!

Here's a rather fun picture of Brigid using an aerial photograph....

...after Frida Kahlo.

Talk art soon. cx

Hi tea, somewhere over Bundaberg.

I am having so much fun with these layered images.  My work always goes in a good direction if I just play.  I think  I will be working with more of the aerial photos too shortly. I am amazed at how well the photos came out, shot through the plane window.

What I really need is bird images.  I don't know if I am going to have time to become a bird-spotter, but I might have to find time...if only for these recent works.

I can probably find pelicans at Woodgate.  That's about 40 minutes or so South of Bundaberg. Not far to go to snap a pelican is it? Or to be snapped?

cx

New Mexico exhibition

My works are coming thick and fast at present.  I need four good works for the show in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  In October two works will arrive at 'Unsettled Gallery' and two will go to BRAG to be hung there.

It's very exciting and I will look in to going to Las Cruces if I can. 

Attached are two more digital works.They are versions derived from the one bride photograph. I have used biscuit tin lids, souveniers, toys anything I can find to photograph for these works. There are several layers of images in them.   cx

 

 

 

 

'Special Selection'

I am posting a digital image I finished tonight.  It is a work that opens a dialogue about identity, culture and memory.

The image reflects my interest in the work of Frida Kahlo.  As a self-taught artist,  I have learnt much about structure from her works. In 'Special Selection', I have  included many layers of photographs of the model and of images from the lids of biscuit tins.

It was a treat for me to see some of Frida's  paintings and drawings in the Pallant Gallery, Chichester, UK in 2011.  Her works are incredibly powerful 'in the flesh'... mostly painted with tiny brushes. 

Alongside her artworks, where those of her husband Diego Riviera.  In this exhibition, the works of Frida shone!

                                                  

Talk art soon!  cx

WideBay/HighDesert

The WideBay/HighDesert project is well underway now that the blog is sorted.  We four Wide Bay artists seem to have things progressing.   Susan Hutton has been posting photos and also some of her sublime poetry as well, so look out for that.

Adrienne has had a few worries, but seems to be getting through the work now.

Trevor has been clearing his workspace, to be ready to start on a work shortly.

I seem to be producing at present, so I hope that will continue.

You can see what we are all up to at the following link....http://widebayhighdesert.wordpress.com

We have only met two of the four New Mexico artists, but we hope once their paperwork is done, that we will be able to catch up with them  all.

I have attached a digital work I produced this evening.    Till soon  c x

New work

This digital image is my latest for the WideBay/HighDesert exchange exhibition.

Coonar Bride

I spent all day yesterday glued to the computer to almost finish this work.   It has many layers.  The girl is a  local friend and is sure to feature in more works coming up.

WideBay/HighDesert exchange exhibition

I have borrowed some text from the new blog site for the WideBay/HighDesert Exchange exhibition project:

About Wide Bay – High Desert

'What happens when you bring artists from opposite sides of the planet together to create an exhibition? Let’s take 4 artists from Queensland, Australia and 4 from New Mexico, USA and find out! After much work behind the scenes, the result is Wide Bay – High Desert, a collaborative exhibition project between artists from two regional areas, with very different geographical and cultural perspectives, and simply overflowing with creative people. The artworks resulting from this collaboration will be shown at two beautiful but quite different galleries; one in Las Cruces and the other in Childers.
We’re also entering the world of digital technology to see if we can successfully pull off this joint exhibition. The artists will be using this blog to get to know each other and share their ideas as they work towards the final exhibition. Which will give you the chance to find out where those amazing finished works of art come from; how artists think, how and why ideas change and most importantly, how we’ll celebrate the official opening’s’!
We hope Wide Bay – High Desert will help grow a new audience for these talented artists and expand their international horizons, whilst at the same time allowing everyone a glimpse into their creative processes. Thanks for joining us on this adventure.'

http://widebayhighdesert.wordpress.com/

This will be an interesting blog, so save this link to go to the homepage.

Below is a digital image I have developed for this project.  It may not be one chosen for the October exhibition, but it is a start. I have used some past images with photographs of a 3d assemblage and a photograph taken from a plane over Bundaberg. So there are several layers combined here.

 cx

 

 

Dirty Linen

My Dirty Linen Artspace will be open tomorrow from 10 - 2pm.  Come along and talk art!  Coffee and tea provided.  Bring your lunch if you like.

 

Wide Bay/High Desert exchange exhibition

It was an exciting day today as  the four artists selected by BRAG (Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery) came together at Dirty Linen today to discuss the upcoming exchange exhibition. 

(Jess Marsellos enjoyed  our feast, as did the others.)



The artists selected are Susan Hutton (Cordalba),  Trevor Spohr (Maryborough), Adrienne Williams(Mt Perry), and myself...representing Bundaberg.

The exhibition called Wide Bay High/Desert is to be held in October.The four artists will each produce four artworks. Two of the works will be exhibited in Bundaberg and two will be exhibited in New Mexico at the time of the exhibition.

Themes will relate to the landscape, and/or cultural issues.

This is an exciting project that will bring our region under the lime light.  It will raise the international profile of the artists involved and promote BRAG as an innovative gallery, proactive in the promotion of its artists.

There have been some delays in the setting up of the Blog, so I am going to  drop in to see if I can assist, this week some time.

In the meantime, two of my exhibition posters were sold today and have gone to  a lovely home.  I also took some more photos of Susan for my Domestic Violence project, which is shaping up.

I almost forgot to tell you that Trevor and a friend passed on to me a rather lovely wedding dress for my mannequin, Audrey.   She's delighted!      See photo attached.

Talk art soon!  Cx

Domestic Violence Project

I spent the last couple of days preparing  the files I will be giving Alissa.  Some of them are a bit grainy, so I will have to sort out the reason for that.    There is so much to learn about photography...unless of course you prefer just to set the camera to auto!

I have  been invited to complete a small installation relating to domestic violence.  The work will include mannequins, digital imagery, and  a digital projection.   The completed work will travel to  a variety of venues.

This is a great opportunity for me and I am keen to get started.

 

 

 

Above is another photo of Alissa.  This turned out to be a really fun photoshoot.

Alissa again

 

 

 

Posting a couple more photographs I took of Alissa - singer, musician

 

 

 

 

 

Alissa

This evening I had a wonderful time photographing the very talented Alissa, whom I had met at the BRAG art auction on the weekend.  She is a very talented singer.  I asked if she would pose for me .  I was very excited when she agreed.

I am very happy with the results of this photoshoot and I think I can  say that I am finally starting to understand how my new camera works.  Brad will be relieved !!

Art auction

Congratulations to the enterprising and caring staff of the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, who held an art auction to raise funds for some of their volunteers who were badly affected by the floods.  This event was very successful. Buyers were delighted with their purchases.

 

Thanks must also go to the artists who gave so generously from their collections. Many of the artists and staff of BRAG purchased works as well. 

 

But one can only wonder where all the Councillors were....and where was the Mayor???   I heard many voters voicing  their disappointment.

 

 

 

Lloyd Rees

It has been a busy week. Last Saturday Brad and I had the video bombing to do, and that was fun in spite of a few mistakes we made. Fortunately, the problems we had were minor and did not interfere with the projection itself.

We are going to write ourselves a checklist for future reference..

Trevor Spohr, from Gatakers Artspace was kind enough to invite us back in June, so we have plenty of time to prepare  some new material.  In fact, I have finished one video already.

One of my responses to the recent flooding has been to downsize.  I  gave  two full carloads of domestic paraphenalia  to St Vinnies and most of the rest went up to the dump shop near the CQ University,  I'm really  happy about this, in spite of the fact that some of the discards were old artworks of mine

I donated about five artworks to BRAG for their fundraisng auction next Saturday,  to help some of the gallery volunteers  who have suffered  extreme losses.

This evening I went to BRAG to see a retrospective of the work of Lloyd Rees...one of my favourite Australian artists.  His portrayal of the Australian landscape is so real.

In 1988 when I first started painting,  I entered the painting  section of the Bundaberg Show, when it was in town..  Although, I did not win a prize, the judge, Mr David Burnett, gave from his pocket to award me a book of the work of Lloyd  Rees.  Apparently, he saw something in my watercolour painting of a mulberry tree that prompted him to make this fine gesture.

That time seems an eternity away.

Photoshoot

I have been lucky this last week to have had two beautiful women pose for me.  Sonya is mother to Brigid.  Sonya is very proud of Brigid, who is an aspiring young actress. The two are very close.

 

It was a wonderful and fun photoshoot. There were so many good pictures to choose from. I think I am improving with my photography.   It takes time!   cx

Website

I make up to four personal websites a  year and have just completed the latest.It is  so easy with the software you can get these days.  I have used  Serif Webplus 4 here.  That version has been superseded many times now and I'm sure their latest version would be very good.

I usually make my websites from scratch, adding all the links and so on, but this time I used a template.  It is certainly easier and quicker using templates.

The picture to the right is a screen capture. If you are interested to visit my website....go to:

www.christineturner.com.au

Gatakers Artspace video bombing 2013

Gatakers Artspace held a Flood fundraiser  and this resulted in a fabulous evening of entertainment, which included video bombing by Brad Marsellos and me.

We  learnt quite a bit from this session...our first more public engagement. 

Dirty Linen 2013

Dirty Linen Art Space

 

Hi all, Just letting you know that Dirty Linen will be open for the remainder of the year, but on a reduced scale due to commitments.
The gallery will open 10- 2pm, the first Sunday of each month unless otherwise advised.

There are three or four exhibitions coming up. You will be advised about them shortly.

... Please note that Brad Marsellos and Christine Turner will be presenting a video bombing on the facade of Gatakers Artspace this Saturday night, 23rd Feb.

This will be very exciting and will coincide with other presentations, music etc, all monies to benefit the flood appeal.

Great chance to see a variety of different performances, and an opportunity to see Jennifer Mc Duff's exhibition that is currently on show at Gatakers! cx

Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery After Flood party.

Tonight I attended a dinner initiated by the staff at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG).  The evening was about bringing together artists and other interested parties  after all the negativity of recent weeks.  It was a great night, and we artists, expressed interest in attending future events of this kind.

The powers that be, at BRAG, have conducted a number of fact finding missions over recent months, and really seem to have been listening to what the artists  have been saying over a number of issues.

I personally feel encouraged by the stance the staff at BRAG are taking and the support they are offering the local artists.

Great flood song and film clip. Check it out!

http://youtu.be/sGZ50wR2XAc







This is a great film clip and song by Jessie Lovejoy!

Eight days from Australia Day - ABC Wide Bay Qld - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Eight days from Australia Day - ABC Wide Bay Qld - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Photos by ABC Open Wide Bay Producer,  Brad Marsellos.

Art and Duck talk

I'm hoping to get this blog more focused on art again, as things seem to be settling down  a bit now across the flood ravaged areas.  Some people are returning to their homes in North Bundaberg now, which seemed to be one of the worst affected areas.. 

I just called by Phil and Marlies's art framing shop, and the tilers had about a quarter of the tiles down.  The shop is looking superb. New light grey paint, new tiles, new decorative windows, nice dark red accent.  The shop will be rearranged and ready for a fresh start.  Sounds like time for a party....almost - have to get all that art paper back to the shop, from Dirty Linen.    The papers and books and some other vulnerable materials had been transferred to DL for safe keeping and to prevent them getting contaminated with mould spores.

I am thinking we will have a party at DL this weekend coming as many artists and friends have indicated the desire to get together.  There are many issues to address and the need to de-brief after the storm , the  flood, the Bundaberg Bohemians show and so on.  We also need to discuss the future of Dirty Linen, which is in some doubt.

To lighten these more sombre issues, there is bound to be some light-hearted chat and even some concerns  about Brad Marsellos's plan to bring a 5 story yellow rubber duck from it's home in Sydney Harbour, to our Burnett River, to bring a smile to the faces of many and to put forward the notion that the river won't beat us...which is a fact!! 

Go to the following link for Duck information.  Small rubber ducks are appearing all over town.  See if you can spot one. I saw two today!


https://www.facebook.com/#!/BringTheDuckToBundy?fref=ts

 

 

 

Give the duck a go!...and talk art soon!   c x

Exclusion Zone Clean-Up | Bundaberg NewsMail

Exclusion Zone Clean-Up | Bundaberg NewsMail   

Click that link for some amazing photos of the exclusion zone (North Bundaberg), which sustained the most devastating flood and storm damage.

Volunteering

I had noticed last night the SES were calling on Facebook, for wheelbarrows at a site near the river, and so I decided to volunteer my wheelbarrow with myself attached.

Travelling to North Bundaberg can be a little different every time you drive there. what is a constant, is that you will always be in a long line of traffic. The route is from the old bridge, turn left and follow the battered riverside for a couple of kilometres, thus circumnavigating North Bundaberg. Head East to the highway and a kind policeman or SES worker will indicate that you must turn right to North Bundaberg. The need to travel around the outskirts of North Bundaberg is because of the severe road damage North Bundaberg  sustained. Potholes, massive sinkholes and missing bitumen have required many of the main roads to be closed, as was the Tallon Bridge that had a huge hole in it and required immediate closure.

Travelling towards North Bundaberg, I sail past homes and businesses that had not been seriously affected by the storm and flood. Of course, when you soon come across the small house that has floated down Queen Street and established itself on a busy corner, you know things are not right!

Finally in North Bundaberg, I parked at my friends Phil and Marlies's high set house. They had been holidaying with relatives in Germany when about a metre of water gushed through the lower floor of their high set home, swallowing up everything there including some very valuable art books.

Their art framing business, Art Plus, had suffered inundation also. Along with the loss of their Jeep and art van, they seem to have had more than their fair share of misfortune.

I had been amongst the volunteers that helped cleanup their properties and hopefully they will be back in action soon. The house had been cleaned out, washed with a gurney and now only awaits connection of electricity. They were lucky that their water supply had not disconnected.

Their shop has been cleaned out of damaged stock, washed with the gurney, painted and will have floors tiled hopefully for reopening early next week once some stock that had been relocated is returned.

All these miracles have happened within such a short time.

I went with my wheel barrow down to Fagg Street, which had been a visual nightmare a few days back. The dusty roadway had been narrowed by huge smelly piles of the complete contents of every house on the street. The silt sodden piles were growing everyday, awaiting removal by men driving bob cats. 

The street had been full of SES workers, police, volunteers, homeowners and their relatives and the Army. There were people delivering cakes and treats or bottles of water, gloves, disinfectants-all manner of things for the workers!! Big Potable Water trucks would drive by. Trucks sprinkling water to keep the dust down, Trucks full of drinking water, army tanks full of very fit soldiers and police vans and fire engines.

Today it was  quieter. There were only a few people about and all the rubbish piles were gone. I started to feel that things had reached a turning point...that we, together had shown that we won't give in. But that impression went out the door when later that afternoon I went to help clean out a home down by the river.

Cleanup of this property had only begun today. The owner had stipulated that everything in the house was to be disposed of.

Entering the dark house was a shocking experience. All the furniture had been tossed about and broken. Cupboards had disgorged their contents all over the floor. Rooms were exploding with broken beds, chairs, filthy pillows and blankets. The kitchen was indescribable. In fact, the entire house and it's jumbled broken contents was indescribable.

A thick layer of sticky smelly black mud covered everything.

A few volunteers had already started work, We would nod or say a quick hello. I have found that volunteers don't seem to talk to each other much. This is partly because they are trying to get the job done as quickly as possible. As well as this, there seems to be a solemnity surrounding the cleanup task. As I gathered up the chattels of a persons life, I felt moved by the experience...even haunted by it. Then to discard these chattels brutally on a heap, is quite heartbreaking.

I hang on to a couple of thoughts. One is that in a year or two, the majority of flood victims will have their lives back on track. Secondly, I think there are always interesting possibilities that come with a new start.

I learnt today, that there is still a lot of work to be done.. Hope to work with you soon!