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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Everywhere

Moving on with my series "behind closed doors" ... here is my latest piece ... Everywhere.
My good friends Barry and Fiona donated this wonderful rescued timber to me and immediately it gave me the inspiration for terrain - which then sparked the idea of travelling over the terrain - and that led me to think of the great Australian song from the sixties " I've Been Everywhere" ... and so here is the result of this inspirational process ... the work stands 400mm high.





 120 tiny hand-made books are titled with the names of the towns in the song .. 

more books on the second shelf ...

and finally the 17 states and territories of the Australian Continent


The Story :
This artwork is based on the great Australian song ..

I’ve Been Everywhere -
Lyrics by Geoff Mack, as sung by Lucky Starr (1962)
check it out and sing along !!!!  -  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UAh7ogwAYQ

Well, I was humpin’ my bluey on the dusty Oodnadatta road,
When along came a semi with a high and canvas-covered load.

(Spoken) “If you’re goin’ to Oodnadatta, mate, um, with me you can ride.”

So I climbed in the cabin and I settled down inside.
He asked me if I’d seen a road with so much dust and sand, I said
“Listen, mate, I’ve travelled ev’ry road in this here land.”

Chorus:
Cos “I’ve been everywhere, man,
I’ve been everywhere, man.
‘Cross the deserts bare, man;
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I’ve had my share, man.
I’ve been ev’rywhere.

Been to:
Tullamore, Seymour, Lismore, Mooloolaba,
Nambour, Maroochydore, Kilmore, Murwillumbah,
Birdsville, Emmaville, Wallaville, Cunnamulla,
Condamine, Strathpine, Proserpine, Ulladulla,
Darwin, Gin Gin, Deniliquin, Muckadilla,
Wallumbilla, Boggabilla, Kumbarilla,
I’m a killer.

Chorus

(Spoken) “Yeah but listen here, mate, have you been to…”

I’ve been to Moree, Taree, Jerilderie, Bambaroo,
Toowoomba, Gunnedah, Caringbah, Woolloomooloo,
Dalveen, Tamborine, Engadine, Jindabyne,
Lithgow, Casino, Brigalow and Narromine,
Megalong, Wyong, Tuggerawong, Wangarella,
Morella, Augathella, Brindabella, I’m the feller.

Chorus

(Spoken) “Yeah, I know that, but have you been to…”

I’ve been to Wollongong, Geelong, Kurrajong, Mullumbimby,
Mittagong, Molong, Grong Grong, Goondiwindi,
Yarra Yarra , Bouindarra, Wallangarra, Turramurra,
Boggabri, Gundagai, Narrabri, Tibooburra,
Gulgong, Adelong, Billabong, Cabramatta,
Parramatta, Wangaratta, Coolangatta, what’s it matter?

Chorus

(Spoken) “Yeah, look that’s fine, but how about…”

I’ve been to Ettalong, Dandenong, Woodenbong, Ballarat,
Canberra, Milperra, Unanderra, Captains Flat,
Cloncurry, River Murray, Kurri Kurri, Girraween,
Terrigal, Fingal, Stockinbingal, Collaroy and Narrabeen,
Bendigo, Dorrigo, Bangalow, Indooroopilly,
Kirribilli, Yeerongpilly, Wollondilly, don’t be silly.

Chorus

I’ve been here, there, ev’rywhere, I’ve been ev’rywhere.

(Spoken) “Okay, mate, you’ve been ev’ry place except one, and ya don’t need my help t’get there.”
(Sound of door slamming and truck driving off.)

I hope you have enjoyed this blog - do call again sometime ...
to view more of my artworks, visit my website




My never travelled / stay at home / inside puss - Tom

6 comments:

Jo Murray said...

Saw this piece at the exhibition and it is even better than the photos. Congratulations Ken.

ArtPropelled said...

Oh wow, you create the most amazing pieces! I had fun singing along too :-)

Ken Munsie said...

Dear Robyn
thank you for your comments ... you are always very generous ...
Wow - I would love to hear such an Aussie song sung with a South African accent !!!!! ... it's all fun ...
The song was a great hit here way back in the sixties - nineteen sixties that is ... I can remember at school we all had great fun trying to sing the words - so who would have thought back then that 50 years later I would have created an artpiece celebrating that song ... I rather love the idea of being inspired by song - especially songs from a nearly forgotten youth ...
I run an artist group here - COMA the Collaboration of Maleny Artists - and twice a year we do an exhibition based on a theme ( that I give them ...) - we are currently working on the theme - the Twelve Days of Christmas ... another song !!
Maybe there's an idea for another blog - artworks inspired by song ... I'll leave it with you ...
cheers - Ken

Fiona Dempster said...

Hi Ken - a lovely piece - the layers and hidden bits are delightful. Great to see the hand me down timber look so beautiful!

Barry said...

K-as others have said the layers of meaning and craft in this piece are amazing. It struck me that with all the hidden compartments and doors it is like one of those old travelling trunks that explorers took on great adventures - this also fits in with the being everywhere theme. Beautiful intricate creation from such a mouldy old plank of timber. Go well. B

Ken Munsie said...

Dear Jo Barry and Fiona
thanks for your comments ... I love Barry's idea of a battered old leather travelling trunk - full of books to read on the journey !!! - maybe across the Australian Continent on camel back ...
Now there's another idea to work on ...
cheers - Ken