MALENY ART

ChainMail hits the road ...

2012-01-03T21:44:00.000+10:00

My artwork "ChainMail" was last year selected for the 2011 Queensland Regional Art Awards Touring Exhibition, and this week I have been preparing him for his 12 month trip around Queensland, Australia. He will be travelling from one end of the state to the other, appearing in exhibitions at six locations. To make his trip secure and comfortable, I have hammered together a very attractive personalised timber travelling case and next week they are off to Brisbane to start their epic journey of about 10k kms.

The exhibition will be launched at the Cooroy Butter Factory on 03 February - from there it travells to Cooktown in tropical Far Northern Queensland, then to Cloncurry and Mt Isa - way out in the dry Western reaches of the state - then back to Brisbane to the State Library of Queenland for the four weeks of October, and finally to Ingham on the mid-North coast ... returning home in January 2013 - none the worse for wear I hope ...

Click on the link below to view the travelling show ...
http://www.flyingarts.org.au/Connection-an-exhibition-of-the-2011-Queensland-Regional-Art-Awards-ga2086.html

ChainMail

Travelling case

ChainMail and his travelling case

This work is part of my ‘Evolution’ series of small and medium sized assemblage sculptures. I use a combination of timber, rusted metal and hand-made paper. The materials have been discarded, found, rescued and assembled to create individual and unique artworks. They have been resourced from derelict farm buildings near my studio, and represent connectedness of a shared history from an era when, as a society we were more connected and in-tune with each other and the land we share. The work reflects my on-going fascination with life, death and rebirth and my interest in the traces of past existences. I start with a pile of un-related materials and slowly re-connect them into an artwork that can be read with imagination.

The last of my gardenias for this summer ...

Thank you for visiting my blog ...

for more of my artworks please go to

http://www.kenmunsie.com

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-24T21:11:00.000+10:00

عيد سعيد 圣诞快乐 Veselé Vánoce God jul

Glædelig jul Maligayang Pasko Hyvää joulua

Frohe Weihnachten Laimīgs Ziemassvētki

חג שמח! Boldog Karácsonyt Selamat Natal

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year …

Joyeux Noël ハッピークリスマス

Buon Natale Nollaig Shona Milied kuntenti

کریسمس مبارک Счастливого Рождества

Lycklig jul ความสุขวันคริสต์มาส

Mutlu Noeller Giáng sinh vui vẻ

Nadolig Llawen מזל ניטל Срећан Божић

Furaha ya Krismasi Giáng sinh vui vẻ

whatever your language the message is the same

peace and goodwill ...

cheers - Ken

Maleny Image #10

2011-11-28T21:43:00.009+10:00

COMA's end-of-year exhibition opens this week at Maple 3 Cafe in Maleny, and continues until 28 December.

The exhibition is themed on the song "The Twelve days of Christmas" - and artists were asked to select one of the verses and create an artwork with a Maleny inspiration.
Here are the entries ... all very quirky and colourful - makes for a super exhibition ...

Helen Campbell

Helen Irving

Ken Munsie

Elsie Brimblecombe

Barry Smith

Deann Cumner

Fiona Dempster

Gaynor Hardinge

Helen Almberg #1

Helen Almberg #2

Helga Nehrkorn

Janice Scullion

Jim Cox

Jinty Stockings

Jo Murray

Marianne Osborne

Mieke van Sambeeck

Noela Mills

Penny Rogan

Rosemary Almberg #1

Rosemary Almberg #2

Stephanie McLennan

Una Robinson

I hope you have enjoyed this posting ... more information about COMA the Collaboration of Maleny Artists can be found at < www.malenyarts.com >

Mystic Treasure

2011-11-16T21:58:00.000+10:00

Here I present number four in the Behind Closed Doors series of Rescued Assemblage sculptural pieces ...
This piece explores the idea of the black doors of time shutting away the mystical treasures of our precious memories.
The work is constructed from rescued timber, metal and glass plus hand-made paper made from recycled office paper.

Mystic Treasures stands 430mm high - for more details please visit my website - www.kenmunsie.com

The Story ...

The golden shards
Of the broken dawn
The silver bleach
Of midnight stars
Reveal the black doorways of time
Concealing the mystic treasures
of precious moments forgotten.
- Ken Munsie 2011

I hope you have enjoyed this blog - do call again sometime ...

to view more of my artworks, visit my website

http://www.kenmunsie.com/

Angel's Trumpets ( Golden Brugmansia ) from my garden

Everywhere

2011-10-26T21:13:00.000+10:00

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

www.kenmunsie.com

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

Refused

2011-10-14T16:28:00.000+10:00

This is my latest offering in a series titled - behind closed doors ...

The work is an artists' book in the genre of rescued assemblage ...

I have been moved to create a piece that reflects the plight of displaced and at-risk peoples of the world, and the hard-hearted attitude that many in our society have towards them - refusing them protection, and in so many cases, labelling them undesirable.

We must remember that we are all - including our indigenous population - aliens in this land and we must open our hearts to the needs of others whose lives have been placed in jeopardy by cruelty and misadventure.

Refused - behind closed doors

Refused - behind bars

Refused - detail

Refused stands 400mm tall and is created from discarded metal and timber and hand-made paper - the lettering is in Arabic.

The Story ...

The situation in Australia has never been so bad for asylum seekers escaping danger in their homelands. Where is the protection they deserve and to which they have a legal right, when both the Government and Opposition are aligned against them?

Australians have been coerced into believing the myth that our borders must be protected at all costs from this invasion of queue jumping ‘illegals’ who have no right and do not deserve to be here. After all, it is difficult to resist such united fear mongering, so ably assisted by an often compliant media.
However, it is unthinkable and irresponsible, for decent Australians to accept these myths without trying to decipher the truth, and thereby be able to make an informed and balanced decision about issues concerning asylum seekers.

But where do we go to accomplish this? Who do we ask? Luckily for Sunshine Coast residents, a small active local group is doing something to address the imbalance.

Buddies Refugee Support Group feels passionately about ensuring the fair treatment of those escaping persecution and who come to our shores for protection. Buddies could no longer stand by without creating an opportunity for the public to hear the truth from people working closely with asylum seekers and refugees.

Thinking people of the Sunshine Coast ( Queensland - Australia ) are urged to attend a public forum to hear a distinguished panel of speakers consisting of a lawyer, refugee advocates, a journalist, and a former asylum seeker, namely Julian Burnside AO,QC, Freddie Steen, Pamela Curr, Paul Syvret and Homo Forotan.

Buddies, in association with Graduate Women Sunshine Coast, encourages residents to come for two hours on Sunday,16th October 2011 to learn the facts and participate in a dynamic discussion with a respected panel. ( check out their website for more details - http://refugeebuddies.com/ )

- media release from Buddies

Hippeastrum - Ken Munsie

www.kenmunsie.com

New Work from Ken Munsie

2011-08-31T22:56:00.000+10:00

Keeper of the Words

At last a new piece of rescued assemblage is complete and ready for the world ...

Open the front door to reveal three more doorways ... open the top and bottom doors and you'll find the scrolls containing the words ... then behind the two middle doors sits the Keeper - but to see him, you'll have to visit my studio ...

The work stands 450mm tall and is for sale at $Aus650.00.

I trust you've enjoyed this post - and I do hope you'll return ...

cheers - Ken

www.kenmunsie.com

WEEDS INTO MALENY LIBRARY ...

2011-08-29T22:11:00.000+10:00

Maleny Image 9:introduced
As part of the Sunshine Coast Council’s Weedbuster Week, 18 artists from the Collaboration of Maleny Artists have mounted an interesting exhibition of paintings and sculptural works at the Maleny Library.
COMA convenor, Ken Munsie, invited artists to research introduced species from along the Range, and reflect on how they have affected – or infected – our local natural environment … and to then create an artwork based on what they found.
Subject matters vary from Petterson’s Curse to Hemp to feral goats and Mistflower, with all the works created on canvasses of a similar size. Artists have also included a statement with their work that describes the effects of each specie and what inspired the artist to work with that subject matter.
The exhibition opens on Friday 02 September at 5.30pm - then runs for a fortnight at the library and moves to the Up Front Club in Maple Street for a further four weeks from 13 September.
All artworks are offered for sale at $120.00.

Fiona Dempster

Barry Smith

Cath Nash

Dianna Frank

Helen Almberg

Helen Campbell

Jinty Stockings

Jo Murray

Johan Tijssen

Ken Munsie

Kim Schoenberger

Marianne Osborne

Noela Mills

Penny Rogan

Sonja Georgeson

Stephanie McLennan

Tory Richards

The Gallery Wall

Thank you for calling by -

I hope you'll visit my blog again ...

cheers - Ken

http://www.kenmunsie.com/

Congratulations Shannon Garson

2011-08-05T20:56:00.000+10:00

The winner of the Noosa Regional Gallery Travelling Scholarship national contemporary 3D art prize, presented by the Sunshine Coast Council, was announced last night at the Noosa Regional gallery.

Division 12 Councillor Lew Brennan presented Ange Leech from Victoria with the overall winner award and Shannon Garson from Maleny with the Highly Commended award.
“The purpose of the scholarship is to enable the winner to undertake study or training interstate or overseas. This may be through a recognised art institution, participation in short-term workshops or study with a nominated artist,” Councillor Brennan said.

Ange Leech was thrilled with the win and said that her winning work, Booth 1. ‘Not without my Carby’ is an interactive sculpture.

“Viewers are invited to place their hands into gloves so that they can assemble and reassemble the work,” Ange said.
“The prize will enable me to attend a puppet-making course in Prague and receive guidance in traditional wood working techniques such as carving and designing as well as attending lectures and performances.”

Maleny based artist ( and COMA member ) Shannon Garson is well known for her delicate porcelain vessels decorated with lively drawings. Her winning pieced entitled, Wallum Mapping – Diurnal Variation is from a body of mixed media work inspired by the Wallum Swamp eco-system.

“There is so much to be learnt through simply observing the world and being aware of the physical elements that surround us,” Shannon said.

The Noosa Regional Gallery Travelling Scholarship for 2011 is currently being exhibited at the Noosa Regional Gallery until 11 September, open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. For more information visit http://www.travellingscholarship.com.au/

Text and images from http://www.mysunshinecoast.com.au/

Thanks for calling by - please visit again ...
http://www.kenmunsie.com/

Margaret Olley - an Australian Icon ...

2011-07-26T18:20:00.000+10:00

Australian Artist Margaret Olley found dead at her home in Sydney ...

Tuesday 26 july 2011 - article by Isabel Hayes

Margaret Olley was not afraid of dying and her death in her own home was "the perfect way to end", her protege says.

Ben Quilty, the artist who portrayed the still-life painter in his award-winning Archibald prize entry this year, said he was "devastated" at the loss of his friend and mentor.

"I just spoke to her last night. She was her normal, bright self," an emotional Quilty told AAP on Tuesday. "I was going to see her tomorrow."

Olley, 88, was found dead at her home in Paddington, in Sydney's inner east, early Tuesday morning.

"It was the perfect way to end. She would have hated being attached to a machine in a hospital," Quilty said.

"Instead, she was in her home, her haven, I can't imagine a better end to her life."

He described Olley as a "modern, contemporary lady", tough and at times brutally honest, who just "wanted people to strive to be better".

"She was never fearful of death," he said.

"It was never a topic she shied away from. It was physically obvious to her that this was something she was about to deal with and she dealt with it with such grace."

NSW Art Gallery director Edmund Capon described Olley as "one of the most unforgettable people" he had ever met.

"I have never met anybody so rarely passionate, committed and yet always retaining a wry sense of the absurd that life inevitably presents to us," he said.

"She was probably the most politically incorrect person I knew. Margaret Olley brought a new dimension to the word individual."

Mr Capon said Olley was a true painter - "there was absolutely no other career for her" - who found beauty in humble things such as a bowl of fruit or flowers.

"We often talked about colour and what was her favourite colour. Her answer was swift and straightforward: 'green', she would say 'it's the colour of rebirth'."

Born in Lismore on June 24, 1923, Olley began painting as a girl at Somerville House boarding school in Brisbane, going on to become one of Australia's most respected still-life and interior artists.

She was also one of the country's most generous benefactors to public galleries, including the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art, and she held honorary doctorates from Macquarie, Sydney, Queensland and Newcastle universities.

"She was the last of a generation of empowering figures in Australian art," said Professor Colin Rhodes, dean of the Sydney College of Arts at the University of Sydney, which awarded her an honorary degree in 2000.

"Olley was a leader in that generation that brought home-grown Australian art to the rest of the world, but importantly to Australia itself.

"Although she lived to a grand old age, she never lost her relevance."

In 1948, Olley was the subject of William Dobell's 1948 Archibald prize-winner.

Attending the prize announcement for Quilty last April, she told reporters how proud she was of him.

"That second Archibald Prize win meant a lot to her," Quilty said on Tuesday.

Nicky McWilliam, director of her late mother's gallery Eva Breuer Art Dealer, said Olley's death was "a real loss for Australia".

In 1991, Olley was made a Member of the Order of Australia for service as an artist and for the promotion of art.

In 2006, she was awarded Australia's highest civilian honour, the Companion of the Order, for service as one of Australia's most distinguished artists, for philanthropy to the arts and for encouragement of young and emerging artists.

"It's such a great award. I'm overawed," Olley said at the time.

"I thought just judges and just very important people got it.

"I'm not important. I just do what I want to do."

Thank you for your visit - please call again ....

http://www.kenmunsie.com

Winner of the SCAP 2011

2011-07-21T21:11:00.000+10:00

The winner of the Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2011 was announced tonight at the Caloundra Regional Gallery ...

Anatye (Bush Potato)Artist: Margaret Loy Pula 2009
Medium: Acrylic on linen
Size: 120 x 120cm
Date completed: 2010

Artist Statement:-

“This painting is about my culture. That’s my father’s dreaming. This is from my father’s country, that country is called “Unjangola”. That is north of Utopia, not too far but really desert country”

Margaret has been exposed to art for most her life and lived for some time at Utopia where the Utopian art movement began with batik works. She paints her fathers dreaming and the stories that she depicts include country, bush food and ceremonial designs. Her main story is the “Anatye” or bush potato dreaming which is portrayed using a series of fine, microscopic dots.

The bush potato vine grows after the rains. The women go out to collect the potato using crowbars to dig up the ground. The potatoes can grow quite large, depending on the amount of rain. Once collected they are cooked in the hot coals of the fire. They are an important source of bush food for the Anmatyerre people.

Congratulations to Margaret ...

The Sunshine Coast Art Prize (SCAP) is a national acquisitive painting and 2D art prize valued at $26,000 and includes an artist residency in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast hinterland. The exhibition of forty finalists is a showcase of contemporary 2D practice by leading local and national artists. www.scap.org.auPlease call again ...

During SCAP 2011 the Caloundra Regional Gallery will be open daily from 6 July to 24 July, 10.00am– 4.00pm.

http://www.kenmunsie.com/

ChainMail heads to Noosa

2011-07-15T22:17:00.000+10:00

Well it is delivery time ...
for my entry in the Noosa Regional Gallery Travelling Scholarship ... ChainMail3 ...
The piece ( and the artist ...) was selected as a finalist in this year's competition ... along with 40 other finalists from around Australia ...
ChainMail3 is one of a series I have put together over the past few months ... 17 in all ... and it is constructed with found timber, metal and hand-made paper - "rescued assemblage" as I call the process !!! ...
Judging is on 04 August - so please send some positive vibes out there into the universe for me ...

Thanks for dropping by - please call again -

cheers - Ken

http://www.kenmunsie.com/

Signs of Winter Down Under

2011-07-13T17:50:00.000+10:00

It must be mid-winter here in Australia - because my miniature Magnolia tree is now covered in the most spectacular flowers ...

Thanks for dropping by - please call again -

cheers - Ken

http://www.kenmunsie.com

Fungi on the Walk

2011-07-05T22:51:00.001+10:00

On a recent early morning walk along the Obi Obi creek in Maleny, I cited works by our leading local artist "nature" in the leaf rubble along the track.
I wonder how many people walk past this amazing artwork every day and never notice it.

How can we compete ...?

Thanks for dropping by - please call again -

cheers - Ken

http://www.kenmunsie.com

Sculpture on the Edge

2011-07-05T22:35:00.000+10:00

Recently 10 artists from Arts Connect inc. were invited to exhibit works of sculpture in the garden of Judy and Ron van Hoff in Witta ... their garden was open to the public over the weekend as part of the Maleny Garden Club’s "Gardening on the Edge 2011". It is a beautiful garden of some five acres and opens onto a huge man-made lake - complete with 7 wild black swans ...

I was keen to be part of the event, but as my artworks are primarily "indoor", I elected to do ephemeral works ... I just wanted to play in the forest with the leaves !!!!
The day we set up was beautiful and sunny - but alas - it poured with cold rain over the weekend - howver the miserable weather didn't stop the crowds, and we estimated about 1500 people would have visited the garden over the two days ...

Barry Smith and I worked on a set of encyclopaedia laying a Path of Knowledge through the leaves.

The books are now resident in the little courtyard at my studio.

My other piece was a set of paper-mache Bubbles on the lake's edge.

It's always fun to break-out of the studio occasionally and play !

Thanks for your visit - please call again ... cheers - Ken

http://www.kenmunsie.com/

Art in Motion

2011-06-05T21:40:00.000+10:00

This past week-end Maleny went on exhibition with the Annual Agricultural Show. The first day of winter gave us brilliant sunshine and the bluest-of-blue skies with just the hint of the cold weather to come.
The show is a real treat - bringing the country into the town - and attracting big crowds of urban-ites - as well as local farmers and cowboys - to look at the cattle, horses, chooks, alpacas and of course all the home-made produce and art and crafts.
On Saturday afternoon the crowds were delighted with a display of sky diving ... and the last one out of the plane was this bloke with our Australian flag. The divers circled the township several times slowly drifting down and then landing in the middle of the oval - to hoots of applause and cheering.
Not only was the event visually exciting, but the sound of the huge flag crackling in the wind as it slowly circled downwards was awesome, stirring all my patriotic emotions .
These images were taken from my front garden that looks down towards the showgrounds.

www.kenmunsie.com

Seven Green Circles

2011-05-28T21:35:00.001+10:00

My two entries in the COMA exhibition - Maleny Image 8 : between the lines - are Seven Green Circles and There aren't enough Red Hours ...

The first work is themed on the book - The Circles by Kerry Armstrong ...
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhGs6a7f8Yc )

“ …the circles are a practical exercise to help you sort out your feelings.

There are seven circles inside one main circle and all seven represent you.

Your life.

They are a bird’s eye view of who you are and how you feel.

Each of the seven circles represents where people are in your life and your relationship with them. … “

and the second work is themed on the book - I’d Rather be in the Studio by Alyson B. Stanfield ... ( http://www.idratherbeinthestudio.com/ and www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195015873862081 )

" ... It’s a tight juggling act – being an artist and being a business person.

Most of us prefer staying in the studio and creating our artworks, rather than putting ourselves out there promoting our art and running our business.

In this book Alyson takes us through the process of successfully doing both ..."

To check out all the artworks in the exhibition go to ...
www.kenmunsie.com/exhibitions/coma_8

Between the Lines

2011-05-28T20:32:00.004+10:00

Last night we launched the eighth COMA exhibition - Maleny Image 8 : between the lines - at Rosetta Books at 43 Maple Street - Maleny.

35 artists have contributed works - based on a theme from a book they have read. The artists were also required to list the book that inspired them and write a brief statement to accompany the artwork.

All the works are priced at $85.00 ( some great bargains to be had there folks ... ) and the exhibition runs for a fortnight until 12 June.

contributing artists Jo Murray and Robyn Graham

Exhibition at Noosa

2011-05-14T20:17:00.007+10:00

I am currently exhibiting in a joint exhibition at Carrington's Gallery in Noosa Junction. The show opened on Monday night - with a jolly crowd of "gallery-opening-professionals" - and will continue for the next six weeks. My works represent a series of assemblages of rescued materials - wood, metal and hand-made paper. It's great to be out-and-about in another gallery at last - and thank-you to Julie for inviting me up to Noosa.

The Gallery - with my work on the end wall ...

FOI with Nested on wall above ...

The group of four - Bolted, Doctored, Engineered and Pegged ...

Drawn ...

FOI ...

Chain Mail shortlisted ...

2011-04-15T21:06:00.004+10:00

I'm a very excited artist tonight because my three artworks - Chain Mail #1 #2 and #3 - have put me up there as a finalist in the Noosa Regional Gallery Travelling Scholarship 2011.

There are 39 other finalists from across the country, and we will be competing for a prize of several ks that is be to used for the purpose of undertaking travel and study to support career development.

It's a great honour and an enormous thrill just to be shortlisted - as this alone will include me in an exhibition with the other finalists in July to September at the Noosa Regional Gallery.

It is also telling me that I'm on the right track with this genre of work. I have also had a similar piece accepted for the Moreton Bay Regional Art Awards in May and I am in a joint exhibition with three other artists ( including Kim Schoenberger ... ) at Carringtons Gallery in Noosa also in May ... so it's quite an exciting time right now ...

You can view all my current work at www.kenmunsie.com ... I hope you enjoy ...

Chain Mail

2011-03-31T21:55:00.007+10:00

Just finished three pieces of assemblage - Chain Mail #1 #2 and #3. These three sculptures are part of a series of 17 recently completed small and medium sized sculptures - the series is titled Evolution.

Here I use a combination of timber, rusted metal and hand-made paper.

All materials have had a previous life, have been discarded, found and rescued and then re-worked to create individual and unique works. The works reflect my on-going fascination with life, death and rebirth and my interest in the traces of past existences. I start with a pile of un-related materials and slowly work them into an artwork that can be read with imagination.

The idea of evolution runs frequently through my work as I explore the craft of the Artist's Book and paper-making.

I have been making paper from plant fiber and recycled paper for the past 11 years and use it extensively in my assemblage sculptures and also by mixing it with clay in my ceramic practice. In this instance the paper I use has been made from recycled office paper that has been shredded and reconstituted and molded into sheets.

The paper represents love letters, final notices for outstanding accounts and the many ideas and inspirations flowing through the artist's head. Each sheet has an invisible story to tell.

The full series can be viewed on my website http://www.kenmunsie.com/

Scent Bottles

2011-03-13T22:25:00.008+10:00

Here are some cute little scent bottles I have rolled out this week ... they are quite tiny only 70mm in hight - and they are created by "slip-casting" ... this is - I pour liquid clay into plaster moulds ( just like commercial ware is created ...) - then once dried apply some simple brush work with under-glaze and finally a super gloss glaze - fired to 1080 degrees ... all presented in a carboard box ...

more on ... < http://www.kenmunsie.com/ >

new ceramic works

2011-03-09T22:13:00.006+10:00

The last few weeks have been particularly busy in my pottery studio - and here are a few samples of what is coming out of the kiln ... with more on the way ...
I use an homogeneous mixture of paper pulp made from shredded office paper and recycled clay to create the paperclay - I then add crushed house brick to the mixture - and compose sculptures inspired by two elemental forms – a closed shape derived from vessels for storage & an open bowls shape derived from vessels for presentation.
My studio/gallery is slowly filling up with new works - and I am planning to open my doors to the public on week-ends as from 19 March ... not long to go - but heaps of work to do over the next week ...

to see all my current works go to my web site < www.kenmunsie.com >

Magic at Dusk

2011-03-04T21:31:00.007+10:00

Yesterday here in Maleny it was a hellishly hot one - with the mercury hitting well into the thirties and humidity way up there also ... it was such a relief to finally say good night to sister sun and welcome a stir of cool air in through the open windows as darkness floated in ...
Right on dusk the Calliandra blossoms burst open with their iridescent pink and brilliant white lighting up my garden for the night critters to find their way to the sweet pollen ... twenty four hours later after a day of heavy rain, alas the garden is in darkness again ...

New Works

2011-02-22T22:07:00.004+10:00

After a few weeks of creative endeavours, I now finally have a good body of work that I am happy with ... all I have to do now is find a gallery to take me on ...
The pieces are all small - under 400mm - and are made from disused timber, rusty metal and hand-made paper .... all the materials have had a previous life - been rescued and then put together to form these quirky sculptures ... more details can be found on my web page -< http://www.kenmunsie.com/ >
I hope you enjoy ...
cheers - Ken

Copper Sulphate Etching Workshop

2011-02-17T20:34:00.018+10:00

Last month the Caloundra Regional Gallery and I organised an etching workshop here in Maleny at the MACG Centre. 12 local artists spent a great weekend creating some exciting artworks, tutored by Victoria Atkins - member of the Noosa Press Gang Printmakers ....

Rosemary Almberg at Mainstreet Gallery

2010-10-03T20:31:00.007+10:00

Mark Fowles-Prince - Gallery Manager - opened Rosemary Almberg's exhibition -Music in Paint III - new works in series - at Main Street Gallery in Montville on Saturday 02 October.
Rosemary's artworks - typically oils on canvas - capture a unique sensitivity to light, music, mood, season, nature, and manipulate a subtle palette of life in the Northern hemisphere - her experience of subtle colours, light and tones. Her works, both abstract and nature / landscape inspired, are each individual, contemporary, fresh and intriguing. The music in paint series is an ongoing exploration into Rosemary's love of Classical, Jazz and Modern classics.

The Exhibition runs through October and Main Street Gallery is located at 167 Main Street Montville - under the Poet's Cafe.
Enquiries - Mark - 07 5478 5050

Patricia Cale Exhibition

2010-08-02T17:39:00.006+10:00

Last weekend Patricia Cale held a small but exciting exhibition of her latest works at Imbil ...

Pat's love affair with the Mary Valley began three years ago when she visited the northern end of the region for the first time. It was love at first sight, and since then she has pursued the romance from her little cottage overlooking the village of Imbil, where the winter mists roll in over the range at sunrise. With her cuddly poodle for company, Patricia has absorbed the landscape and mood of the valley and this exhibition showed off her interpretation of the region.

Celebrated international cookbook author Jacki Passmore introduced “Mary Valley Moments” at the opening on Saturday. Jacki is also no stranger to the Imbil region, having spent her childhood in the area before travelling the globe, and she is an avid collector of artists, including Patricia Cale. Jacki will launch her latest book in early September and recently moved to Tamborine Mountain, in the Gold Coast Hinterland, where she is setting up a residential cooking school, Bamboo House.

Watching the burn and recovery of the 2009 bushfire of Tuchekoi led to a major exhibition and now Patricia’s work is all about the winter experience of the Mary Valley. It is some of those moments that featured in this exhibition.

The Imbil exhibition comes on the back of Patricia’s huge success at the recent Mary Valley Art Festival, where she collected first prize in three sections – the Open, Mary Valley Country and Drawing – judged by Kevin Oxley from the Gallery Art on Cairncross. Patricia has also twice been a finalist in the Mayor's Prize at the Kenilworth Celebrates art festival.

Jerry Patricia and Neville

She moved to Imbil after living in Maleny for 10 years, but she believes her early life in the desert country of Sudan has led her to develop an affinity with “wide” landscape. “I love this small town of Imbil – it’s a place of warm hearts and working dogs,” Patricia said. “All the way along the back roads to Amamoor I find stunning landscape filled with evocative moments.” Patricia trained in the United Kingdom in the 1960s and has exhibited professionally since raising her family from 1986, completing commissions and teaching. Her areas of expertise are life drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and art history.

Patricia is represented by Main Street Gallery, Montville and her work can be viewed on the gallery’s website at www.mainstreetgallery.com.au.

Plein Air with Peter Hudson

2010-08-01T21:44:00.013+10:00

Arley Farm in Maleny was the superb rural setting for a day of plein air painting with tutor Peter Hudson on Sunday 01 August.
The morning started out cold windy and overcast - but by midday the wind had blown away the clouds and the beautiful winter sun then drenched the verdant rolling Maleny Hills, giving our 13 artists lots of warm inspiration ...

setting the scene

Jenny

Barry

Narelle

Leslie

Katie

Fiona

Dianne

Alex

Sue

Carolyn

Toni

Peter with the group

This workshop was sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council - through the Caloundra Regional Gallery connecting the local creative community with 2009 Sunshine Coast Art Prize winning artist Peter Hudson - and was organised by COMA.

Thank you to Fiona and Peter Stevens for opening Arley Farm to us for the day.

Kate French Workshop

2010-07-07T17:30:00.004+10:00

Last weekend Tamborine Mountain - SEQueensland - sculptor Kate French ran an intensive workshop over three days at the MACG Workshops in Maleny.
Ten students from Maleny and beyond attended the class with Kate, going through the
sculptural process covering the subject of modeling a portrait bust, including the process of hand building the carcass of a sculpture, proportioning the basic shape, modelling facial features, hair, clothing, positioning the sculpture into a posture that reflects its subject, and finally adding texture to the sculpture to bring it up to a beautiful finish.

tuitor Kate French with her working sculpture
of Maleny artist Wendy van der Drift

Kathy Lawley with sculpture and model,
fellow artist Marianne Osborne

Di Cannon shows off her husband ...

Kate's fascinating works can be viewed on her website - http://katefrench.com.au/

Scratching the Surface ...

2010-06-06T17:44:00.004+10:00

A good crowd of local artists and their friends attended the Friday night opening of the seventh COMA exhibition in Maleny. This one is themed on "Maleny Image : scratching the surface" and is showing at A Peace of Green Gallery in Maple Street.

50 COMA artists were invited to paint to the theme on miniature canvasasses and sculptors to produce miniature 3D works and there are 55 pieces on show and all are priced at $150.00.

The exhibition runs for a fortnight until 17 June.

Scene at the opening ...

... Les and Helen

... Di and Bridget

... Nicole and John

... Marianne with the two Junes

... Gaynor and Jo

... Cheryl, Alex and Noela

... Mieke with Sharyn and David

... Larian and Kim

... guitarist Jimmy with groupie Anna

Giants and Elves in Maleny

2010-05-13T21:26:00.012+10:00

a must exhibition to visit ...

Heather Gall's exhibition
"Giants and Elves of the Forest"

opening 13 May
show running to 4 June ...
at A Peace of Green Gallery
Maple Street Maleny.

a collection of paintings by Heather
….and including works by Tree Line Participating Artists
“Small Windows within a Remnant Rainforest”

Jennifer - From FIG Creative - and Heather

Kim Moreland - Treeline Project

Heather and Kim

Check out the Treeline Project
on the Sunshine Coast ...
http://www.treeline.org.au/

Main Street Gallery - Montville

2010-05-11T20:40:00.006+10:00

Opening last Saturday and running until 30 May at Mainstreet Gallery in Montville are two exciting exhibitions ...

'Expressions of Love' by Kim Schoenberger
mixed media artworks using recycled tea bags combined with loving craft skills learnt from her elders.
and
'Terra Australis' by Christopher McLeod
a series of landscapes that reflect the fears, hardships and glory that the explorers of Australia experienced in a new land.

The Gallery Director - Mark Fowles-Prince - with the artists

Kim and her tea bag quilt

Kim and Glen

Carolyn, Fiona and Noela ...

Pip and Andy ...

Margaret ...

Sue ...

Ken and Kim ...

Kim and Noela ...

Jim and Pam ...

A Day in the Life of "K"

2010-04-27T21:05:00.004+10:00

Just for fun ... if you want to see what "K" gets up to on a typical Maleny day - go to < http://aletteraweek2010.blogspot.com/ >

cheers - Ken

Jenny Law and Marianne Osborne

2010-04-06T20:54:00.006+10:00

Maleny artists Jenny Law and Marianne Osborne recently held seperate exhibitions in Maleny at venues opposite each other in Maple Street.

Marianne Osborne
Marianne's exhibition - Marsala - at the Up Front Club's Gallery featured a series of whimsical paintings inspired by her recent trip through India.

Jenny law
Jenny's exhibition - Great Southern Land - at A Peace of Green Gallery was a study of colonialism and its impact on the Australian Indigenous people.
Both exhibitions received great support.

Hinterland Times owners Michael and Faith Berry at POG

Rachael and Glenys Fentiman with Marc Kalufa at POG

Gallery Charlie Moore

2010-04-06T20:32:00.006+10:00

A new gallery and picture framers has risen out of the ashes at 50 Maple Street.
Two months after Artworks closed upstairs, potter and painter Charlie Moore has opened-up shop with a dazzling gallery full of her zany creations. Situated on the street level, this new enterprise breathes colourful life into the Paris-end of Maleny. Well done Charlie.

Jacqui Seckold and friend at the opening

Artist and Gallery Owner Charlie Moore

Kathy and June part of the dazzling scene

Cheryl and Claire adding colour to a colourful night

Gallery Closing

2010-01-25T15:22:00.004+10:00

By now most of you will probably have heard this news, but for those of you who have not, I have made the hard decision to close - for good - the doors of Maleny Artworks Gallery.

There are several factors that have persuaded me to take this action – art sales have been pathetically slow since the financial turndown ( and I believe worse is yet to come – especially with the price of petrol tipped to reach 150 by mid year ), the lease on 50 Maple Street is soon to expire and I'm not sure I want to sign up for another 3 years, my own “emerging” arts practice has pretty much ground to a standstill in recent months and finally, I feel that there are a few more community arts projects that I can contribute to that will have a greater benefit to the overall Maleny arts scene.

It’s never easy to walk away from a project that has been so all consuming, however I feel that now is the right time for me to take this action and February 03 is the date that I take the final walk down the stairs.

I have had wonderful support from so many people – including yourself - over the years and it has been a delight to show off artworks from our talented artists. I am proud for what Maleny Artworks has achieved in a short time but believe that we are now entering into a new cultural era – not all good I’m afraid – that will maybe change the way artists promote and market themselves. We are firmly in the IT era and as artists we are going to have to really embrace the Internet as the primary source of our marketing.

I am certainly not leaving Maleny at this stage, and as I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of work now to do to expand COMA to a wider audience including thinking about our June exhibition. I hope you will continue to support COMA and participate in any up-coming projects that promote Maleny arts.

Thank you for supporting me over the years, and I trust we will continue working together during times to come.

Wabi Sabi Woman

2010-01-11T12:52:00.004+10:00

Maleny Arts Retreat presents ...
FEATURE ARTIST for JANUARY is NOELA MILLS

Noela’s work is based on the concept of ‘Wabi Sabi’ – the Zen Buddhist philosophy of finding beauty in the worn, aged, imperfect and incomplete.

She uses a variety of mixed media and surface treatments to create interesting and highly individualised textures.

This exhibition covers a range of genre from total abstraction to intimate detail with each painting conveying a meaning beyond the obvious; sometimes philosophical, sometimes humorous, but always adding something special to the essence of the work.

MEET THE ARTIST – SAT. 23 JANUARY - 5pm

Enjoy a glass of wine and some ‘nibbles’ while Noela explains the concept of ‘Wabi Sabi’ and how it has influenced her work. Wander around the gallery as Noela talks about the techniques she uses in specific works, and how she creates the worn and aged effects.

RECYCLED PAPER MAKING WORKSHOP with NOELA - Sat./ Sun. 30 / 31 January, 2010

Learn how to recycle egg cartons and brown paper bags into fabulous moulded textural papers which can be used in all manners of art projects. Paint, dye, shellac, foil, spray the dry paper to achieve rich and diverse effects.

- 9am – 4pm both days
- $120.00 inc GST per day ... includes workshop, morning/afternoon teas)
... SPECIAL OFFER FOR COMA MEMBERS $100.00 per day ...
- at Maleny Arts Retreat Workshop (downstairs)
Contact the gallery for more details and requirements list.

Maleny Arts Retreat
901 Stanley River Road, Maleny Q 4552
Ph: 07 5499 9801
Email: admin@malenyartsretreat.com.au
www.malenyartsretreat.com.au

Katie Wells

2010-01-10T10:38:00.006+10:00

Katie Wells with her painting “Little Bonfire”

COMA member and multi award winning Maleny artist Katie Wells says her art evolves from looking within and from without, from past life experiences, relationships and knowledge, all sifted and brought to the fore in her individual artworks.

There are many decisions and challenges for her along the way and a sense of deep knowing, emotional feelings and intuition come into play when one is engrossed and focused in the creative process.

Katie has recently convened a successful Portrait Workshop with reknowned New Zealand Artist John Badcock of Geraldine for several talented local artists at the Gary Myers Arts Retreat, and last December Katie along with members of the Sunshine Coast Artists Group held an Open Studio Day here on the Blackall Range. The open day was a huge success with each artist ( Jinty Stocking, Susan Bowers & Stephanie McLennan ) having a wonderful response from local and interstate visitors.

Katie is presently working in acrylic medium for a joint exhibition at the Graydon Gallery in Brisbane this coming April and says creation is a personal journey into the unknown and she aspires with passion to share artistic skill with others for their visual pleasure.

A selection of Katie’s paintings can be viewed at Maleny Artworks Gallery in Maple Street during January. Also sharing exhibition space at Artworks during this month are Brian Allison, Wendy Nugent, Gina Davey, Danni Oliver and Noela Mills.

Rainy Maleny

2010-01-06T13:46:00.006+10:00

After several months of no rainfall = water rations = 5 weeks of water supply left etc etc ... we now have have had a fortnight of the most wonderful soaking rain filling our tanks and dams and giving our gardens and farms a much needed resuscitation ... and the locals are already complaining of mould on the windows ... do we ever learn !!!

... and in the midst of a downpour - Ipswich artist Laura Phillips arrives at the Gallery with an arm full of her latest paintings - including "My Favourite Thing" ...

Enjoy the rain - especially seeing the tanks overflow ...

the 6th APT

2009-12-30T11:43:00.003+10:00

I visited the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane yesterday, and was quite blown away by the extraordinary standard of works exhibited this time round. Artworks range from huge skulls painted on silk drapes severasl meters high to piles of discarded cooking utensils - plus several video and multi media entries and even a solid brass motorcycle.

This exhibition is an absolute must visit for everyone interested in the arts. It is the only major international project that focusses on the contemporary arts of Asia, the Pacific and Australia.

With over 100 artists represented from countries such as China, N and S Korea, Turkey, India, Iran, Tibet, Fiji and so on, this exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for us to look into the minds of these dymanic artists.

Entry to the exhibition is free and it runs until April - but dont leave it til the end because I am sure - like me - you'll want to re-visit it once you've had a taste ...

Line of Control - Subodh Gupta - India
an enormous mushroom cloud structure made from brass domestic utensils

PixCell-Elk#2 - Kohei Nawa - Japan

an elk covered with crystal glass beads

Ellen Appleby

2009-12-27T12:55:00.004+10:00

Gift boxed vases and dipping plates from Ellen Appleby

Exquisite gift boxed porcelain works by Sunshine Coast clayworker Ellen Appleby have just come into the gallery. Ellen fired this work on Christmas eve !!! so they are still warm ...

Ellen moved to Noosa from Brisbane in 2006, where she worked as an artist and environmental educator and community artist. She has just completed her second year of Visual Arts (ceramics) at the Sunshine Coast TAFE. She is probably best "recently" known for her ceramic works at the Floating Land event at Noosa last June.

Seasons Greetigs

2009-12-24T14:47:00.003+10:00

Peter Wooward - Garden Series

wishing you all the merriest of merry CHRISTMASSES

and a NEW YEAR full of excitement and good challenges.

cheers - Ken

Caroline Lilliman Pottery

2009-12-21T12:18:00.005+10:00

Just in to Maleny Artworks Gallery today are four equisite hand-built and hand-decorated porcelain pots crafted by master Maleny ceramicist Caroline Lilliman.
Caroline's arts practice has covered three decades and she ranks up there amongst Australia's most original potters, and these four vessels are a fine example of work from a truly gifted artist and arts technician.

Flying Dream - hand-built porcelain

Platypus Vessel - hand-built porcelain

Tall pit-fired + hand-carved vessel

Squat pit-fired + hand-carved vessel

Mapping the Range

2009-12-16T13:26:00.006+10:00

Discover the Difference - Mieke van Sambeeck

Opening last week and continuing through into the New Year at Maleny Artworks Gallery is an exciting exhibition of artworks by members of the Collaboration of Maleny Artists - COMA.
Artists were invited to select a grid from a topographical map of the Blackall Ranges - from Maleny to Montville - then create an artwork relevant to, or inspired by, that part of the Range.
60 artists responded with works ranging from cows to waterfalls.

Morning at Baroon Pocket Dam - Toni Black

Shadows more Real - Noela Mills

A Month of Mountain Mornings - Fiona Dempster

Below Bald Knob - Jo Murray

Mini Deep Red - Barry Smith

Janna's Cows

2009-12-16T12:49:00.004+10:00

Janna - in white t-shirt with sponsores and supporters
Unveiled this week at the entrance to the Maleny township are five wonderful steel cows by Curramore artist Janna Pameijer. The sculptures acknowledge the dairy industry bought to the Ranges by our pioneers last century and still a major contributor to our local economy, and they have been erected on the site of the entrance to the old Boxsell's cattle saleyards -that were sold off to make way to an ugle retail development.

Michael Pugh's Tea Service

2009-12-04T14:36:00.004+10:00

Just in to Maleny Artworks is a new shipment of exquisite blue and white tableware from the studio of Michael Pugh, including this superb teapot and mugs .

After the Burn

2009-11-29T13:31:00.004+10:00

Patricia Cale - "After the Burn"

Opening last night - and running through to 23 December - Main Street Gallery in Montville is hosting an exciting exhibition of new paintings by Patricia Cale. The exhibition is titled ‘After the burn’ .
Patricia's ability to make powerful marks and manipulate different media, in contemporary paintings and mixed media artworks, is clearly demonstrated in this new work.
With parallels drawn from the powerful new energy released from the initially destructive process of fire, Patricia has drawn much of her colour research from recent fires at Tuchekoi.
She has observed the amazing recovery of the trees, with new green leaves defiantly growing on ash coloured branches, covered with burnt leaves.
The works in this show are a dynamic expression of the power of nature and its regenerative life forces.

Patricia Cale talks about her work ...

Marks must be beautiful, or the space between them cannot be beautiful.
My work is my communication. I believe all art is about communication - it should touch a common chord and feed the soul.
It's the 'moment' that I seek, that moment where my ego disappears and the piece becomes something else.
I work very hard; the simplest result sometimes takes days, even weeks. At other times the work flows seamlessly, and that’s a privilege.
Every experience in my life I count as the colour I bring to my palette. I live my work, and cannot imagine waking up in the morning and not going to the easel. I am blessed.
I like to think that this explains my mark-making. My work is about the life force - in everything. That force which sings the mysteries. My marks need to be as fine as possible because what I want to create is that suspension of life. I don't think about death, I'm too caught up in life.
My new paintings draw upon the cathartic experience and are expressed here as metaphor through the natural regeneration of our Australian landscape - after the burn.

Main Street Gallery is located at 167 Main Street Montville - beneath the Poets Corner cafe.
To view the exhibition online go to < http://www.mainstreetgallery.com.au/ > or for further information about the artist, call Mark on 07 5478 5050.

Wabi Sabi Woman

2009-11-26T12:25:00.005+10:00

Maleny artist Noela Mills now has her unique scarves on sale at Maleny Artworks Gallery.

Made from antique kimono silks, in the tradition of 'wabi sabi' - the Zen Buddhist philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection and in the everyday - the scarves are an absolute delight and an essential 'artistic fashion accessory' for the discerning dresser !!!

Great Moments in Art

2009-11-22T18:10:00.001+10:00

In the Weekend Australian 21/22 Nov 09

Wild Life and Rust at Maleny Artworks

2009-11-22T17:19:00.006+10:00

Ginna with The Hunters and the Hunted
Opening this week and running through to 09 December at Maleny Artworks Gallery are two powerful exhibitions by members of COMA ...

Firstly ... A Wild Heart - featuring wild life paintings by Wondai (ex-Maleny) artist Gina Davey and the other is ... Unearthed - a series of contemporary clay vessels and mixed media sculptures by Dulong artist Kim Schoenberger.

Kim's Unearthed clayworks

Four Artists: four worlds

2009-11-06T14:53:00.006+10:00

Opening last weekend in Maleny is a stunning four part exhibition of artworks from four of our leading artists. Patricia Cale, Wendy Nugent, Barry Smith and Fiona Dempster have all worked separately on this exhibition, titled Four Artists: four worlds. It is an intimate look at the world around us reflecting on its many variances. The artists invite us to stop and contemplate the power of all that influences our lives.
Patricia’s bold rural images draw us into a sometimes chaotic yet sometimes serene landscape of our dreams, our waking and our desires. Wendy’s paintings are bright and vibrant reflecting the many phases of the moon over the deep waters of the Baroon Pocket Dam. Barry takes us on a journey into his sculptured world with recycled timber, metal and other found objects, while Fiona creates a stillness so perfect and simple with her wonderful calligraphic works. All four artists have viewed and captured their particular worlds in exciting and creative artworks.
The exhibition runs for three weeks at the Maleny Artworks Gallery – upstairs 50 Maple Street.

Wendy Nugent - The Shape of Water - acrylics on canvas - framed $800.

Fiona Dempster - Landscape 3 - drypoint - framed/glass - $120.

Barry Smith - Meditation Bowls - beaten brass - $35. each

Patricia Cale - Deepwater - mixed media - framed/glass - $1500.

Maleny Youth Art Awards

2009-11-06T14:42:00.005+10:00

Last weekend artworks produced by students from across the Range were on show at the Maleny High School Activities Centre. The occasion was the 15th Maleny Apex Young Artists Award.

Maleny High School senior student Freda Davies - winner of the senior painting prize - with her painting Desert Poems.

Organisers this year were delighted with a record number of entries by budding young artists from the hinterland districts, confirming that this annual event is now firmly established as a most important cultural event.
Maleny Apex must again be thanked and congratulated for sponsoring this award and for supplying the man-power needed setting up the exhibition screens.
In opening the show Apex Vice President Steve Skull congratulated the students for such a high standard of work and thanked the Maleny community for supporting Apex fund raising efforts that made possible the sponsorship of events such as the Art Awards.
This year the art teachers and senior students from Maleny High worked together in hanging the artworks and members of COMA manned the information desk over the two day exhibition.
Judges were Patricia Cale, Mieke van Sambeeck and Penny Riddoch, and artworks were judged on the basis of creativity, aesthetic appeal and originality. Thirty five students received prizes for individual artworks and prizes went to four school groups for their installation pieces. The people’s choice prize was awarded to Estelle Molley from Maleny High for her painting Isis.Congratulations to all the students who took part in this exciting exhibition. A collection of artworks from the show are now on exhibition at A Peace of Green Gallery in Maple Street

Maleny.

Ken chatting with overseas visitors at the YAA Exhibition - now therein lies a story !!!

Happy Vessels

2009-10-21T15:22:00.003+10:00

Seen enjoying the vessels at the opening last Saturday ...

Fiona, Barry, Carolyn, Mieke, Ken and Mark ... pic by Gemma.

Vessels at maleny Artworks ...

2009-10-18T15:28:00.005+10:00

... well the judging has taken place during the week and at the function on Saturday afternoon we announced the winner of the vessel competition ... the Judge - UK ceramicist Jim Robison - certainly had a tough task in selecting the winner and in fact asked that I include six highly commended awards ... and they are ....

Megan Puls ( Gold Coast - Qld ) - Strata Bottles

Jackie Gasson ( Eudlo - Qld ) - set of 3 Soda Fired Vessesls

Richard Rofe ( Bruny Is - Tasmania ) - Set of 3 Tectonic Vessels

Michael Pugh ( Buderim Qld ) - Ocean Amphora

Norman Dobson ( Maleny - Qld ) - Ancient Vessel

Sandra Rofe ( Bruny Island - Tasmania ) - The Vessels of Life

and the Best in Show Award and the $500. prize went to ...

Ian Reid ( Dulong - Qld ) - Lidded Vessel 2

Ian with award judge Jim Robison ...

Thank you to all the ceramicists who entered the competition and congratulations to Ian and the Highly Commended artists ... and a huge thank you to Jim Robison for taking time out on his busy Australian trip to judge the entries ..
The show runs now until the 28th October ...

A Fantasy of Teapots

2009-10-08T08:07:00.004+10:00

Last weekend the Maleny Arts and Crafts group presented the 6th annual Maleny Teapots Exhibition. Held in the RSL Hall over the three days, the show drew a steady stream of visitors and teapot collectors with about one third of the pots being sold. Also on exhibition were paintings and sculptures from the artist members of MACG and of course the second "Warm and Fuzzy" teacosy competition. ... and the winners were ...

Sandra Bernaitis - from South Australia - won the hand painted porcelain teapot with "Imari "....

Maleny clayworker Charlie Moore's "Aunt Edna comes to tea ... "won the creative teapot ...

and Mons artist Carol Forster won the functional teapot section with her "untitled" pot ...

The winning TeaCosy was "Gertea" created by Maleny artist Christine Duelberg ...

The remaining tepots are now on show at Maleny Artworks Gallery until the end of the month.

Charlie Moore and 'Aunt Edna ..."

Christine Duelberg and her cosies ...

The Cow Eaters

2009-09-20T14:43:00.002+10:00

Toogoolawah artist Elizabeth Poole currently has a number of her much loved "cow" sculptures in the gallery. Made from copper and galvanised wire twisted into unique and quirky images, the sculptures are a real delight. Cow Grass, Cow Flowers and Cow Eaters are just some of the titles for the works.
In these wire constructions Elizabeth uses the cow as a metaphor for the voiceless and helpless in our society. The cow is often used as a cute and comical image, while in reality it is treated as a mere commodity.

The Cow Eaters 3

Madame de Plume

2009-09-19T14:48:00.004+10:00

Madame de Plume - aka Audrey Raymond - creates in a unique and delightful artform by the use of silhouettes, fashion plates and other images from the 18th to 21st Century which are then adorned with feathers, butterfly and beetle wings, snakeskin, animal hair, flowers and other treasures from an Australian garden, a farmyard or the wayside, to create Images de Plumes - pictures of great beauty and originality. There is an immense variety of subject matter depicting varying moods, from humour to romance, sophistication and much more.

From simple beginnings, Audrey has developed her feather art to a highly sophisticated and intricate level, and is continually experimenting to expand and vitalise her art form. Her work has been hung and sold in art exhibitions and galleries in Sydney, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast.

I have several delightful examples of her work in the gallery - and have just taken delivery of this wonderful 3D feathered head.

Mieke's Rocks

2009-09-18T15:54:00.002+10:00

Mieke van Sambeeck just delivered a new batch of her unique raku clay rocks to the gallery.

Using both horsehair and bird feathers in the firing process to get these extraordinary effects, Mieke never ceases to amaze and delight me with her ceramics.

A Fantasy of Teapots

2009-09-17T14:16:00.006+10:00

....don't miss the 6th annual Maleny Tea Pot Show over the weekend of 25.26 & 27 September.

Held at the Maleny RSL Hall - Bunya Street - the show exhibits for sale over 70 teapots - functional + creative and hand painted porcelain pots - all made by our local and not-so-local artists... also on exhibition will be fine art by the MACG artists ... and ... the Warm and Fuzzy Tea Cosy competition.

Scrumptious home-baked morning and afternoon teas and lunch will be served on the verandah overlooking the Obi Obi creek - watch the platypus while you hoe into a slab of "Italian Apple Cream Cheese Cake" served with a cup of freshly brewed coffee !!!!!

More info contact Ken - 5429 6566 ....

2008 Teapot Show winners ...

Chiko Jones (functional teapot)

Mieke van Sambeeck (creative teapot)

Judy Gravestein (tea cosy)

trees trees trees

2009-09-17T13:46:00.004+10:00

Orchard - Peter Woodward

This is the last ten days of the trees trees trees exhibition at Maleny Artworks. Paintings by 15 of our leading local artists depicting their favourite trees ... dont miss this show ...

The Quiet Heart - Nicolle Murray

Movies at Artworks

2009-09-02T16:13:00.003+10:00

Maleny Artworks Gallery is presenting programme #4 - Musicals of the 1950's ...
please click on image to enlarge ...

seating is limited so please call Ken - 5429 6566 - malenyartworks@bigpond.com

Paper Cutting Workshop

2009-08-30T14:07:00.001+10:00

Maleny Arts Council inc. presents

Pamela See
TURNING THE PAGE - Paper Cutting Workshop

26 and 27 September 2009 ( new dates )

Turning the page is a paper cutting exercise that is designed to acquaint participants with traditional Chinese paper cutting techniques, whilst creating a display that strikes an accord with gallery patrons.

The theme of the weekend is change, as instigated by progress and/or human intervention. It also references the recently introduced laws that forbid the lopping of certain tree species.

Fee: $100.00 – includes some materials
Date: Saturday/Sunday 26 / 27 September ... Times: 10am to 4pm

Bookings - Ken Munsie - 5429 6566 0r malenyartworks@bigpond.com

Peter Hudson wins SCAP

2009-08-30T13:59:00.002+10:00

Maleny artist Peter Hudson has beaten a field of top Australian artists to scoop this year’s Sunshine Coast Art Prize with a highly emotive oil painting of fish surging towards a moon rising over the ocean. This is the first time a Sunshine Coast artist has won the prestigious national art prize, beating 39 other outstanding finalists from around Australia with his entry that was described by judge Phillip Bacon as “an arresting image, very beautifully painted and one of this local artist’s most mature works”. Before this win, Peter was already on a wave of success with his art developing a growing following, including being named a finalist in the 2007 Archibald prize. He described his winning SCAP painting, entitled Law, as breaching the divide between the natural and human worlds. “Sadly modern humans are losing their consciousness and their connection to homeland,” he said. “The painting Law is a reminder of scale, power, beauty, deep mystery and living in hope that all will be OK.” Judge Phillip Bacon said he chose the winning painting, which will be added to the gallery’s permanent collection, because: “The ebb and flow of human consciousness, indeed of human life, emanates from the canvas. “I think this work is a worthy addition to the permanent collection, and I congratulate Peter Hudson, indeed all 40 finalists, for making this a particularly strong exhibition.”

TeaPots and TeaCosies

2009-08-21T15:05:00.004+10:00

Just a reminder to all you ceramicists and knitters out there that the sixth annual MACG Maleny TeaPot Competition is on over the last weekend in September. Prize pool for the TeaPots is $1500. This year we are also including a "funky" TeaCosy competition and the winning Cosy will receive a prize of $150. More details and entry forms can be found at

http://www.malenyartworks.com/

Chiko Jones - TeaPot winner 2008

Christine Duelberg - TeaCosy winner 2008

Di West - first prize

2009-08-14T11:42:00.003+10:00

Congratulations to Di West for scooping in the prizes at the Brisbane RNA Ekka ... There were two categories; she won 1st prize in one category (abstract) and 2nd and 3rd Prizes in the second

category (figurative)... super works ...

Opening Scene at Artworks

2009-08-06T15:09:00.004+10:00

Friends, artists and patrons rubbed shoulders and sipped champagne at Maleny Artworks Gallery last Saturday for the opening of the August exhibition.

Group Show @ Maleny Artworks

2009-08-06T14:20:00.008+10:00

Maleny Artworks Gallery is bursting at the seams this month with four solo exhibitions currently running.

A fascination with signs and symbols is the inspiration for these exhibitions by leading local artists. Rosemary Almberg’s abstract paintings exploring the emblems of Court Cards, and Helen Almberg’s series of mixed media artworks based on the twelve Zodiac signs, are an intriguing insight into the ancient symbolism and mystique of signs.

Clayworker Ann Oliver has been inspired after recent travels throughout Europe and Viet Nam, to develop a series of ceramic creatures that have captured the essence of different cultures. Her unique dragons and gargoyles stand sentinel throughout the gallery, their bold shapes, vibrant colours and symbols of cultures past, creating creatures that are fun and whimsical rather than serious.

Painter Wendy van der Drift has put together a superb collection of still life oil paintings of fruit and vegetables. Her exhibition of 63 richly coloured works is titled Life Force and fills the gallery with works greatly reminiscent of the Old Masters.

Also part of the show is a series of unique fibre vessels by Noela Mills and ceramic boxes by Ken Munsie.

The exhibitions run through August.

Scene at Artworks

2009-07-08T16:17:00.005+10:00

Opening night at the COMA exhibition at Maleny Artworks ...

A Brush with History

2009-07-08T16:01:00.007+10:00

Maleny Image 5: a brush with history
... an exhibition of artworks themed on a fact of history…

All artists exhibiting are members of COMA
- the Collaboration of Maleny Artists -
and have presented work themed on an historical fact
of their choice from the Maleny and Blackall Range district.

Helen ALMBERG + Rosemary ALMBERG
Anne ATKINSON + Judy BERLAK + Megan BICE
Gemma BLACK + Dianne BROWN
Helen CAMPBELL + Garry CLARIDGE
Jim COX + Lynn CRAN
Janette de SOUSA ROQUE
Hetty DOYLE + Jo DUCKWORTH
Jenny FITZGIBBON + Heather GALL
Sue GILMOUR + Robyn GRAHAM
Sharryn JACK + Carol JACKSON
Heather JONES + Karen KING
Margaret KING + Ron KOHLER
JennIfer LAW + Lynn MAY
June McCOTTER + Stephanie McLENNAN
Noela MILLS + John MORRISON
Ken MUNSIE + Edith Ann Murray
Sue NEEDHAM + Elizabeth NICOLLE
Danielle ROCHECOUSTE + Pennelope ROGAN
Janice SCULLION + Carolyn SHEATHER
Larian SLOAN + Barry SMITH
Philippa STEWART-HALL + Jinty STOCKINGS

Mieke van SAMBEECK + Dawn WALL + Katie WELLS

plein air exhibition

2009-06-12T15:35:00.004+10:00

Following on from the May plein air weekend with tutor Peter Hudson at Wendy's fabulous property at Booroobin - overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains - an exhibition of the paintings are now on show at Maleny Artworks Gallery.

Artists exhibiting are Charmaine Cameron, Gina Davey, Hetty Doyle, Josef Lanc, Sonya Makaroff, June McCotter, Stephanie Mclennan, Kath Nash, Danni Oliver, Larian Sloan and Ginty Stockings.

If you cant make the gallery, the work can be viewed on the Maleny Artwork's website - http://www.malenyartworks.com/ - follow the leads to current exhibition plein air.

The weekend was a huge success thanks to the generousity of Wendy, the teaching skills of Peter, the amazingly perfect weather, the spectacular views of the Glasshouse Mountains and of course the 10 talented artists attending (see pic below).

Maleny Art Awards

2009-06-07T12:38:00.002+10:00

Congratulations to all COMA members who submitted works to the 2009 Maleny Art Awards held over the June long weekend.
Local winners were Diane Somers-Cook - 1st prize watercolour + Anne Atkinson - 1st prize contemporary abstract + John Morrison - 3rd prize traditional oils/acrylics + Gary Myers - 1st prize traditional oils/acrylics + Heather Jones - 2nd prize Australian native fauna - Jan Scullion + 3rd prize traditional pastel ...
Many other COMA members had works hanging - and I must complement Pat Cale, Sue Gilmour and Audrey Raymond - for 3 paintings that were definite show stoppers.
And featured 3D artist at the show was Meike van Sambeeck's stunning pottery.

This is the 16th year the Anglican Church of St George's has run the show - it's a hard show to appreciate visually - with so many entries in such crammed hanging space and such a variety of subjects and standards - but the organizers have done a sterling job with what they were given - and the committee must be congratulated.

Competition judge was Bree Richards and the champion of the show is "Let's play Horsy" by Amanda Russian.

Birds Opening

2009-06-03T15:36:00.003+10:00

Birds

About 80 guests attended the opening of the Birds Exhibition at Maleny Artworks on Saturday night.
The exhibition is a collaboration between Sydney artists brothers Warwick and Neil Heley and Caloundra artist John Waldron. John is also the Director of Caloundra and Noosa Regional Galleries.
The three attended college together and have worked together on art projects on and off for the past 28 years.
Just over 20 years ago they experienced Whiteley’s Raper Street studio exhibition Birds. The beautiful exhibition had a significant impact on the three and since then birds have featured in many of their collaborative paintings, drawings and sculptures.
The Birds exhibition, is a homage to Whiteley as well as presenting the observations and stories of the three artists. The exhibitions of individual and collaborative, drawings, paintings and prints explore the beauty, intellect and playfulness of birds and birds as metaphor and omen, for good and bad.
The three share a fascination for birds, which has been passed on through their families. Each has childhood memories of time with their fathers and older brothers on the hunt for bird’s eggs and birds. Their fathers were considered ‘birdsmen’ by their families, because of their close connection with birds and the time they spent feeding and observing their behavior and life patterns.
This exhibition runs through June and Maleny Artworks Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday. Images of the works on show can also be viewed on the Gallery website - www.malenyartworks.com .

Warwick + Neil Healey and John Waldron

Birds

2009-05-22T14:05:00.002+10:00

click to enlarge ...

Water from the Moon Exhibition

2009-05-22T13:39:00.003+10:00

.... click to enlarge

Artist's Books 2009

2009-05-22T13:07:00.007+10:00

Scene at the opening party at Maleny Artworks...

Maleny Artists' Books

2009-05-22T12:37:00.007+10:00

ARTISTS’ BOOKS 2009
twenty artists presents works on a theme
without boundaries …
works of art realized in the form of a book

29 April to 24 May

Artists' books (also called bookworks) are works of art realized in the form of a book. They are usually supposed to be touched and interacted with, often with a specific predetermined sequence. All of their physical attributes are not visible at once. And in the process of manipulating them, their multi-layered approaches attempt to manipulate you, just as the sequence of a film or even an obstacle course …
The exhibition theme - without boundaries - is an invitation for the artist to explore the genre without any pre-set concepts. When we set boundaries – within our minds and within our arts practice – we are beholden to what has gone before, and we are held back by the barriers of conformity – when we approach the artists’ book without the burden of definition, our minds are open to create exciting and unique works of art.

2009-04-02T15:38:00.009+10:00

Botanicals and Porcelains at Artworks

On show at Maleny Artworks Gallery during April is an exhibition of botanical art by the Beerwah Botanical Art Group. Artists Jane Thompson, Kay McKee, Robyn Graham, Joanne Bowen and Beryl Robertson present a collection of the finest watercolour paintings exploring the wonderful diversity, beauty and idiosyncrasies of the Australian bush.

and ...

Complementing the botanicals is an exhibition of over 70 fine porcelain and glass vessels professionally painted by Queensland members of the Australasian Porcelain Art Teachers. Items on exhibition range from ornate lustre vases to small jewel boxes and framed tiles.
Artists represented are … Sandra Bernaitis, Sandra Deleacy, Una Edwards, Sandra Evans, Valda Heath, Kerry Horeczyj, Margaret Jones, Ann Manion, Pamela Prince, Merril Robbins, Nerida Shannon, Helen Vincent and Jan Young.

upstairs 50 Maple Street - ( PO Box 163) - MALENY 4552
07 5429 6566 - info@malenyartworks.com
www.malenyartworks.com
Gallery open Wednesday to Sunday - 10am to 4pm(closed Monday and Tuesday

Michael and Michele

2009-03-13T15:11:00.008+10:00

New exhibitions just opened at Maleny Artworks Gallery ... wonderful cly vessels from Buderim artist Michael Pugh ... and ... mixed media paintings from Glasshouse Mountains artist Michele Deveze ...

upstairs 50 Maple Street - ( PO Box 163 ) - MALENY 4552
07 5429 6566 - info@malenyartworks.com
www.malenyartworks.com
Gallery open Wednesday to Sunday - 10am to 4pm(closed Monday and Tuesday)

New Exhibition at Maleny Artworks

2009-02-01T17:17:00.004+10:00

currently showing at the Gallery ...

Park Life

by Kylie Taggart

... a series of paintings interpreting the natural abstraction of the local mapleton forests ...

and

Bling it on ...

by Shelley Allsopp

... a collection of crystal, semi-precious and seed beaded neckwear ...

exhibition runs 28 January to 25 February

Australia Day Picnic

2009-02-01T17:09:00.003+10:00

Maleny Artworks hosted an Australia Day Picnic in the garden on Sunday 25 Jan ... Oz Day eve ... everyone turned up dressed in something 'true-blue' and celebrated our Australia in good COMA style ...

Fabienne and Lillian

2009-01-17T10:57:00.006+10:00

New arrival at Maleny Artworks Gallery are these two glamorous gals by clayworker Kate French ... do call in and meet them ...

upstairs 50 Maple Street MALENY

07 5429 6566 - info@malenyartworks.com

www.malenyartworks.com

Gallery hours are Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm

Stock Room Exhibition

2008-12-07T16:55:00.004+10:00

Maleny Artworks Gallery

is presenting

STOCK ROOM EXHIBITION

Maleny's leading Artists

Colleen Pozzie, Diane Somers-Cook, Ken Barker, Di West, Megan Bice

Rosemary Almberg, Heather Jones, Noela Mills, Larian Sloan

Robert Natoli, Marianne Osborne, Jan Scullion and Aileen Shaw

December thru January

Tuition by Leading Artist

2008-12-07T16:44:00.003+10:00

Incurable Passion

2008-12-07T16:36:00.003+10:00

Opening this week at Maleny Artworks Gallery is a fascinating exhibition by well-known Maleny clayworker Mieke van Sambeeck. The show is titled “Incurable Passion” and is a display of some 80 clay chooks – all with their own story to tell and all with their own quirky postures and personalities.
Mieke has had a passion for making chickens for several years and in pushing the medium boundaries, has come up with some intriguing and very pleasing results. Probably best known for her recent raku and horsehair pottery, Mieke is now experimenting with a variety of matt glazes and the addition of other elements such as rust and various wax finishes to produce quite unique artworks.

It’s always exciting to follow established artists who stretch themselves outside the boundaries of their arts practices, and Mieke is certainly one such artist whose works are high on the list of worthwhile collectable art. Her show runs through December and January.

upstairs 50 Maple Street - ( PO Box 163) - MALENY 4552
07 5429 6566 - info@malenyartworks.com

www.malenyartworks.com

Art and Craft Fair

2008-11-27T10:47:00.002+10:00

Plein airing with Peter Hudson

2008-11-24T22:29:00.000+10:00

Last weekend a productive group of local painters – under the watchful eye of Peter Hudson – spent the daylight hours sketching, painting and soaking-in the glorious landscapes of the Curramore hills at Jana and Euan's property. When viewed through the eyes of artists, our majestic Blackall Ranges certainly take on a new and delightful meaning. The paintings from the plein air weekend will be on view at Maleny Artworks Gallery from mid December.

Plein Air with Peter Hudson

2008-11-13T13:06:00.006+10:00

plein air painting weekend at Maleny
with PETER HUDSON

Saturday and Sunday - 22 / 23 November 2008

8.30 am to 4pm
$150.00

bookings - Ken - 5429 656 - info@malenyartworks.com

-------------------------------------------------------

Rusty Offerings

2008-11-13T12:51:00.003+10:00

A TWO-DAY WORKSHOP ...
EXPLORING THE USE OF RUST AND OTHER EFFECTS ON FABRIC and PAPER

Wrapping, twisting, folding, layering and whatever we explore is used to create wonderful organic parcels containing rusty and not so rusty bits.
The final unwrapping reveals the most spontaneous organic imagery upon the surface of both cloth and paper.
Many other alternative methods and interpretations will be discussed for the student to have the confidence and knowledge to pursue on their own after the course.
These “art marks” on cloth and paper are able to be incorporated into many varied forms of art.
This process does not require the use of any toxic chemicals.

Tutor ... CAROL WILKES
Dates … Saturday 15 November and Saturday 29 November ...
Time …. 10am to 2pm each day
Venue … Maleny
Fee……. $85.00 for the full course

Bookings – Ken - 5429 6566 – info@malenyartworks.com

2008-11-13T11:55:00.010+10:00

ROBERT NATOLI

Houseland

A central theme underpinning Houseland is the relationships between the natural and built environments.
The exhibition is an observation, without prejudice, of the beauty, sense of place and order found in the natural world and the alternate aesthetic in the structural forms of the built world. Furthermore it explores the harmonious or discordant coexistence of these two worlds.
Houseland is also about mark making and the beauty of the imperfect marks we humans make. On one level it’s the physical marks of lines, scratches and dobs - made with a pencil and brush to recreate the natural world or to make individual statements. More deeply, it is the marks and impressions we leave on all sentient beings in our world through our presence and actions, conscious or otherwise.
Our marks can be clear, precise and permanent or vague, hesitant and temporary. We all leave mark …

and ...

KEN MUNSIE

...open and closed...

With a background of some 25 years in horticulture, my art practice began less than a decade ago with a fascination for creating paper from natural fibres such as the Philodendron, Flax and Bamboo.
Then five years ago I found a mentor in well-known Sunshine Coast clayworker Jackie Gasson, and pursued a journey of technical & creative discovery with clay.
In more recent times I have combined my love of paper with my passion for clay to produce a fascinating medium in Paperclay. This is a mixture of paper pulp – made from recycled office paper – and clay slip – made from recycled commercial clay. When fired and glazed this medium produces a unique and rugged finish with a texture and colour unlike that seen in the more commercial pottery lines.
A surface more in line with the natural environment that never ceases to inspire me.
I have just started this Paperclay exploration and sees myself as an emerging artist on an exciting road of discovery ….
This exhibition is based upon three simple things - paper and clay and recycling ... The idea of the closed box represents the mystery of the medium - and the open bowl, the answers eventually revealed.
A bit like my own personality – maybe.
I hope you enjoy the work …

exhibitions run 05 November to 02 December

upstairs 50 Maple Street MALENY

t. 5429 6566 ... e. info@malenyartworks.com

www.malenyartworks.com

Gallery hours - Wednesday-Sunday 10am to 4pm