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

www.kenmunsie.com

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

Refused

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