1 0f 2 pages                4 October 2005

MEDIA RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS EXHIBITING LOCALLY

Robertson Art III - Experience Robertson Park from an ART point of view

An Artists Studio in Robertson Park in Northbridge hosted to a smorgasbord of art from international artists during the Artopia and Artrage Festivals.

There are four stories associated with the Studio.

1) Philippine and Perth based artist Diokno Pasilan hosted music workshops for local children at 2.00pm on Saturday 8^th October and 15^th October. As part of their ‘Experience Robertson Park’ the children (and their parents) played on the Philippine string and percussion instruments at the opening of the Robertson Art III exhibition in the Studio.

2) The Robertson Art III Exhibition was opened by the Mayor of Vincent, Nick Catania, on Saturday 22 October at 6.00pm and ran till Sunday 30 October 2005. Music was provided by the Kurbish gong band (Diokno Pasilan, Jeff Chand, Dan Spriggs, Koran Gath and members of the audience and their children). Supported by Masterplanners Interiors and Kotai Estate Boutique Wines and Oils, the exhibition was held in the Robertson Park Artists Studio, southern half of Robertson Park, nearest corner Fitzgerald & Cowle Street, Perth.

Artists Umberto Alfaro, Frances Dennis, Susanne Hamlin-Sullivan, Graham Hay, Carol Rowling and Diokno Pasilan presented new artworks comprising: ceramics; compressed paper and papier-mâché sculpture; with paintings; prints and installation art in the exhibition. The exhibition presented each artists view on the “shared space” of the studio, the park and its people.  In 2004 the Town of Vincent completed a $500,000 renovation of the park, including the creation of a new winter lake.

The exhibition attracted Masterplanners Interiors as a corporate sponsor, with major sponsor, Kotai Estate Boutique Wines and Oils.  Rosie Reeman of Masterplanners Interiors Pty Ltd stated, “we support the Artist’s Studio because of the important contribution it makes to the community.” 

3) To give local people an insight into the art on display and the Studio, there was short artists talks, light refreshments and informal discussions beginning at 2pm on Sundays 23^rd and 30^th October at the Robertson Park Artists Studio.

4) When not a temporary gallery, the Robertson Park Artists Studio is the base for seven artists and craftspeople, community classes for local people and a wider community of people interested in and supportive of the arts.

Chilean Umberto Alfaro uses Papier-Mâché to illustrate how he sees the park and its plants. Umberto has recently finished his successful third solo exhibition “Pulpitations III” in the Tresillian Arts Centre, Nedlands. He also runs classes in the art of Papier-Mâché and Spanish.

Frances Dennis’s  ‘Dog Park’ is a light-hearted look at the canine population, which comes together every day in Robertson Park.  The female forms imply the solitary, vulnerable and fragile nature of  human reality, as well as the exposed nature of the dispossessed who utilize our park. Frances exhibits regularly and conducts painting classes at the Robertson Park Artists Studio.

Susanne Hamlin-Sullivan paints the beauty of the natural environment in an emotionally joyful way.  Her uplifting and beautiful paintings suggest a free spirit living a colourful life. Susanne teaches creative painting at the studio in Robertson Park.

Graham Hay sculpts ceramic paperclay or compressed paper into organic forms. Like the many experiences and people that make up our lives his sculptures are crafted from many pieces into unique personal objects. Graham has exhibited and conducted workshops on his original techniques in Australia, Singapore, Scotland, Wales, Lithuania and Hungary. He was also a guest artist at the first international paperclay symposium last year.  Graham conducts community pottery and sculpture classes in the studio

Diokno Pasilan installations and performances have its origin in his on-going residences in Palawan (Philippines) and Perth (Western Australia). Diakno also teaches batik-making and traditional musical instruments from the Philippines.

Carol Rowling is particularly interested in portraying various aspects associated with movement and shape through mark making and imagery. Carol has recently returned from Sydney and exhibited at Code Red.

ROBERTSON ART III

22 October – 30 October 2005

Monday – Sunday 11.00am – 3.00pm

Robertson Park Artists Studio

southern Robertson Park,

cnr Fitzgerald & Cowle Street, Perth.

-end-

For further information contact:

Insa-Mascha Matthiesen            Ph: 0423 215 381