Month: July 2007

Friday 13th Gallery Rounds

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Last night was a corker for exhibition openings.  Between the launch of ‘Studio’ at the National Portrait Gallery and FOCA (Festival of Contemporary Art)  – which was spread across The ANU School of Art Gallery, Craft ACT and CCAS (Canberra Contemporary Art Space) – devotees of the plonk and culture scene made a progressive meal of it. The event down by the lake was particularly  superior, of course, and up to its clacker with the ab-fab chattering classes, dahling. But what a treat of an exhibition. It’s a fascinating and satisfyingly voyeuristic collection of (61) photographs taken of Australian artists in their respective studios. We loved it big time. And then we were off to the less-rarefied air on the north side, where the grub and vino wasn’t quite so sumptuous but the art fest had plenty of kick nonetheless: Lauren Simeoni and Charlie Sofo were just two of our fave artists in the ANU SofA’s show; Knit1 Blog1 at CraftACT is a hoot (‘specially the knitted cup-cakes) and we totally creamed ourselves over Alex Asch’s pieces (deliciously politically subversive, as always) in the Crucible; and Golf Wars at CCAS was plainly a huge hit with the next generation of art aficionados. We’ll have to go back, of course, to check it all out again – opening nights being more about the natter and squeeze…

 More snaps at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/glasscentralcanberra/sets/72157600806510867/

Reflecting the International Calibre of Canberra Glass…

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OUR VOLUNTEERS: ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY. 

Much is made of the international standing and calibre of the Canberra glass scene and there has been rather a lot of speculation apropos the correlating status of the Kelly Gang – and, indeed, of the Glass Central Canberra blog itself.

So we deemed it high time to introduce a couple of members of the Gang, if only to demonstrate the genuine international diversity and impeccable pedigree of our willing team of keener -than-mustard volunteers:- 

Badger (above left), who has taken on the key role of  Publications Manager, comes from a rich multi-cultural (aka feral) background, whilst Dispatch-trainee Lola – the newest member of the office crew – hails from fine Germanic stock.

Having lured them into the fold with earnest reassurances that voluntary work is a great way to learn, support the arts, develop skills and meet new friends, both will receive special training and be eligible for benefits that say ‘thank you’ for being a member of the volunteer team.

Ain’t that grand?

Greetings from the Arctic

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We’ve just had an email from the lovely Lene Lunde, who’s been basking in the Midnight Sun (she got sunburnt working in the garden at about half past midnight!) The accompanying snaps reveal an arctic tan and her new backyard; the glorious, pristine environment of Prestvannet.

She’s at Tromsø, an island in Norway’s north – which we found from a Google search to be a bustling centre of ‘art, history, sophistication, good food and infamous nightlife’. Sounds pretty sweet – we’re looking forward to photos of the local delicacy, barbequed seal flipper (which we imagine must taste a little like charred wet dog.)

Anyhoo, Lene has recently had work selected for the Glass and Ceramic Triennale 2007, which you can squizz on the link below…

http://www.triennale.no/2007/utstillere.htm

Bricolage Central

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Einar (left) and Jamex de la Torre with Slim in Canberra

We have delved into the album to share another special moment – the historic encounter of those masters of assemblage, the fabulous de la Torre brothers and our favourite outsider artist Slim Barrie. Slim’s overnight stay with Nigel enroute to his Sydney exhibition last year coincided with the madcap Mexicans’ visiting-artist residency at the ANU School of Art Glass Workshop. And given that Slim had recently added ‘found glass’ to his repertoire, getting them together was too good an opportunity to miss. Dear old Slim, dapper as ever, undoubtably found the heat in the hotshop a little taxing (especially given that it was summer) but he soldiered on regardless.

By the way – for those who may have been anxious on Slim’s behalf – he was spared the worst during last week’s flooding in his hometown of Lakes Entrance. He lives, thank goodness, on elevated ground.