BOOKISH ARTIST TALK

The last couple of weeks have been rather hectic and I’ve been remiss in not publishing this post earlier. Here at last are a selection of photos from the artist talk that Bronwyn Rees and I presented at Melbourne Athenaeum Library on Wednesday, March 23 in conjunction with BOOKISH, the recent artist book exhibition curated by the Print Council of Australia and hosted by the library. Pictured above L-R are Michael Young, former Director of Sale Regional Gallery, Bronwyn and myself prior to the start of the talk.

Directly below: our wonderful audience, with still more people to come. In the foreground, left, is participating artist Bridget Hildebrand.

Huge thanks to Sue Westwood (pictured above, right) and everyone at the library for their warm welcome and tireless work in preparation for the event. Thanks also to the Print Council of Australia for inviting us to speak and to Priscilla Ambrosini, who installed the show with able assistance from Bronwyn. (Priscilla is pictured in the very last photo below).

It was such a pleasure to meet my fellow speaker, Bronwyn Rees. I’ve never enjoyed giving an artist talk so much. Among the topics covered was the various forms an artist book can take. Bronwyn stole the show by actually wearing one of hers, a splendid book in the form of a coat, made during lockdown. (See above).

Directly below I’m discussing some of my artist books, beginning with a selection of works from the Tall Tales series.

Thanks so much to everyone who came to the talk, including those who traveled long distances to join us. It was a brilliant turnout and we couldn’t have wished for a more enthusiastic audience. 

Pictured above: participating artist Lesley Duxbury (second from left), Michael Young, Bronwyn and myself.

Above: Loris Button

Above: Paul Compton.

L-R above: Shane Jones, myself and Bev Murray relaxing at the evening’s end.

(Photo credit: Angie Black).

Above L-R: Priscilla Ambrosini (who installed the show with assistance from Bronwyn), myself and 

Paul Compton. (Photo credit: James Spencer Harrison).

Congratulations to all the artists whose works were included in BOOKISH. The exhibition concluded on Saturday March 26.

Photos are by Shane Jones unless otherwise specified.

World Poetry Day

In honour of World Poetry Day which falls today, the Art Gallery of Ballarat has published a poem written by local poet and concert pianist Bronwyn Blaiklock in response to my painting, Vorticist II, 2004.

To read Bronwyn’s poem, Entanglement, visit the AGB’s Facebook Page HERE or their Instagram Page HERE.

Bronwyn’s poem is a fine example of ekphrastic poetry. For those who are unfamiliar with the form, an ekphrastic poem is one that has been inspired by a work of art. For more about ekphrastic poetry, go HERE. 

Image: Deborah Klein, Vorticist II, 2004. Oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Purchased with funds from the Colin Hicks Caldwell Bequest, 2005. Collection of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. © Deborah Klein

Coming soon: BOOKISH Artist Talk at Melbourne Athenaeum Library

As the day draws closer, here is a timely reminder of the artist talk Bronwyn Rees and I will present as part of BOOKISH, an exhibition of artist books curated by the Print Council of Australia and hosted by Melbourne Athenaeum Library. All of the books in this extensive show were created by PCA members. 

Our talk is next Wednesday, March 23, from 6 pm. Full details are at the bottom of this post. 

We will bring along examples of our own works and share some of the stories behind them. Among these will be Progeny, 2018, the one-of-a-kind artist book developed during my time as the library’s artist-in-residence for Melbourne Rare Book Week 2018. Its point of departure was Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, which celebrated the 200th anniversary of its publication that year. 

Bronwyn and I will also compare and contrast the evolution of our practices during a time of almost relentless change, upheaval and uncertainty.

Using works from the exhibition as examples, we’ll discuss the myriad forms an artist book can take, why so many artists relish working within the confines of the form (or alternatively, choose to expand and reinvent it), the use or omission of text, and why artist books ultimately remain such an enduring visual art form. 

The talk and exhibition are held in conjunction with the 8th Melbourne Art Book Fair at the National Gallery of Victoria. 

The BOOKISH artist talk is free. Seats are filling fast, so booking is essential. 

Proudly presented by the Print Council of Australia and

Melbourne Athenaeum Library: 

Wednesday, March 23, 6 - 8 pm

BOOKISH - Artist Talks and Drinks

Speakers: Deborah Klein and Bronwyn Rees

Melbourne Athenaeum Library

Level 1

188 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Email: library@melbourneathenaeum.org.au.

Phone: (03) 9650 3100

BOOKISH runs from March 17 - 26.

Melbourne Athenaeum Library opening hours:

Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm

Wednesday 10 am - 8 pm

Thursday 10 am - 6 pm

Friday 10 am - 4 pm

Saturday 10 am - 2 pm

Pictured above: Progeny, 2018, unique artist book, pigmented drawing ink, gouache and hand stitching with cloth binding, 16.5 x 91 cm (open) followed by a progress view and detail of the completed work. 

More things BOOKISH

BOOKISH, a major exhibition of artist books by members of the Print Council of Australia opens at Melbourne Athenaeum Library on March 17. 

To mark the occasion, from 6pm on Wednesday March 23, the library will host an evening of artist’s talks and celebratory drinks. Invited speakers are Bronwyn Rees and myself. 

The talk is part of the 8th Melbourne Art Book Fair at the National Gallery of Victoria. Its a free event, but RSVPs are essential: 

9650 3100 or library@melbourneathenaeum.org.au.

Back in 2018, I was artist-in-residence at Melbourne Athenaeum Library during Melbourne Rare Book Week and am very much looking forward to returning, if only for an evening. 

Bronwyn and I will be veritable open books as we discuss the widely varied nature of artist books and the making thereof. My contribution will include a show and tell of the projects I worked on during my residency, together with a selection of lino blocks from Illustrated Women, a current artist book in progress. My unbound artist book, Leaves of Absence (2017), acquired by the library as part of my 2018 residency, will also be on display.

Photo 1, top: Lino block from Frankenstein’s Women, a project begun during my library residency; 

Photo 2, above: Pictured with my unbound artist book, Leaves of Absence at Melbourne Athenaeum Library in 2018. (Photo credit: Shane Jones);

Photo 3, below: Your invitation to BOOKISH artist talks and drinks.

For more about all things BOOKISH, scroll down to Blog Post Saturday March 5, or visit my book blog, Moth Woman Press, HERE. 

BOOKISH runs from March 17-19 and March 23-26 during library opening hours.

International Women’s Day 2022

Today is International Women’s Day. Here’s to the cultural, social, economic and political achievements of women, past, present and future, including those whose names we will never know.

Pictured: Unknown Woman, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 12.5 x 12.5 cm.

BOOKISH

 

From March 17 - 26,  Melbourne Athenaeum Library will present BOOKISH, an exhibition of artist books created by members of the Print Council of Australia. Included is my unique concertina book, Cat’s Cradle, 2019.

A collaboration with the Print Council of Australia, BOOKISH is affiliated with the 8th Melbourne Art Book Fair at the National Gallery of Victoria.

SAVE THE DATE

As part of BOOKISH, the library will also host an artist talk with former artist-in-residence Deborah Klein and printmaker Bronwyn Rees. Deborah and Bronwyn will speak about the art of making artist books on Wednesday 23rd March at 6pm. The event is FREE but RSVPs are required on 96503100 or library@melbourneathenaeum.org.au. 

- From the Melbourne Athenaeum Library website. 

If you’re free, we’d love you to join us.

The exhibition is open from March 17 - 19 and March 22 - 26. 

For further information, visit my book art blog, MOTH WOMAN PRESS.

Pictured top: Cat’s Cradle, 2019, one-of-a-kind concertina book. Pages: ink and gouache on Khadi paper. Covers: hand-painted and lettered in acrylic on MDF.

Pictured second: BOOKISH invitation featuring ‘Ascent ll’, 2020 (detail), artist book by Bridget Hillebrand.

Work in progress for 100 FACES

Among the projects I’ve been juggling lately is this work in progress, intended for the annual 100 FACES exhibition at Playing in the Attic. This year 100 FACES is part of the Tiny Towns Arts Trail, which falls on Anzac Day long weekend (Friday 22 April – Monday 26 April). The exhibition will continue for a further six weeks.

In recent times, the swan has become something of a personal emblem. Originally I envisioned two self-contained images. But as can sometimes happen, the work directed its own course and soon evolved into a diptych. 

Playing in the Attic also stocks a selection of my books, postcards and zines:

Formerly Ballarat based, Playing in the Attic has recently relocated to nearby Talbot (see below). Its doors will reopen this coming Friday, March 4.

For more about the latest chapter in the history of this “curious extraordinarium of gorgeous things”, visit our sister blog, MOTH WOMAN PRESS. 

Playing in the Attic 

13 Ballaarat Street

Talbot VIC 3371

Opening hours:  Friday - Monday, 10 - 4pm

Memorable memories

Featuring some highlights from the last couple of days, most notably, catching up with old friends on Saturday, the last day of ATTUNED at Stephen McLaughlan Gallery. (For more about ATTUNED, scroll down to my last post). 

It was wonderful to see Kim McDonald there. Kim and I first met at art school in the 1980s and have been friends ever since. Kim is based in South Gippsland and it’s been way too long since we last caught up - I’ve since figured out the last time was in 2016 - but the intervening years fell away in minutes.

Pictured first and second above: Kim and I, followed by Stephen Mclaughlan, myself and Kim. 

Photos 3 - 4: It was an unexpected surprise to bump into another artist friend, Ballarat-based Carole Wilson, pictured below, third from left.

Photo 5 below: Kim and Shane at Brunetti, which has become my go-to place during exhibitions with Stephen. (Kim is showing me a recommended book). 

Backtracking to Friday, we had a delightful visit from another local artist, Christine Hickson (photos 6 - 8). In the final pic, Shane is giving her a tour of our new storage units, not that there’s a lot to see there at present. 

Another Friday highlight (not pictured) was an equally delightful visit from artist/filmmaker Erin M McCuskey. You can see some of Erin’s work HERE.  

On Saturday evening after our return from Melbourne, the final highlight was a memorable meal further along our street with family members (also not pictured). Thanks for having us, Tim Jones and Spencer Harrison, and it was a treat to reunite with James and Rosemarie Jones after 15 months of pandemic-inflicted separation. 

(Photo credit for photos 1 and 2: Shane Jones).

Last days of ATTUNED

After a very long run, this coming Saturday sees the final day of ATTUNED at Stephen Mclaughlan Gallery. Among the exhibits is the above drawing, aptly titled Nevermore.

ATTUNED features works by Laszlo Romer, Jenny Loft, Felicity Spear, Elizabeth Banfield, Peter Rowe, Irene Barberis, Callum Jackson and myself. 

I’ve loved being part of this show, but all good things must end. The exhibition may soon be nevermore, but I’m looking forward to exploring fresh fields.

Top: Nevermore (ink and gouache on Khadi paper, 16 x 11 cm)

Above: Fresh Fields (ink and gouache on Khadi paper, 16 x 11 cm)

ATTUNED 

Curated by Stephen McLaughlan

Stephen McLaughlan Gallery 

Level 8 Room 16 Nicholas Building 37 Swanston Street Melbourne 3000

(On the corner of Flinders Lane)

T: 0407 317 323     E: st73599@bigpond.net.au 

www.stephenmclaughlangallery.com.au

Gallery Hours: 

Wednesday - Friday 1 - 5 pm

Saturday 11 - 5 pm

- or by appointment 

ATTUNED ends on Saturday, 26 February, at 5 pm.

The Ballarat Imaginarium

 

I’m thrilled to announce that my books, There was once…The collected fairy tales and Fallen Women, are now available at the newly established Ballarat Imaginarium. 

Helmed by artist Melinda Muscat (pictured top) and a testament to her unique vision, this dazzling Aladdin’s Cave really needs to be experienced in person. My photos simply don’t do it justice. 

The Ballarat Imaginarium has the added distinction of being the only Ballarat retailer/gallery that specialises in works by local makers, including visual artists, jewellery designers, sculptors, textile artists, clothing designers, ceramicists musicians and writers. For this, we owe Melinda a debt of gratitude. 

You can read more about the Imaginarium HERE.

It’s also the only establishment where both Deborah Kleins show under one roof. Yes, believe  it or not, there are two of us in town. We’re not related, but recently I discovered we even share the same middle name, Lee. (In both cases, it’s an inherited family name). A future post will highlight the exquisite work by my fellow Deborah Klein that I purchased at the memorable Imaginarium launch. Meanwhile, some of Deborah’s remarkable paper sculptures, including her amazing leaping frogs, can be glimpsed in these photos.

For regular updates, visit the Ballarat Imaginarium on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE.

The Ballarat Imaginarium

119A Sturt Street, BALLARAT, VIC 3550

Open Tuesday to Friday 10 am - 5 pm

Saturday 10 am - 5 pm

Sunday by appointment 

REVIEW: The Nicholas Building “Up Late” by Helen Hughes

Many thanks to Stephen Mclaughlan for forwarding the following review of THE NICHOLAS BUILDING “UP LATE” in the online arts publication, MeMo. 

Here are a couple of snippets, by way of an introduction:

THE NICHOLAS BUILDING “UP LATE” Helen Hughes 

MeMo, 19 Feb 2022

⬤ 99%, BLINDSIDE, CAVES, Joseph Beuys Cafe, Stephen McLaughlan Gallery 16 Feb - 16 Feb 2022 

Those who prefer their art galleries stacked one on top of each other—as opposed to sprawled out, Sexpo style, at the Convention Centre—would do well to visit the Nicholas Building, where several art spaces opened their doors to punters on Wednesday night as part of Melbourne Art Fair’s “Up Late” program. Queuing for the lift in the Cathedral Arcade, I was quick to encounter Dario—a charismatic member of the Nicholas Building Association—who advised that the best way to “do the building” was to take the lift up to the ninth floor and wend your way down. Part of the lifeblood of the building, he was mysteriously omnipresent all evening—coursing through lifts, stairwells, hallways; putting up posters, snapping pics, gabbing with tenants.

The building is a genuinely social place and the community it houses is real…

My works in ATTUNED at Stephen Mclaughlan Gallery even got a mention: 

… At Stephen McLaughlan Gallery (also a Nicholas Building stalwart, McLaughlan having kept a space there for almost thirty years), Deborah Klein’s haunting paintings of the backs of women’s heads were a standout.

To read the full review, click on the link below: 

https://memoreview.net/reviews/the-nicholas-building-up-late-by-helen-hughes?fbclid=IwAR1ybcSYgBsRHeRB_gTeMczZJWAf7yHbJZriotjZv1IkmJJlBfqsvSYCVOA

Thanks also to Helen Hughes for her kind words and for championing the incomparable Nicholas Building. 

ATTUNED is in its final days. The exhibition concludes on Saturday 26 February at 5 pm. Gallery hours are below:

ATTUNED 

Curated by Stephen Mclaughlan

Stephen McLaughlan Gallery 

Level 8 Room 16 Nicholas Building 37 Swanston Street Melbourne 3000

On the corner of Flinders Lane

T: 0407 317 323     E: st73599@bigpond.net.au 

www.stephenmclaughlangallery.com.au

Gallery Hours: Wednesday to Friday 1pm-5pm. Saturday 11am-5pm.

& by appointment