LOCAL painters, photographers, sculptors and musicians have taken part in an art exploration project looking at the Wilsons Promontory National Park.
Above: Photographer Melanie Crookston and painter and organiser Sandy Ward at the Prominitions exhibition. Photo by article author.
This article was first published in the 15 August 2014 edition of the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.
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A group of local artists took three trips to the Prom over 18 months to inspire a set of works which are now on display in the West Gippsland Arts Centre foyer as part of the ‘Prominitions’ exhibition.
Exhibition organiser Sandy Ward told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen the trips had inspired a large number of artworks.
“It was very casual. People just did what they want when they wanted,” Ms Ward said.
“I think they (the artists) just used it as a time maybe not to do finished artworks but maybe to generate ideas and just mess around and see what other people are doing.
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“There was a lot of good food and good wine had, and laughing – it was really relaxed.
While the artists had travelled to the Prom to experience the environment there was no escaping its harsher side.
“We had some really extreme weather when we were there but I think that was really the most enjoyable [trip] for me,” Ms Ward said.
“It was like we were intrepid explorers, and while it was [raining] ferociously outside we were all warm inside and relaxed and enjoying it.”
The expeditions were not just about creating art; photographer and drawer Melanie Crookston said the networking side was just as important.
“I took it as a place to generate ideas, but also to connect with other people interested in the same kinds of things as I am,” she said.
“We had a Bollywood night where we all dressed up in saris and ate curry, and then we had epic games of Pictionary where everyone started yelling at each other, in a friendly way of course.
“It’s just the kind of fun that comes out of having a group excursion and ideas generation (that makes it good).
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“I’ve had these works come out of it which was quite cool.”
A number of artists have agreed the sharing and comparing work as a group had been a positive experience.
At the exhibition’s opening earlier this month musicians who visited the Prom performed while people viewed the other works.
Ms Ward said there were plans to make similar trips elsewhere in Gippsland.
“We have two more trips planned, but this time we’re going to Mount Baw Baw,” she said.
“We will be staying at the summit of [the mountain] in November and February.
“Hopefully an exhibition from that later in 2015.”
Artists interested in joining in for the Mount Baw Baw sessions can contact Ms Ward on 5623 9900.
