Focus: photography & war 1945 -2006 An Australian War Memorial Travelling Exhibition Cowra Regional Art Gallery 13 December 2008 to 1 February 2009 F or 150 years photographs have helped define Australia’s military history, and the Australian War Memorial holds some of the most powerful images of our time at war. Hundreds of these photos, taken by some of the world’s best war photographers, can now be seen in a special Memorial touring exhibition. Focus: photography & war 1945-2006 was opened 12 December 2008 by Major General Bill Crews AO (Retd) National President of the RSL. The exhibition captures the horror and humanity of military and peacekeeping actions over a turbulent 60-year period, through the lenses of 15 official and freelance photographers as well as serving members of the military forces. Australian War Memorial Director Steve Gower said the Memorial was pleased the travelling exhibition would enable communities around Australia to share some of the most potent images from its archive. “Photographs have a vital function in the national memory of war. They provide an indelible image of the sacrifice and experience of Australian servicemen and women and portray some of the defining moments in this nation’s history,” he said. Focus: photography & war 1945- 2006 features a diverse range of images, from Hiroshima and Korea to Vietnam and Australia’s role in past and present peacekeeping operations. It includes the work of Tim Page, Stephen Dupont, David Dare Parker, Allan Cuthbert, Phillip Hobson and George Gittoes. From CRAG cowra regional art gallery Friends NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9 JANUARY 2009 LAST DAYS LAST DAYS Image at left by Harold Vaughan Dunkley (1912-1995) An unidentified crew member of the RAN destroyer HMAS Bataan, rugged up against the cold weather, attends to tasks on deck during patrols off the Korean coast. c. February 1951 AWM DUKJ3792 “Photographs have a vital function in the national memory of war. They provide an indelible image of the sacrifice and experience of Australian servicemen and women and portray some of the defining moments in this nation’s history,” Australian War Memorial Director Steve Gower Image at right by David Dare PARKER Australian peacekeeper assisting bombeiros [firefighters], Dili 7 June 2006 digital print 2006AWM05381.022 AWM05381.022
Transcript
Focus: photography & war 1945 -2006
An Australian War Memorial Travelling Exhibition
Cowra Regional Art Gallery 13 December 2008 to 1 February 2009
F or 150 years photographs have helped define Australia’s military history, and the Australian War Memorial holds some of the most powerful images of our time at war.
Hundreds of these photos, taken by some of the world’s best war photographers, can now be seen in a special Memorial touring exhibition. Focus: photography & war 1945-2006 was opened 12 December 2008 by Major General Bill Crews AO (Retd) National President of the RSL.
The exhibition captures the horror and humanity of military and peacekeeping actions over a turbulent 60-year period, through the lenses of 15 official and freelance photographers as well as serving members of the military forces. Australian War Memorial Director Steve Gower said the Memorial was pleased the travelling exhibition would enable communities around Australia to share some of the most potent images from its archive. “Photographs have a vital function in the national memory of war. They provide an indelible image of the sacrifice and experience of Australian servicemen and women and portray some of the defining moments in this nation’s history,” he said. Focus: photography & war 1945-2006 features a diverse range of images, from Hiroshima and Korea to Vietnam and Australia’s role in past and present peacekeeping operations. It includes the work of Tim Page, Stephen Dupont, David Dare Parker, Allan Cuthbert, Phillip Hobson and George Gittoes.
From CRAG
cowra regional art gallery
Friends NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9
JANUARY 2009
LAST DAYS LAST DAYS
Image at left by Harold Vaughan Dunkley (1912-1995) An unidentified crew member of the RAN destroyer HMAS Bataan, rugged up against the cold weather, attends to tasks on deck during patrols off the Korean coast. c. February 1951 AWM DUKJ3792
“Photographs have a vital function in the national memory of war. They provide an indelible image of the sacrifice and experience of Australian servicemen and women and portray some of the defining moments in this nation’s history,” Australian War Memorial Director Steve Gower
Image at right by David Dare PARKER Australian peacekeeper assisting bombeiros [firefighters], Dili 7 June 2006 digital print 2006AWM05381.022 AWM05381.022
Notes from the Gallery Director A warm welcome and Happy New Year!
We have a varied and exciting program of exhibitions and activities planned for 2009 which I’m sure you will find challenging, refreshing, entertaining and enjoyable. A new gallery brochure is now available with detailed information about our exhibition program from January to July.
We also launched a redesigned Gallery website in early January with the aim to present you with more up to date information about the Gallery exhibition program and activities online, as well as, via our regular what’s on and public program flyers. During January we presented a five day Children’s Summer Art Workshop which was great fun for all who attended, and Gwen Clark was on hand to take a few snaps. These are presented further on in the newsletter. The Gallery has received grant funding to present several new projects during the year commencing with a special workshop and exhibition project with one of Australia’s leading professional photographers Anthony Browell, in April, during the school holidays. Another highlight for the year is to confirm we will be hosting the 2009 Archibald Exhibition Tour this coming Spring and we have received funding support to present a range of workshop activities for both young and old during the exhibition. We envisage it will be a busy year for the Gallery and we look forward to your interest and support. If you have an interest in art and a few hours to spare each month maybe you would like to join the gallery support team as a front of house volunteer or maybe you would like to assist with the set up of our exhibitions. Please contact Simone at the Gallery if you would like to find out more about how you can assist as a volunteer during 2009. I look forward to seeing you at the Gallery. Brian Langer Gallery Director
Whispers from the Mind was opened in the Cowra Regional Art Gallery by Mr José Luis Balmaceda Ambassador Embassy of Chile, Canberra on Friday 31 October, 2008
I n 2008 Chile was the guest nation of the Cowra Festival of International Understanding and during the festival in March the idea of this survey exhibition, as a post festival project, was proposed to the
Cowra Regional Art Gallery. Since the festival, with the support of the Embassy of Chile in Canberra, the exhibition Whispers from the Mind was developed as a collaboration between the Gallery and the three Australian/Chilean artists in the exhibition - Marianella Braithwaite, Eduardo Lopez-Valdezpino and Monica Valenzuela Hoces. Through their artwork each artist engaged with recollections of their country of birth, their sense of place in their adopted homeland and personal experiences of loss, joy and love. The Opening was enhanced by a performance by Torsion, a local group of dancers who delighted all with an authentic rendition of Chilean dance. The artists were in attendance and were pleased to discuss their work with those present who also enjoyed Chilean food and wine during the evening.
PHOTOS The Artists Above: Monica Valenzuela Hoces with two of her works| Below right: Marianella Braithwaite and her work Speechless Below centre: Eduardo Lopez-Valdezpino and one of his works. At left: Torsion performing a tradi-tional Chilean dance
At left: Gallery Director Brian Langer (left) makes a presentation to the Ambassador. Centre is Cr Bill West Mayor of Cowra who performed the official welcome.
Mr José Luis Balmaceda Ambassador Embassy of Chile,
Canberra
NEXT IN THE GALLERY Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun 1950 – 1970 Second skin
D uring February and early March at the Gallery is a unique National Archives of Australia (NAA) touring exhibition of
colourful images that vividly recall our enduring love affair with the sun and the sea. For those who grew up in Australia in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, summer can conjure memories of carefree sunny days by the sea, cricket on the beach and bodysurfing between the flags. The Gallery is also presenting an exhibition of recent works by south coast based artist Tim Moorhead including paintings, prints and ceramics. Guest speaker at the opening of these exhibitions on Friday 6 February at 6.30pm is Therese Kenyon, Director Manly Art Gallery and Museum. The National Archives of Australia exhibition called Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun 1950 – 1970 includes a host of memorable images for a baby boomer audience, such as caravan holidays by the beach, tennis lessons, guests lazing by motel pools, and toddlers skinny-dipping in the shallows. The exhibition’s iconic image is a photograph taken of the finalists in the 1952 Miss Pacific contest! Almost all the images were selected from the Archives’ Australian News and Information Bureau collection. This vast archival resource is the legacy of nearly half a century’s work by Bureau photographers who reeled off hundreds of thousands candid snaps of Australians at work and play. The ‘lucky country’ they saw through the lens in the mid 1950’s and 1960’s was a more innocent Australia – a relaxed and comfortable place where everyone knew their neighbours, happily tended their gardens and seldom locked their doors. Second skin is also a celebration of the Australian way of life, the annual summer holiday and the simple pure pleasure of being close to the sun and the surf. The distinguished Australian writer Donald Horne referred to it as “the annual changing of the skin”.
“More than skin deep the warmth of the coastal sun transforms people. Like giant translucent caterpillars they soak up its warm rays to shed their clothes along with inhibitions. Donning anonymity behind their sunnies they change into bright glary costumes and the transformation is complete. After metamorphosis they become alert, ready and more than just a little willing for each new day and each new adventure. They are here to play.” Tim Moorhead. Public Programme Event There is a free illustrated talk called Beach Culture Images in Australian Art and Second Skin exhibition floor talk by Tim Moorhead on Saturday 7 February commencing at 11am in the multipurpose meeting room next to the Gallery. Image Tim Moorhead Nippers 2008 watercolour on paperboard, 120cm x 120cm.
Decked out in their favourite swimsuits, the three placegetters in the 1952 Miss Pacific pageant pose on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Judy Worrad (right) won the competition, Mary Clifton Smith (centre) was runner-up and Pamela Jansen was third.
Photographer unknown, 1952. National Archives collection, A1500, K1220.
2008 Student Youth Art Awards and Exhibition
The fifth annual exhibition and awards for art students in years 10,11, and 12 at central west region high schools opened at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery on Saturday 22 November 2008. The Gallery received entries from 73 students covering all of the award sections for display in the exhibition. The 2008 Awards Judge was renowned portrait and still life painter, Cowra based artist Ann Morton seen at left. At the opening Ann commented she was very impressed by the range of entries and the high standard of the works in the exhibition and how great they looked displayed in the Cowra Regional Art Gallery. Art teachers from eight high schools were involved in the planning of this years awards; they were from Blayney High School; Canowindra High School; Cowra High School; Forbes High School; The Henry Lawson High School, Grenfell; Molong Central School; St Joseph’s Central School, Blayney and St. Raphael’s Central School.
Country Energy Regional General Manager Chas McPhail presented the 2008 Country Energy Award for First Place in Year 11 to Molly Brandon from Blayney High School for her work called Self Portrait. Other Award sponsors for 2008 were Lachlan Fertilizers, Cowra Concrete Products, Centrepoint Pharmacy, Webster Optometrists, Another Eagle Sign, Cliff Dykes Photography and The Land. List of Award Winners Year 10 Award Winners Highly Commended - Scout Williams , Cowra High School Merit Award - Jessica Simunic - St Raphael’s High School First Place - Zechariah Rutherford - Blayney High School .. Storm shown above
Year 11 Award Winners Highly Commended - Toby Klarner , Forbes High School Merit Award - Casey Bray - Forbes High School Country Energy Award First Place – Molly Braddon, Blayney High school .. Shown above with her work Self portrait and
Country Energy Regional General Manager Chas McPhail Year 12 Award Winners Highly Commended - Jessie Grimshaw, Canowindra High school Merit Award - Holly Blackwood, Forbes High School
First Place - Lauren O’Conner, Forbes High school … with her work What is it worth shown right Open Section - Years 10 / 11 / 12 3-D /Ceramics / Textiles Award Award Winner - Grace Bryant (Year 10), St Raphael’s Central School Face2face shown right. Photography Award Highly Commended - Rebecca White (Year 12), Molong High School Award Winner - Lauren Harvey (Year 12), Cowra High School Playtime—far right New Media Award Highly Commended - Aimee Taurins (year 10), Forbes High School Award Winner - Megan McKenzie (year 10), Molong High School Fire shown right. Drawing / Printmaking / Mixed Media Award At right. Award Winner - Andrew Schafer (Year 12 ), Henry Lawson High School 2008 Winner of the “Peoples Choice Award” In another world by Holly Blackwood Forbes High School. Holly’s work shown below was also the Yr 12 Merit Award winner.
FRIENDS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9
JANUARY, 2009. PAGE 4
Major Donor Margaret Henley with Brian Langer (left), and David Henley
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9 JANUARY 2009, PAGE 5
FRIENDS NEWSLETTER
At right: Mary Douglas and Jane examining interesting uniform items particularly the 1st World War Australian Royal Air Force Training Corps badges on the caps - there being no actual Australian Air Force at the time.
OPENING NIGHT 12 December 2008 Focus: photography & war 1945-2006 Major General Bill Crews AO (Retd) National President of the RSL - shown at right-opened the Exhibition and gave an interesting talk about the exhibition and the photographers who have made photographic records of war around the world.
There was a good crowd in attendance and Cr Bill West, Mayor of Cowra performed the official welcome. Cr West is shown at left during his welcome address, and at right is a portion of the crowd who supported the opening.
Public Programme Event Saturday 13 December 2008
T he Cowra Regional Art Gallery and the Australian War Memorial, in association with the opening of the Australian War Memorial’s travelling exhibition Focus: photography & war 1945-2006, hosted a free public programme asking for anyone with
items of interest to bring them to the multipurpose room adjacent to the gallery, on the Saturday following the opening of the exhibition. The call to Bring in your Memorabilia certainly struck a chord with a number of the public who turned up with an amazing variety of items to take advantage of the rare opportunity of talking to a professional curator, historian and/or conservator from the Australian War Memorial, have their military objects identified, and receive tips on how to care for them. Photo right: the team in action. Diaries, photos, keepsakes, letters, flags, maps, even a knitting book, pieces of uniform, caps and a multitude of other items made their way onto the tables to be peered at (often with a magnifying glass), pondered over, admired, and advice given by four very enthusiastic and helpful experts.
Left: Margie Thomas with papers from her husband’s grandfather Major E.D. Thomas 24 & 26 Aust. Infantry Brigade at El Alamiens September 1942. DSO, - with Jane and Aaron.
Jane and Aaron admire a little war time knitting book (below)
The Experts Above: Aaron Pedram - Editorial Assistant of “War Time” magazine - an Australian Wartime history magazine, with Kate Dethridge - a curator of photo-graphs at the War Memorial. At right: Jane Peek - Military Heraldry and Technology - examining a flag. Below: Ian Fulton - conservator for Pho-tographs, Film and Sound at the War Memorial.
FRIENDS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9
JANUARY 2009. PAGE 6
The Cowra Regional Art Gallery has again conducted Summer Workshops for young people. Artist/sculptor and workshop tutor Ken Hutchinson prepared an interesting programme which was carried out with the assistance of co-tutor artist/ceramicist Caroline Briggs (above left) with the help of Gallery Administrator Simone Sly. Simone is shown at right with Cortney .
Those attending had an enjoyable and productive experience, and were pleased to show off the results of their labours to parents and friends (above)
at the end of the week.
SUMMER ART WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN
Patrick making a pot
Claire making pots
Zoë with her sculpture
Brittany working on her butterfly painting
Renee with her jewellery box
Cortney with her jewellery tree Frazier drawing
Emma finishing her art work
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9 JANUARY 2009 PAGE 7
FRIENDS NEWSLETTER
Friends Catering.
G reetings to all Friends as we embark in the 9th year of the new millennium, a year evolving as one of innovation and radical changes both on the domestic and wider scenes.
The ‘climate for change’ concept has assumed the proportions of a contagion from which very few of us have escaped. The Friends have further demonstrated the commendable culture of generosity and purpose within their ranks with their recent decision to further support the gallery by sponsoring the People’s Choice Award ($500) for the upcoming Calleen Art Awards.
The Cowra Cup race meeting held on Sunday 18th last was the latest venue where the catering skills of the Friends were appreciated by race day patrons. It is gratifying that the Friends have received repeat invitations to such functions. In conclusion may I extend to all best wishes for the New Year and express the hope that the recent holiday period delivered the desired period of leisure and life in holiday mood. Till next time.
With all best wishes, Jack
A Message from President Jack Mallon.
Our Christmas party
T his was a happy occasion (see above) but unfortunately poorly attended.
As a result, we realize that we need to send out specific flyers as it appears that a notice in the Newsletter is not sufficient. We are also considering alternatives such as a Christmas in July for this year, as late November - early December is so busy for everyone. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Members of the Friends were pleased to be able to catch up with Jacque Schultze as she passed through Cowra recently.
O nce again the Friends have successfully catered (scones and sandwiches with tea/coffee or a cool juice) for the Cowra Japan Cup race meeting.
This year there were more food vendors on the ground, but we were still able to make around $500 to add to our funds, which means that we are still on track to plan for some more worthwhile acquisitions and other things on our ‘wish’ list for the gallery, as well as assisting by sponsoring the People’s Choice Award for the Calleen Art Awards exhibition. Our next catering task is the Opening of the next exhibition in the gallery on Friday 6th February. If you can assist with food or just help on the night, please contact our catering officer Wendy on 6342 1652, not just for this occasion, but for any event throughout the year. One plate of nibbles for openings, a hand on a tea towel, or one loaf of sandwiches for the races etc. even once or twice a year is always such a help. The thing is for some of us, although the enthusiasm is still there — the spirit is willing but the flesh is becoming weaker — we need an injection of ‘younger blood’. Editor
Top photo shows President Jack explaining the ‘menu’ to a customer
and Above are some of our patrons at the tables.
Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t. Erica Jong
Please call the Cowra Regional Art Gallery on 6340 2190 for more information about the listed events.
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9 JANUARY 2009, PAGE 8
FRIENDS NEWSLETTER
GALLERY CALENDAR January to March 2009
Newsletter Editor Gwen Clark Ph (02) 63423995
DATE EXHIBITION and Public Programme Schedule
7th Feb. to
15th March
OPENING: 6.30 pm Fri 6th
February
Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun 1950 – 1970 Summer holidays were always the best times and for today’s baby boomers the images in this exhibition are bound to stir distant memories of idyllic days spent at the beach.
A National Archives Touring Exhibition. Second Skin: Painting, Prints and Ceramics by Tim Moorhead A colourful exhibition by Tim Moorhead, celebrating the Australian summer holiday at the beach and the pure pleasure of being close to the sun and the surf – referred to by Donald Horne as the “the annual changing of the skin”. Exhibition opening Friday 6 February at 6.30pm by Therese Kenyon, Director Manly Art Gallery and Museum.
PUBLIC PROGRAMME
Artist Talk 11am - 12 md
FREE
Beach Culture Images in Australian Art An illustrated talk by Tim Moorhead in association with his exhibition Second Skin exploring images of beach culture in Australia. In this talk Tim will take you on a trip to the seaside via Tom Roberts, Charles Condor, Brett Whitley, Patricia Piccinni and a host of other significant Australian artists. This talk will be followed by floor talk about the exhibition.
All welcome, admission is free.
COMING UP
21 March to 19 April 2009 The 2009 Calleen Art Award the and Central West Regional Artists Award Exhibition 25 April to 24 May 2009 A Generous Gift: works from the Gwen Frolich Bequest. “WHO YOU ARE” / Pinhole Portraiture: by Anthony Browell. Exhibition opening Friday 24 April with associated Artists Talk
PUBLIC PROGRAMME
Sat 21st February
11am to 3pm
FREE
Photographic Conservation Workshop and Clinic Saturday 21 February 2009 at 11am to 3pm A special workshop presented by Peter Shaw, Conservator National Archives of Australia in association with the exhibition Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun 1950 – 1970 a National Archives of Australia touring exhibition. 11.00am to 12.30pm Information on how to store, preserve, handle and display various types of photographs found in institutional and family collections. This will cover colour and black and white prints, as well as negatives, slides and photographic albums. 1.30pm to 2.15pm Advise on digitising historical photographs including how best to digitally copy and preserve your photographs. 2.15pm to 3.00pm Conservation Clinic – participants are encouraged to bring along their own historic photographs for discussion. Note: lunch is not provided, self service tea and coffee available. All welcome, admission is free to all sessions.
Catering Officer Wendy Quilter Ph (02) 63421652
“The Friends” is a volunteer organisation formed to support the Cowra Regional Art Gallery
“The Friends” is a committee of Cowra Shire Council Meetings are held the first Friday of each month at 5.30 pm in the Multipurpose room adjacent to the Gallery
except when the date clashes with an Opening night..
