Toowoomba Art Society Ltd
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Welcome back everyone. I trust you had a good Christmas/New Year break and are raring to go with the Autumn Exhibition imminent. And a particular welcome to new members. Amahl and I went to Sudan to visit family in Omdurman and Khartoum and celebrate our eldest nephew’s marriage. Unfortunately, South Omdurman is experiencing two crises: underground water, possibly from the Nile, is systematically undermining the traditional mud-brick architecture causing serious damage to the homes, while paradoxically there is a serious lack of water which made showering impossible! On the way we visited Doha, Qatar, which like Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the adjacent UAE is expanding at a furious rate. A highlight was visiting the wonderful new Museum of Islamic Art. And we returned via a small Mediterranean country which has the world’s oldest megalithic architecture (ca 3,600BC) as well as being a meeting point between North Africa and Southern Europe: Malta. Thanks to Eddie Gunn for repainting the walls, which after 9 years of exhibitions were in need of some cosmetic surgery.
TAS’ bus trip to QAGOMA on 31.01 was very successful with 25 aboard. Gerhard Richter’s The Life of Images, Yayoi Kusama’s Life is the Heart of a Rainbow and Pablo Picasso’s Vollard Suite provided a feast of terrific art. We hope to have another couple of bus trips by mid-year to QAGOMA and Stanthorpe, and strongly encourage you to participate.
Our exhibition program kicks off with 2 utterly different displays. For some years Michael Cook has launched the series with his recent paintings, and has periodically shown sculptures in the courtyard. Now he is exhibiting a record of the third strand of his prolific output in This is Performance Art. Cook evokes a sense of 1920s Surrealism in his wry sense of the absurd as he plays the violin while wearing a horse’s head, attaches a violin to his head and swathes himself in gladwrap. These transient events are captured by sundry photographers, including Graham Burstow, Gerard Saide and John Peering. Jeanette Walton’s work is far more familiar: wildlife, still lifes and landscapes in pastels, watercolours and oils. While one senses some dependence on existing images of animals, she works with confidence and flair in an appealing exhibition.
At the Nov.25 Board Meeting it was agreed to include a couple of items in the Feb. Newsletter. 1. Complaints procedure (new By-law) “It is expected that all members will treat their fellows with respect at all times, realising that we are all responsible for the smooth, amicable running of Toowoomba Art Society, for our premises and equipment. Increasing numbers in shared spaces can lead to misunderstandings, but unreasonable responses are unacceptable.” 2. Re a members’ suggestion that we hold an annual sponsored art competition, we already have two members’ exhibitions per annum, one of which offers significant prize money. Do we really need another? If so when? These exhibitions require a lot of setting up. We also have a full program of individual and group exhibitions. We know from experience how much work goes into acquiring and holding on to outside sponsors, so the present Board is not prepared to take it on. Which isn’t to say that members can’t take responsibility for additional events.
A productive year to you all.
Allan Bruce (01.02.18)
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS 30th January to 25th February
In Culliford Gallery
MICHAEL COOK
“This is Performance Art”
Photographs of the artist performing
by Graham Burstow, Gerry Saide,
John Peering, Greg Sobey, Graham
Jacobsen, Julie Clarke, Krishneil &
Ravneil Sami, Patrick Tonks,
Kimberley & David Cattell
In the Corridor
“Places I’ve Been,
Things I’ve Seen”
an exhibition of oil & pastel
paintings
by
Jeanette Walton
MEMBERSHIP 2018
Renewal of membership is due by 28th February 2018. Payment may be made by cash, cheque payable to Toowoomba Art Society Ltd, Eftpos or direct debit TAS account details are: Toowoomba Art Society Ltd. BSB 638-060 Account number 13549774 (Heritage Bank Members code S13)
If paying by direct debit to renew your membership, please email to TAS a copy of the bank transfer details. If you have changed
any details – address, phone number, email, etc. please complete and submit a green renewal form.
If you are a new member, please email the bank transfer details and your personal details if you have not submitted a yellow
Application for Membership form.
For cash or cheque payments, please put in an envelope marked Membership Renewal, your full name and amount paid and put
under office door if the office is unattended.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Welcome Chelsea Baker, Kryss Eamer, Penny Eamer, Kylie Gardner, Anne Green and Christine Gruss.
We hope you enjoy your experience at TAS and that you make full use of our many facilities and friendly
atmosphere. Keep up to date with our Newsletters, web page (toowoombaartsociety.com.au) Facebook page (TAS –
Toowoomba Art Society) as well as the noticeboard & printed materials in the corridor.
NB. If you have paid for membership online using direct debit & have not received a receipt or
membership card in the mail it could be because you did not give us your address/email/phone number. If
this is you, please email your details to [email protected]
MEMBERS’ AUTUMN EXHIBITION – 3rd to 29th April
To ensure your work is accepted & is presented in a professional manner ready for hanging, please abide by the conditions and criteria below:
1. Entries are limited to one work per member and MUST be on a 45 X 45cm canvas bought from TAS. N.B. Works not on a canvas provided by TAS or not signed in will not be accepted. There are still a few 45 X 45 canvases available for purchase.
2. Works must be unframed and clean on the edges if left unpainted. 3. Cord or wire must be attached at exactly 10cm below the top of the frame and stretched TAUTLY to
ensure all works hang uniformly. 4. Email entry details (artist, name, title of work, medium & price) to [email protected] before
Friday 23rd March. 5. Deliver entries to TAS between 2pm & 4pm, Sunday 1st April. On delivery, artists must have their works
signed in. Should you be unable to deliver your work in person on the Sunday, please arrange to have it delivered or leave it beforehand in the library with all details attached to back of the work.
LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
London Heir’s first lesson last Friday “Portraiture for Beginners” was a great success with all attendees greatly impressed by London’s presentation and interesting activities. London has indicated that she would be willing to give lessons after hours for those who expressed disappointment in not being able to attend
due to work commitments. Email London if you are interested in attending an evening class – [email protected]
Photo Gallery If you didn’t come on our bus trip to QAGOMA last Wednesday you missed a really fascinating & stimulating
array of exhibitions. So much to see in so few hours!
The Creative Artists Books Group is offering a class on ‘Coptic Binding’. It will be held on 14th and 21st February from 1pm until 3.30. This is open to all TAS
members and their friends who might be interested. For more information contract Elizabeth on [email protected] or
Noelle on [email protected]
Resin Art Workshops with Rebecca and Catherine Ketton
Saturday, March 17th Morning (9am – 12noon) or Afternoon (2pm – 5pm) Toowoomba Art Society, 1 Godsall St, Toowoomba
Contact Rebecca on 0402070959 Email: [email protected]
Cost inclusive of all materials $200
Pour beautiful, unique artworks in epoxy glass resin. Rebecca and Catherine will demonstrate the process then guide you
through the creation of your own masterpiece in this exciting hands-on workshop. All equipment and materials will be
supplied. Wear old clothes and shoes!
CLASSES and WORKSHOPS on offer at TAS in February & March
PASTEL WORKSHOP
Paul McCormack is offering a 2 day
Workshop in the use of soft pastels
on 17th & 18th February 2018.
Paul's previous workshops have
booked out very quickly, so to
avoid disappointment, contact Paul
ASAP to book and for further
details