Reading ……………………..24 to

Among the seminal texts of the 20th century, Nineteen Eighty-Four is a rare work that grows more haun ng as its futuris c purgatory becomes more real.

Published in 1949, the book offers poli cal sa rist George Orwell's nightmarish vision of a totalitarian, bureaucra c world and one poor s ff's a empt to find individuality. The brilliance of the novel is Orwell's prescience of modern life—the ubiquity of television, the distor on of the language—and his ability to construct such a thorough version of hell. Required reading for students since it was published, it ranks among the most terrifying novels ever wri en.

In the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to appease the needs of the Party. Inwardly, he rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the watchful eye of Big Brother. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with Julia. Awakening to new possibili es, Winston begins to ques on the party. But what is the price of freedom?

Art Exhibi on ‘Looking’ by Tess Horwitz and Barbara McConchie runs Friday 13 to Sunday 22 May 2022 at the Narooma Gallery, Narooma

Looking is a collec on of small works that reflect on the natural world. These drawings, collages, watercolours and pain ngs invite different ways of looking and imagining. Detailed studies of remnant objects, such as shells, bones, and seed pods, are juxtaposed with wider landscapes, exploring the intricacy, wonder and vulnerability of nature.

Tess describes her work as recording ‘ ny worlds of wonderment’. She notes that “Seeds, shells and bones are superb designs. They are tools for procrea on, protec on and structural integrity. Looking and recording these bits of nature has resulted in a suite of in mate artworks, like the objects themselves. They could be viewed as celebra ons of intricacy, also as relics of a dying world.” Barbara’s work evolved through looking at her late mother’s landscape photos. She says: “Ini ally I was drawn to remembering her through the act of making small pain ngs from these images. Then daily early morning walks looking out across mountain ranges or horizon lines became new source material. Each work is not a true reflec on of a view, but an amalgam of looking and imagining, with a growing cognisance of the unstable state of our world.”

Based in Canberra since 1990, Tess Horwitz is an ar st and art educator with a Master of Arts in Sculpture from the ANU School of Art. She has exhibited installa on works, coordinated large-scale community art projects and received commissions for public artworks, including the ACT Bushfire Memorial and the Bimberi Youth Jus ce Centre. Her work is held in a number of public collec ons, including the Na onal Gallery of Australia.

Born in Canberra, Barbara McConchie permanently relocated to Kianga in 2020. She studied at the ANU School of Art, then worked as an edi on printer with Studio One Print Workshop. Barbara has an extensive career in arts management as Director of Cra ACT: Cra & Design Centre and the School Manager at the ANU School of Art & Design. She has exhibited regularly since 1992.

‘Looking’ Tess Horwitz & Barbara McConchie Where: Narooma Gallery, 92 Campbell St, Narooma, NSW Australia Dates: Friday 13 May to Sunday 22 May 2022 Open: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm each day – closed Monday 16 May Ar sts talk: 2:00 pm, Saturday 21 May