Mark Wardle feature artist

Recently opened in Maldon, the MANet artists’ gallery is a collective of eight local artists who are all excited about the opportunity to exhibit, and sell their work, locally.

The Local has a copy of Knife Drop by Nick DiGiovanni to give away. For your chance to win email news@tlnews.com.au with your town and contact number by Friday, July 14.

1. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat one side of each slice of bread with mayonnaise, about 1/2 tablespoon per slice. 2. Place 4 slices of bread on a work surface, mayonnaise side down. On each of the 4 slices, spread a thin layer of blueberry jam, about 1 tablespoon per slice. Evenly distribute the brie, blueberries, and cheddar over the jam. Close each sandwich with a slice of bread, mayonnaise side up. 3. In a large non-stick pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 2 sandwiches and cook on one side for about 5 minutes. Use a weight, such as a small pan lid, to press down the sandwiches. Flip and cook for 5 minutes on the other side, until the exteriors of the sandwiches are browned and crisp and the cheese has melted. 4. Transfer the sandwiches to a serving platter. Repeat the cooking process for the remaining sandwiches. Serve immediately.

TIP: It is important to go low and slow, not rushing with high heat, to prevent the bread browning faster than the cheese is able to melt.

The group consists of six visual artists, a jeweller and a woodturner. Each month one of the artists in the collective will exhibit their work as feature artist of the month. Mark Wardle is the inaugural feature artist with his work on display until July 21.

Mark uses woodturning as the basis of most of his work, with pieces often embellished with texture or carving. He has always enjoyed working with wood, trying to bring out the natural beauty of the material whilst also working with the inherent imperfections that wood contains. Many of his pieces start with preliminary sketches that are inspired by organic forms or different styles of graphic art. He has always enjoyed the challenge of adapting these elements into turned work. In this retrospective exhibition, people will see many ways in which he has approached this challenge.

“It is my hope that the visitor will enjoy the many ways in which I have come up with ways to express these adaptions on turned work and also enjoy the contrast between the very delicate pieces, and others that reflect the ruggedness and brutality of trees that grow in Australia’s often harsh environments,” Mark said.

Along with the exhibition of woodturnings will be some of Mark's graphic art and kinetic sculpture (also made from wood) called The Marble Steps, pictured.

The MANet Arts Focus gallery is at 27 Main Street, Maldon. It is open from 11am to 4pm on Wednesday & Friday, 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday and open most public holidays.

Link: www.maldonartistnetwork.org.au