6 minute read
Remembering George Kirk
REMEMBERING GEORGE
GEORGE KIRK
Penelope Wharton
At almost 99 years, George Kirk (1921-2020) was still drawing and painting in his Maryborough studio. In earlier years he would create in his studio at Aroona the family property. He was a much loved, prolific regional artist who was a joyful, inquisitive art maker and a hard-working third generation cattleman of the Burnett district. Inspired by concepts of freedom and externalising inner emotion, he was a diligent student of colour and form who observed his landscape and social environment with a keen eye. George’s images were also informed by his passionate and in-depth study of the works of the post-impressionists, expressionists, surrealists, and many contemporary Australian artists. George described his attitude to creativity in the 1982 Australian Flying Arts School catalogue, “…drawing and painting, or the creative spirit, has been ever-present since early childhood, and perhaps my highest aspiration is to be accepted as an artist among artists.”
As a cattleman, George rode the ridges, immersing himself in the natural world, closely observing and feeling its moods. His use of rich colour, metamorphosing forms of earth and being, and forms that emerge from the landscape confirm his intimacy with the natural environment. He produced many large canvases, small works on canvas and paper; and computer-generated ‘Mouse Painting.’ His work is a homage to playfulness and staying young at heart, displaying George’s unique and quirky way of seeing the world – a refreshing and unusual portrayal of familiar things.
‘Let’s Play, a George Kirk retrospective’ is exhibiting at Gatakers Artspace from 11 March – 24 April 2022.
Exhibitions Black and White
Neil Kirkby
FRI 11 MAR - SUN 24 APR
Neil Kirkby's pen and ink drawings capture iconic places across Australia including buildings from our region such as Maryborough's Criterion Hotel and a beach house at Tinnanbar.
Criterion Hotel, pen and ink wash. © The artist.
Together - Place, Time & Memory
Sandra Ross & Keith Kuchenmeister
FRI 11 MAR - SUN 24 APR Keith and Sandra respond to memories and experiences through mark-making and imaginative drawing using different media. Keith and Sandra’s intimate landscapes resonate feelings of solace in their daily experiences, togetherness with family and place, and contemplation of mortality. Each artist turns to art as a space to consider their existence and the effects of the passage of time.
Keith Kuchenmeister, Together, pen and watercolour wash. © The artist.
Let's Play - George Kirk, A Retrospective
FRI 11 MAR - SUN 24 APR George Kirk was one of Maryborough's most repected and well loved artists. This retrospective shares his unique and quirky way of seeing the world.
The Top Sire 2017. Oil on canvas. © The artist.
EXHIBITION OPENINGS
Meet the artists and discover the inspiration behind their artworks. Enjoy a drink from the licenced bar as you wander through the gallery's latest works.
FRIDAY 11 MARCH | 6pm 'Black and White', 'Let's Play' & 'Together - Place, Time & Memory'
FRIDAY 29 APRIL | 6pm 'Mid-Sentence', 'Burnt Offerings', 'Places We Have Been' & 'Memories of People and Places in Australia and Ireland'
BOOK YOUR PLACE: our COVIDSafe events and workshops have limited capacity. Registration is essential, please go to gatakersartspace.com.au
Shanay Manitzky
FRI 29 APR - SUN 12 JUN Mid-sentence is an introspective exhibition comprised of several bodies of work. Each series explores a different moment in time significant to her journey. Dipping in between real and surreal imagery, the intricately detailed portraits are inspired by personal experiences, yet invite the viewer to construct their own narrative. Shanay is a multi-disciplinary artist, often creating works in pencil, pen, paint and film. Inspired by the everyday, her practice reflects on relatable themes such as motherhood, sexism and running out of tomato sauce.
Ran Out of Tomato Sauce, pencil. © The artist.
Places We Have Been
FRI 29 APR - SUN 12 JUN A collection of images collated by travellers – Jo Dansie, Vicki Armstrong, Wendy Talbot & Helen Campbell, of places traversed beyond our shores.
Brian Mooney
FRI 29 APR - SUN 12 JUN Capturing his experiences and the people encountered while living everywhere from the Australian Outback, Cape York Peninsula to Ireland and Launceston, artist and folk musician Brian uses a variety of media including oil watercolour and pencil. His work has been presented in both Ireland and several Australian galleries in Melbourne, Sydney, and Launceston where he now resides.
Drovers under the western tiers, Tasmania. Egg tempera with oil glazing. © The artist.
Burnt Offerings
Maryborough Woodburners
FRI 29 APR - SUN 12 JUN A showcase of the art of pyrography. Combined works by a small group of people with a common interest in the process of burning images on wood.
Lesley Jefferson, Sherekhan. Pyrography. © The artist.
ARTIST TALKS
Sandra Ross & Keith Kuchenmeister
SAT 19 MAR | 11am
Brian Mooney
SAT 30 APR | 11am
Shanay Scarlet Manitzky
SAT 14 MAY | 11am
BOOK YOUR PLACE: our COVIDSafe events and workshops have limited capacity. Registration is essential, please go to www.gatakersartspace.com.au
WORKSHOPS AT GATAKERS
Monoprinting & Drawing with Sandra Ross
SAT 2 - SUN 3 APR Cost applies. Materials Supplied.
JamFactory Clay Colouring
SAT 21 & SUN 22 MAY Cost applies. Materials Supplied.
Check www.gatakersartspace.com.au for details and bookings.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE
www.ourfrasercoast.com.au is the place to discover things to do these Easter Hoildays. Visit Gatakers Artspace or The Story Bank, join the free Walking Tours of Maryborough or explore our parks, gardens and playgrounds on your own.
A SPACE FOR CREATIVITY
Set to open its doors in late May, the final section of the historic Gatakers warehouse complex facing Kent Street is being transformed into a modern creative space. Complimenting the refurbished Gatakers Artspace exhibition space, the double-storey Kent Street building will house life drawing, print making, clay space, workshops, pop up exhibitions and a retail shop. The new space will enable local artists to develop their ideas and participate in a myriad of creative activities. a The Gataker's buildings were once robust warehouses for the bustling port of Maryborough. The warehouses are among the oldest in Maryborough and have been sensitively restored to preserve the historic value of the buildings, while creating contemporary exhibition and studio spaces. The handsome iron columns and upper storey raked ceiling remain proud features of the renewed space, while the first flight of original staircase has been retained beneath a new metal stair. The greatly improved facilities include a spacious multifunctional area and the installation of an accessibility lift to the upper storey. Once open, you can visit during Gatakers Artspace opening hours, or book the space for creative activities.
Top: 311 Kent St, formerly Netterfield & Palmer. Maryborough & Wide Bay & Burnett Historical Museum. Middle: A flight of the original staircase has been retained under the new stairs. Trevor Spohr. Bottom: The newly renovated first floor. Trevor Spohr.
