MUSIC FESTIVAL

Triple J Hottest 100 regular Genesis Owusu is joining Storyland co-headliner doubleGrammy nominated, jazz-soul giants Hiatus Kaiyote, who will perform fresh from their set at Coachella.

Festival Director Dave Horsley said “There are all these incredible music artists that just don’t come to Coffs. We started Storyland to change all that,” said Festival Director Dave Horsley.

Storyland has two live music stages, bars, food trucks, largescale artworks (one involving three full-sized caravans in a trailer park), roving performers, interactive cinematic experiences, pole dancers, and – as the name says – a story running throughout the festival, designed by Storyland’s Creative Directors, Zakpage. Storyland is an 18+ only event – and be warned, things are going to get lewd.

It’s an electric, eclectic ride on Storyland’s Main Stage with Genesis Owusu, Hiatus Kaiyote, Ngaiire, Emma Donovan, and Horns of Leroy joined by two new artists – powerhouse First Nations dance party duo Electric Fields join the line-up along with K+LAB, back from his

North American tour, with his larger-than-life big bass and breaks set.

Storyland’s DJ tent, The Yurt Locker, curated by programmer Coco Varma, is headlined by self-styled all-girl, sleazy bass, DJ collective The Clitoverse, complete with pole dancers Filthy Aliens and a big dancey can’t-stopmovin’ beat from Sophdexx & Themzy that will quickly remind you why Storyland is an 18+ event. Disco-funk specialist DJ Jemka also joins the line-up, alongside Resin Dogs resident beats- master DJ Katch. These new dance artists join Papa Boom, Ice G, reggae-dub MC Fitzroy Lee, and the Godfather of UK’s ethno funk scene, Coco Varma – all with projection mapping and visuals by VJ Fluxa.

Music isn’t the only thing on the menu at Storyland. Throughout the festival are large scale film- inspired art installations (remember, it’s made by the folks at SWIFF!). Animated by Caleb Cowie, and written by Storyland’s Creative Directors, Zakpage, festival-goers will experience a signature Storyland narrative backbone that plays out over three chapters across the day and night. Zakpage describes Storyland as “a place where you can run around with your mates and immerse yourself in your love of movies, music, food and partying.”

Zakpage have also created Gladerunner, a neo-noir cyberpunk experience. Imagine a theatrical, dramatic art installation drenched in themes from sci-fi film classics. There are also chill out areas, a roving band of Mad Maxinspired marauders, heaps of festivalgoers dressing up as their fave movie characters –and even a pop-up costume shop at Storyland on the day.

Film Production Designer Sarah Stollman has designed [Movie] Trailer Park, an art installation, decking out three full-sized caravans with film-themed versus battle motifs, located throughout the Food Village.

Storyland is an 18+ adults only event. For tickets and festival info slmf.com.au

Can you tell us about your background and how you became interested in art and painting?

I grew up in the Blue Mountains, so I was lucky to be in a place with a beautiful natural environment and a creative culture. I spent my young years exploring the bush, playing in creeks and my Mum’s garden and this gave me my love of the natural world which has really become the foundation of just about everything I have done in life, including my art. My Mum was a wonderful woman and had the greatest impact on me in many ways as a young child and it was her that introduced me to art. She was very creative and a great artist herself and I was surrounded by art, art literature and all kinds of materials. She encouraged me to play with and try everything from pencils, pastels and charcoal to inks and paint and even collage and clay and to just go at it with total freedom.

She taught me about the art that I came to love myself, that is Impressionist, Post Impressionist, Modernist and Contemporary movements and how they broke free of the stuffy and limiting conventions that came before them. I spent hours getting lost in pictures by Vincent and Picasso and would in my mind wander through the landscapes of Namatjira, Olsen and Dick Roughsey.

I have never lost my interest in visual arts and creative practices in general and have always been creative and imaginative, though as a young adult I lacked the discipline to develop my painting properly. I ended up studying Horticulture, Landscaping and Conservation Land Management and pursued this field as a career and a big part of that has been designing and creating gardens. This really became my art for a long time but I would often still draw or paint in my own time. Recently though I’ve been drawn back to it and with maturity I’ve been able to develop that discipline I lacked and take my art to a higher level.

How would you describe your style of art?

I would describe my art as Modern Impressionist though I try not to get too caught up in definitions or categorisation. I feel that my work has quite a unique style as I use techniques that I developed myself. How do you typically approach a new painting? Can you walk us through your creative process?

The initial inspiration for a painting can be either spontaneous or planned, to a degree, but always stems from everyday experiences. When I find or come across a landscape that I want to paint I feel moved by it emotionally. This is important for me as I try to express something more than just a pretty picture. I really immerse myself in that time and space and take note of how it makes me feel and what it is that is creating those feelings. I then take lots of photos of that scene, trying to capture the atmosphere and colours more than anything else. From that I will often do some small practice pieces but I never go too far with that as I prefer to let the final piece flow.

Where do you draw a lot of your inspiration from?

Nature has always been my biggest inspiration. Australia has such magical scenery and in this region we are blessed with amazing, varied and beautiful landscapes so inspiration isn’t hard to come by. Conservation and treating the land with respect has always been something I’ve believed in and been involved with and I find it distressing to see the way that country has been damaged since colonisation. Painting landscapes that are still natural and beautiful is important for me and by doing so I hope to instil in others a sense of respect and love for our land.

Continued over...

How do you decide on the composition and colour palette for a landscape painting?

Modern technology is fantastic in this way as I can take the photos I have and play with them in all kinds of ways, including zooming in on distant views and cropping them down to pleasing compositions. When I do a layout for the painting the final composition is usually altered a little or stylised from reality in order to give the painting a certain feeling or emphasise certain elements within the picture. I am far more interested in this aspect of it than I am in details or photo-realism. I keep to quite a limited colour palette, particularly with the paints I use and the same colours are generally repeated throughout my paintings. I use colours that are sympathetic with those found in our natural environment and which are created with our unique light. The pastel overlay that I use is a little more varied and gives me more freedom to capture unusual hues and details.

Can you discuss your use of different mediums and techniques in your art?

My paintings are done with acrylic bases built up in washes and layers. These vary from painting to painting, depending on both the type of light that is present and the mood or feeling that I am trying to portray. For example, some pictures or elements within pictures have a pure grayscale under-painting or grey scale with very little colour. Others are built on washes of brighter or more pure colour. Different elements will have more or less layers built over this with either washes or thicker paint. When dry I then use pastels to add highlights and details and these are blended using a variety of techniques. first public display will be at the Mantova Art Prize Exhibition at the Bellingen showgrounds (opening 6 May 2023). I will have two pieces displayed and for sale.

How do you capture the atmosphere and mood of a specific place in your painting?

This is the most important aspect I try to capture in my work. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that ‘skies are blue, trees are green’ but careful observation will show that there can be almost infinite shades within those colours and many other colours present as well. These tones and colours change dramatically over a day and also vary in different conditions and capturing these sometimes subtle variations is the key to creating certain moods and atmosphere. For example, two paintings may both feature skies based on the same type of blue but will end up vastly different. Differences of tone can be added within that blue and other colours used in conjunction with it such as ochre yellow or magenta and these are the things that will ultimately give a painting both realism and character.

Can you talk about any challenges you have faced while creating art and how you overcame them?

I would say that the main challenges I have faced are probably similar to those that many people have in the artistic journeys. Finding one’s own style is often very difficult. The way I overcame that was to try many different mediums and styles of art until I found one that I both enjoyed and felt right to me and one that I felt represented or portrayed the subject I wished to paint. Also, learning to be more loose and not as precious helped enormously. This I learnt through technique but also by just having fun with art and when practising producing things that I had no intention of keeping or even showing others.

How do you envision your art evolving in the future? Are there any new techniques or subjects you are interested in exploring?

Presently I am concentrating on painting this area, that is Gumbaynggirr Country and nearby but in the future I would like to start travelling further afield and painting other places. I would also like to try using different mediums such as oil paint.

Where can people check out your work or get in touch?

My first public display will be at the Mantova Art Prize Exhibition at the Bellingen showgrounds (opening 6 May 2023). I will have two pieces displayed and for sale.

I am in the process of building a website where people will be able to view and purchase both original pieces as well as archival prints. If anyone is interested in my work in the meantime they can contact me via email: arne.nelson@gmail.com

Thanks Arne.

READY TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR LIFE?

Port Macquarie is going to light up this June long weekend! ArtWalk Port Macquarie, Main Event Friday 9 June 2023, 5pm-9pm. Satellite Events throughout the long weekend.

2023 has seen a return to ‘life as we knew it’ and the pace has picked up. Be there to experience a welcome escape into a celebration of all things creative - ArtWalk!

‘Up in Lights’. Shining the spotlight on local creative talent, see the CBD transform with magical lighting, interactive art, musicians, dancers, artists, performers, digital installations and pockets of unexpected delight.

The winter evening will warm up with ‘Fever Dream’ - a show with Puppeteers from Curious Legends, making its debut at ArtWalk. ‘Fever Dream’ allows participants to become a part of a ‘Fever of Stingrays’. Light, colour and a unique soundscape combine into an unforgettable, interactive performance for family audiences.

Featuring 9 open-air precincts throughout the CBD and plenty of participating businesses, cafes, bars and restaurants. Rug up and venture into a gleaming wonderland of our creative talent and experience interactive experiences to inspire both the young and young at heart.

ArtWalk has a revitalised program this year. The main event unfurls around the Port

Macquarie CBD, encompassing Town Green, Clarence Street and Murray Street.

ArtBites Food Truck Central is an enticing new addition with so many options, or book a table at one of our incredible eateries in the CBD.

The amazing team behind last year’s hit ‘Tortuga’, Lucy and Gordo, will bring their unique flair to the Murray Street precinct, along with Leah Doeland and her yarn bombs weaving magic (see what we did there!).

Enjoy meandering through streets of art and entertainment, with CBD businesses continuing the tradition of hosting artists in their venues. Take some fun photos with the neon signs through town – and don’t forget to share them on your Insta – you might see them pop up in unexpected places! - or settle under the heaters in the Town Green ‘Chill Out Zone’ with live music and lighting installations to marvel at.

Port Macquarie Museum will be boasting free entry and an indoor digital exhibition ‘Living in the Seventies’ presenting Port Macquarie during the 1970s.

There are also some amazing satellite events showcasing local artists throughout the long weekend at Serotonin Lighthouse Beach, Brewhaven, The Parade North Haven, Belle Property and Dark Alley Collectables at William Street and more in the works!

Enjoy meandering through streets of art and entertainment, with CBD businesses continuing the tradition of hosting artists in their venues.

This now eagerly anticipated annual event is free, family friendly and fabulous.

ArtWalk will lead into a delectable weekend for Port Macquarie with Sip N Savour kicking off Friday 9 June at Westport Park and carrying through the long weekend. Be sure to check out the ArtWalk website for all the latest updates artwalkpmq.com.au artwalkpmq.com.au

ArtWalk is brought to you by Port MacquarieHastings Council, with support from our local creative community.

#artwalkpmq

FRIDAY 9 JUNE 5pm - 9pm PORT CBD