Inspired!

Maitland writer and artist Matt Petherbridge and his daughters were thrilled to return to MRAG when it reopened in June 2020, and were inspired by the exhibitions 'Safe Space' and 'The Re-Enchantment'.

It was really special to be back in MRAG after the COVID-19 lockdown. My daughters Marnie (4) and Blair (1) absolutely love the Gallery and it’s a real delight to see their relationship with art, their perceptions and reactions, grow and change. Marnie’s visceral and unmitigated reactions are priceless.

I wrote a poem about her reaction to Alex Seton’s three-dimensional artwork 'Someone Else’s Problem' on display in 'Safe Space Contemporary Sculpture'. It’s part of a poetry series I’ve been writing called COVID-19 Metamorphosis, which is my poetic response to the pandemic, the ensuing months of protests, worldwide uncertainty and unrest.

The series freeze frames on the most important things in our lives at this time, our families and our sacred spaces.

Alex Seton, 'Someone Else’s Problem' (detail), 2015, marble dust, resin, Tasmanian oak, stainless steel, dimensions variable

OAR!

Steam pillowing out from under the door

knees knock before the quarantine airlock

The nervous toe tap, awaiting the unlatch

We’re back!!!

Rush of blood, into open space

Through the foyer like The Flash

A monolithic cavalcade of oars!

WOWWWWW… Awesome

An incredulous outpouring of joy

Exalted return to what we loved before

The COVID-19 metamorphosis

Matt Petherbridge

We also recently had the time and space for the girls to make their own ‘Box City’, as part of Helen Hopcroft’s exhibition 'The Re-Enchantment'.

If there was ever an antidote to the pandemic, of children being banned from playgrounds, it is an interactive, imaginative space such as this.

In each issue of Artel we share a member’s creative response to an artwork on display at MRAG. So, if an artwork inspires you to get creative – whether it be to write, cook, dance or sing – we’d love to hear about it! Please contact us at artelmagazine@gmail.com.