EXHIBITION BACKGROUND

From 2001 to now.

Held first in 2001 and then biennially, Strand Ephemera is in its 5th incarnation. Strand Ephemera was initiated by Townsville’s Regional Gallery to explore public art in a contained context. Strand Ephemera presents possibilities of public art for selection for “permanent” works, ensures an audience for contemporary practice by presenting the exhibition in a magnificent outdoor environment, and engages the visiting public.

At the time it began, and as a driving rationale, Strand Ephemera provided an opportunity for north Queensland practitioners. Strand Ephemera gave artists a reason to experiment in moving from a studio based practice to a public art focus, and ultimately to prepare them to compete for lucrative art commissions being offered under the State Government’s Art Built-in Program. This objective was achieved with a number of artists moving into the public art arena.

“Ephemera” was and is the creative element to be interpreted by artists in any possible way. It can simply refer to the short life span of the exhibition, or as an encouragement to be innovative in the use of materials - accessible, organic, or as some artists interpret the brief, to produce work that disintegrates over the period of the exhibition.

A major sculpture exhibition could easily become a juggernaut that is rolled out each time. To maintain interest, particularly of the artists and artsworkers involved, and to develop the exhibition, it has been necessary to investigate different elements each year. In 2007 Australia Council funding was accessed to introduce the work of selected practitioners, presented in containers. Where we had been increasingly tending to select individual works to please the general public, to restore a balance within the exhibition it became important to present focussed contemporary practice. The security provided by lockable containers gave greater scope. 2007 was also the biggest year, with 49 works.

As the preceding event informs the next, in 2009, this year, a guest curator, Head of Sculpture at a Melbourne University, was asked to select the works from the applications received. There had already been a discussion about reducing the number of works, and the implementation of a rigorous selection process resulted in this. With fewer works, a focus could be given to the public program.

This year will also mark a fresh approach to the public program, presenting more structured opportunities for the general public to participate in workshops held on the Strand. To continue to develop a national profile, Strand Ephemera 5 is held in conjunction with the Fourth National Public Galleries Summit, a three day conference attracting delegates from across Australia and New Zealand.

The exhibition also develops from feedback received from the participators and visitors. Your comments are welcomed. These can be left on the back of the Walters IGA People’s Choice Award, or sent directly to our email: ptrg@townsville.qld.gov.au

The Gallery team works tirelessly to present this exhibition and I acknowledge all team members for their extraordinary contributions, in particular Curator Amber Church.

Strand Ephemera is a living exhibition.

Toogoolawah / Queensland

Poole is atttracted to the seen and unseen aspects of our ancient Australian landscape. The unseen encompasses the still strong spiritual presence of indigenous people.

Each day of the exhibition this work will appear somewhere different along the Strand.

(Tree Museum)

Hilux truck, aluminum frame, steel tray and approximately 4,000 clear PVC carved leaves suspended from wire mesh.

170 h x 185 w x 480 l cm with truck

The ethereal quality of clear vinyl evokes dreams and memories of a lost environment. This work has been inspired by the prophetic lyrics of Joni Mitchell.

Tinaroo / Queensland

Born on the Atherton Tablelands Feher completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts with Honours at James Cook University Townsville.

The Cray 2005-09 copper & galvanised steel 750 x 350 x 110 cm

$ 39,600

I used a live specimen which I captured from Lake Tinaroo as a model for this work. I hope that those who view The Cray can enjoy the form and character of the creature as well as the appropriate natural patina the copper has assumed.

Tony Cuthbertson

Townsville /Queensland

Tony Cuthbertson currently resides on Magnetic Island and in 2006 completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts at James Cook University Townsville.

Bottiger’s Hut 2009

Timber, natural fibres, polystyrene foam, plastic board and fibreglass sheeting, 3/4 life-size

Mr Otto Bottiger, a retired bank manager, built a one-roomed cottage on a sand dune at the north-eastern end of Nelly Bay beach on Magnetic Island, in about 1920. In recreating a three-quarter replica my aim is to evoke a sense of nostalgia, as well as to pose questions about what we collectively seek, what we collectively achieve and what we collectively lose.

Tijn Meulendijks

Kuranda /Queensland

Tijn Meulendijks is a Dutch born installation artist currently based in Cairns. After completing his masters training in floral art in the Netherlands, Tijn moved to Australia and established himself as a contemporary foral-designer.

Untitled 2009 plant material,vines

180 h x 80 w x 60/70 d cm

The cocoon, the wrapping form, is a form that‘s coming back to me all the time. As an artist working mainly with vegetation it has a lot of meaning for me - thinking of germination, growing, flowering, wilting and decaying.

Jan Hynes

Townsville /Queensland

Jan Hynes has a Bachelor of Arts Degree (painting) from Queensland College of Art and completed a Masters of Creative Arts from James Cook University.

Pink Piano 2009 painted piano, cards life-size

$ 1000

I see Pink Piano as an interactive artwork that will appeal to all ages and entice people to linger, participate and enjoy the combination of music, art and nature on the Strand.

Candace Miles

Townsville /Queensland

By making metaphors visible, Miles focuses on local and regional issues developed through sensitivity to insights of place and the effects of ecological intervention on the wider social and environmental realm.

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The threatened species? The practice of shark finning is killing sharks every year at an increasing rate. This increased catching of sharks is a concern with many species considered to be endangered.

Pam Lane

Ingham /Queensland

Lane‘s original training in graphic design often features in her work. 3D assemblage however holds the strongest appeal. Lane continues to explore different mediums, primarily clay.

This work is scattered along the beach between Landsborough and Stuart Street Headlands. Participants are invited to collect and complete the drift cards before returning to the Strand Ephemera Information Desk for this data to be recorded.

Drift Capsules 2009 mixed medium

Each capsule is approx 15 cm long by 5 cm in diameter

In contrast to the traditional release of drift cards to track ocean currents, these symbolic capsules prompt the audience to consider discarded inland refuse travelling over land to reach the waterways.

Barbara Pierce

Townsville / Queensland

Pierce is a Townsville born artist who lived in the UK for several years. After studying art, she travelled to Britain again on an Australia Council grant. This research continues to inform her current practice.

Quarantine (1+2)

2009

Mixed media - recycled timber/furniture, household linen (some recycled), perspex (1) calico, thread, acrylic paint, tent pegs (1 + 2) 106 x 166 x 166 cm (1) varying widths and lengths (2)

Early local quarantine history includes details of facility relocation with recycling of timbers. Accomodation, furniture and linen were supplied according to a person’s “class” (1). Quarantine is now a scattered process (2).

Matthew Staples

Sydney / New South Wales

Studied sculpture in the UK and quietly makes sculpture in Sydney.

Observer of the Moon 2009 mild steel, welded together, iron oxide finish.

290 h x 80 w x 130 d cm

$ 6000

The ocean, its surrounds and its inhabitants, are governed by the moon. As observers we can just gaze in wonder.

Vic McEwan & Sarah Moor

Sydney / New South Wales

Both Vic and Sarah run The Cad Factory, a Sydney performance and exhibition space. They are multi-instumentalists playing in various groups and creators of site-specific installation and visual/sound art.

Listen. Now Walk 2009 sounds of the Strand

Your fingers have their own memory, it’s called finger memory. Every bit of everything has various histories. Various histories with many cracks, ready to explore.

This work is an audio walk which takes listeners on a journey along the Strand. To participate download the MP3 file from www.cadfactory.com.au or ask about how to hire a MP3 player with the recording from the Strand Ephemera Information Desk at the Burke St Headland.

Alan Valentine

Townsville / Queensland

Previously acquired practical skills, coupled with design and conceptual abilities developed whilst studying art at Townsville TAFE and James Cook University, has allowed Valentine the freedom and joy to design and create.

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Fishing Trawlers 2009 timber, copper and brass various sizes

NFS

Fatih Semiz

Brighton / Victoria

Fatih completed a degree in Fine Art at Mimar Sinan University in Istanbul. He works with various materials such as stone, wood and metals. Fatih has completed several public commissions and has exhibited in Australia, Turkey and Sweden.

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Ab aeterno 2009

155 x 200 x 90 cm. exterior plywood, Tasmanian Oak veneer and paint $ 13,000

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Jenny Fraser

Darwin / Northern Territory

Jenny Fraser was born in Mareeba, Far North Queensland. Her people originally hailed from Yugambeh Country in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Jenny has completed a Masters of Indigenous Wellbeing at Southern Cross University in Lismore, NSW.

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Dark Day at Sea 2004 video installation

7 minutes

$ 715

Geoff Harvey

Sydney / New South Wales

Lives and works in Sydney. Geoff Harvey has a Masters Degree in Fine Art and has been included in numerous group exhibitions in Australia, England and USA.

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Pierre the French Bulldog 2009, Buster 2006, Rover 2006 Steel

115 x 82 cm, 106 x 106 cm, 90 x 130 cm

$ 4,400 each

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