FOREWORD

As a resident of Townsville, it is exciting for me to see how Strand Ephemera has developed to become celebrated as the North’s Sculpture Festival. This biennial festival on the Strand is delivered in our “winter” - a wonderful time of the year in Townsville. Under clear, brilliant blue skies, with vistas from the Strand across sparkling water to commanding Magnetic Island, Strand Ephemera complements its setting with art alfresco to nourish our cultural being.

Strand Ephemera 2017 hosts the talents of local, national and international artists and performers. This year we have 25 competitive entries vying for the major $10,000 Award for Artistic Excellence while 6 artworks have been invited as non-competitive entries for your enjoyment.

One of these is CLOUD by Canadian artists, Caitlind r.c. Brown and Wayne Garrett. CLOUD is an interactive sculpture that uses social interplay to animate 6000 incandescent light bulbs creating a superb night time art experience.

Scott Wade from the United States, provides us with Dirty Car Art on the foreshore transforming unsightly car wrecks into things of beauty and changing our perception of the ordinary. In addition to the international artists present, we have included three works by nationally recognised artists, Robbie Rowlands, Dancenorth and Daniel Wallwork, as well as The Strand Ephemera Schools Project by local school students.

Along with Strand Ephemera you might like to visit Townsville’s first Pop Up North Queensland festival in the CBD which activates vacant spaces through visual art, performance and workshops. You are also invited to participate in a Public Art Symposium on 31 July at Dancenorth School of Arts Building on the corner of Walker and Stanley Streets in the city. This is a free event covering topics of public art, urbanisation and education by experts and professional artists. Don’t forget Fringe Ephemera at the Village on 30 July, showcasing sculptures by national and local artists in an exciting residential setting. I encourage you to attend and enjoy these events. I thank the organisations involved for their enthusiasm in contributing to the cultural life of Townsville.

Finally I would like to thank all of our sponsors, particularly our Major Sponsor Glencore, for thier generous support and to our volunteers and the artists who have participated in Strand Ephemera since its beginning, thank you for your creativity and commitment to developing the festival into what it is today. I would like to acknowledge other sections of council for their assistance in making Strand Ephemera 2017 successful. The gallery team deserves special recognition for a job well done, you have achieved an amazing exhibition and are to be commended.

Strand Ephemera 2017 is both thought provoking as well as stunning. Enjoy!

Dr Judith Jensen Acting Team Manager Galleries and Libraries

image: The public enjoying the popular Artist's Tour of Strand Ephemera, 2015