Local Creatives

Larger Than Life

Marion Conrow

Marion ConrowWe love that the Kyogle region is home to such a vaste range of creative talents from a wide variety of disciplines. Recently, KCM had the pleasure of meeting Bonalbo based artist, Marion Conrow, whose passion for projection, installation and sculpture makes her work quite literally ‘larger than life’.

So nice to get the chance to talk about your art Marion. You have a very multidisciplinary approach - can you tell us a bit about what you create and why?

I have just always had the drive to create since a child. I sustained a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in 2007 from a car accident, .. so now even more I find my mind is constantly inventing things and observing. I always have too many ideas! My arts practice is quiet complex and varied. I love making large scale ethereal works that can evoke a feeling or atmosphere. To me, art is about communicating in ways apart from words. This has lead me to create projection sculptures that appear holographic and are interactive. I love lush colours, objects, people, nature and buildings!

Marion's projection art

Supplied by artist

Can you tell us first about your connection to the local area?

Well, I’ve been living in the Northern Rivers since 1988. I am based in Bonalbo, which has such picturesque beauty; huge hoop pines with rustic views, a sense of peace, and it’s quiet. It’s a place where I can think. My Bonalbo studio is a dream. It’s huge - my work is usually large scale installations and sculptures - so now I have space to do big things. Works made here have gone to Falls Festival, and recently shown in international selections in Canberra and Sydney. It’s often seen by hundreds and thousands of people at festivals, though not many people know who I am as I tend to hide out a little! There is a great circle of artists here and we can ‘feed into each other’ culturally. We are also fortunate that Bonalbo has an arts alliance BAA, and the Roxy Gallery in Kyogle is an amazing exhibition space. You had a car accident and survived brain injury - how did this experience change the way that you create and express yourself? This is a huge question. My life totally stopped and changed. It was incredibly difficult; I lost most of my friends and became quite isolated. Even now I only have small windows where I can be with people. Creating was arduous, what I took for granted now had to be painstakingly broken down into baby steps. What is good is that I now have a new set of tools to see the world with. To have a disability that is invisible, gives you more empathy and understanding. There are things you just can’t really understand until you are there. I’m learning slowly to do advocacy having taken a place on the Accessible Arts lived experience panel so that is also new and interesting.

Can you tell us about what ou are currently working on?

Here in Bonalbo, I have a photo/film studio and sculpture studio set up, allowing my hybrid work to be made. Having this peaceful creative space is so essential to me. My ability to block out noise, to concentrate and create is hindered significantly, it takes me 10-20 times as long to do things and only in windows where I am functional. Currently, I am working on my new project Museum Of My Friends #2 “Artists with Disability in Response to COVID19”. I was shocked at how disability — along with age — is often swept aside, yet during COVID the world stopped to protect us? The arts were also neglected. I am fortunate that I was awarded funding from Create NSW and Australia Council for the Arts to pursue this idea. Museum of My Friends#2 will be shown at a solo show at Belconnen Arts Centre in Canberra in November this year. It is interactive and will be on huge multi-screens and in Immersive Virtual Reality format with goggles. This is a new medium so there is lots to learn!

You have so many awards and career acknowledgments - what would you consider to be the highlight of your art career so far?

My highlight is receiving an Australia Council for the Arts grant to work with Urban Arts Projects. For this I got to work alongside my mentor Suzon Fuks to create an interactive screen sculpture for my last project - Museum of My Friends #1. I had received other acknowledgements before, but I felt that finally people looked at me and my work with respect!

Christmas projections on Bonalbo Hall.

Artist supplied

To see more of Marion’s work (and to experience her projections with movement and light) go to www.marionconrow.com Left page: Marion’s projection work, and outside her exhibition ‘Museum of My Friends’.

Northern Rivers Creative

Showcasing regional artists to global audiences, the Northern Rivers Creative Directory is connecting the region’s thriving creatives with new clients and opportunities. The Directory includes; creative services, visual arts, design, indigenous arts, literature music, performance and screen. Local artists — like Jane Heard-Crombie and Jenny Kitchener — are encouraged to apply at northernriverscreative.com.au

Jane Heard-Crombie

Shaped by a childhood surrounded by art, Jane paints energetic landscapes inspired by her surroundings in the blooming nature of the Northern Rivers. “My art comes through me, and takes on a mind of it’s own”. Image: Jane Heard-Crombie ’Someone Said Spring’

Jenny Kitchener

Working predominantly with print media, Jenny’s artwork is underpinned by a fascination and respect for the diverse beauty and complex relationships inherent in the natural world. She often uses the process of collage to build up complex and intricate images which interweave personal stories with universal themes. The use of metaphor and symbols has become an integral part of her work. Jenny Kitchener ‘Honeyeater’ (2018), Linocut, Collage.

Wood By Mossy

HANDCRAFTED TIMBER CREATIONS THAT DON’T COST THE EARTH

Caz and Wayne Moss - Wood by Mossy

Image by Paul Daley

Wood by Mossy is a small wood-turning business situated in Cawongla (around 15 minsutes from Kyogle) that focuses on sustainability and testing the boundaries of what can be created from locally-sourced, reclaimed timber. It offers a varied collection of Australian hand-crafted timber homeware products and accessories. Owners, Wayne and Caz Moss share a love of wood-turning and a passion to design beautiful, eco-friendly, functional products that are individual, not to mention 100 percent sustainable. Wood by Mossy specialises in unique designs such as end-grain chopping boards, salt and pepper grinders, wooden platters and natural timber bowls, as well as a range of artisan items such as rustic wooden ring boxes, candle holders and yarn bowls. Wood by Mossy also offers individual woodwork classes, antique restoration and custom designed commission pieces. A range of items are available on their website. To find out more, please get in contact with them directly.

Image supplied by artist

CONTACT: woodbymossy@gmail.com Cawongla Studio www.woodbymossy.com.au woodbymossy

Image by Paul Daley

Clay Corner

Image by Jasmine Phillips

Clay Corner is a new Kyogle shop with a vision of providing eco & sustainable handmade creative products by small Australian businesses and artists. Owner, Wendy Cain, has gathered together a beautiful range of local goodies from a selection of Australia’s boutique designers and family-owned businesses. “It’s really important to me that we personally know the small businesses and craftspeople that make the products we have in store,” Wendy explains. Wendy’s own ceramic products are flying off the shelves, along with pottery from four other talented ceramicists. “After I close the shop I go straight home and make more stock!”. You’ll also find locally-crafted wooden platters, jewellery, home-wares, skin and body care products, candles, gifts, and beautiful stationary and cards for every occasion.

Image by Jasmine Phillips

VISIT US: 1/131 Summerland Way (Corner of Stratheden Street), Kyogle 0401 165 670 ClayCornerKyogle

Image by Jasmine Phillips

The Leather Shop Kyogle

The Leather Shop Kyogle stocks handmade leather goods made in-store including, belts, bags, sheaths and more. We also offer a large range of ethically sourced furs and cow rugs, both local and international. Visit Mario and Sonja to see their leatherwork, as well as work by their represented craftspeople including Ulf the Blacksmith, Mohd the Horn Carver, Stephen the Knife Maker, and Kelly the Whipmaker.

VISIT 0403 598 105 47 Summerland Way, Kyogle www.theleathershopkyogle.com OPEN: Thursday to Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 2pm

Cafe Mantra Music

SERVING PEACE IN EVERY SONG Jo’s beautiful soothing voice takes you on a mystical journey into deep peace. Her unique blend of Vedic mantra, tranquil sounds and hypnotic rhythms paced at the resting heart rate of 60 bpm, infuses you with nourishing vibrations. To give your mind and nervous system profound rest, all you need do is listen.

CDS | DOWNLOADS | EVENTS www.cafemantramusic.com

Nardoo Designs

WEARABLE LEATHER GOODS

Diana Keen is the leatherworker behind Nardoo Designs. She creates a range of leather items including belts, purses, cuffs, covered diaries and note books from her Woodenbong studio. “My love of leather began on my parent’s cattle station, where I polished and mended our riding gear. I have taught and attended workshops, and am currently making bespoke carved belts, beaded cuffs and covered art diaries.” Catch up with Diana at the Woodenbong Yowie Markets or give her a call for workshop bookings.

FOR CUSTOM ORDERS 02 6635 1419 / 0439 969 402 diana.keen1505@bigpond.com NardooDesigns

Flower Affection

Image by Saskia Flynn

FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS Your local florist for every occasion, Flower Affection is a family-owned business situated in the beautiful township of Kyogle. Owner Deb, along with her son Jack, take great pride in providing quality flowers for all occasions. They also stock indoor plants, local hand made gifts, beautiful cards, candles and oils and pride themselves on stunning flower arrangements for any occasion.

The Occasional Studio

Image supplied by artist

ART CLASSES AND COMMISSIONS The Occasional Studio is the art space for local artist Rebecca Tapscott. She creates imagery based on our environment, through a variety of mediums, although predominately cyanotype prints and paintings drawn from a single line. The Occasion Studio is also a workshop for the occasional continuous line drawing class, and the hub for Rebecca’s bespoke fire drums, community murals and quirky collectables. Commissions welcome!

CONTACT 0411 840 616 41 Summerland Way, Kyogle The Occasional Studio rebeccatapscottartist

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Image by Jodie Harris

Photos By Jodie is a professionally trained and accredited photographer working across the Northern Rivers. Based in Kyogle, Jodie works with local business, councils, NGOs, artists, and entrepreneurs to creatively tell your brand story, while creating innovative and fresh content for your online needs. A leader in the Wedding and Events industry, Photos By Jodie teams up with brides-tobe both locally and interstate to create that perfect rural wedding. Photos By Jodie is 100% First Nations owned and operated.

CONTACT 0415 196 867 www.photosbyjodie.com.au hellophotosbyjodie@gmail.com @hellophotosbyjodie

Roseleigh & Reid

WEDDING AND EVENT HIRE

Roseleigh & Reid is a family-run business specialising in modern rustic furniture and prop hire. Christine and Cameron Reid, a husband and wife duo have been in operation for 3 years. Together they design and create unique pieces; perfect to bring your dream wedding or gathering to reality. We can help create the ideal space with our aluminium-framed white marquee or our ever-popular clear marquee for those who wish to dine under the stars. We have a variety of chairs to suit your style, including the highly sought-after timber cross-back chairs, timber trestle tables, slab tables, wine barrels, greenery walls, neon signs, festoon lighting, bars, drink carts, arbors, and many other items, which can be viewed on our website. All our items are available for DIY set up, or let us take the stress away by providing part or full set-ups. CONTACT 0466 699 531 www.roseleighandreid.com RoseleighandReid

Arcoora

ARTS & ECOLOGY TRAINING GROUND

Arcoora, located at Collins Creek within the Kyogle LGA, participates in projects that are reweaving healthy systems into our bioregion. We offer experiential training and community outreach initiatives to support capacity building in regenerative agroecology, ecosystem restoration, and cultural regeneration. Arcoora participates in local and global networks that inform and inspire their work, providing channels for storytelling and skill sharing. Arcoora will host our first official ecosystem restoration camp in 2021, our commitment to participating in a global standard and leading edge of ecosystem restoration. Arcoora offers training programs throughout the year in Successional Agro-ecology, Bushcraft and ‘Rewilding’, Embodiment and Healing Practices, and Collaborative Leadership. We share our home at the former Vajradhara Gonpa with an intention to maintain a connection with cross-cultural spiritual and art practices. We partner with organisations that facilitate Rites of Passage, Meditation retreats and teaching, Conscious dance and art retreats, yoga, and more. For further information, dates, and bookings go to our website www.arcoora.org

WHAT’S UP FOR 2021?

In 2021 we are proud to announce Arcoora as an Ecosystem Restoration Camp (Ecosystemrestorationcamps.org) and a member for the Design Institute for Regenerating Earth. In 2019 Arcoora partnered with Kyogle Together to reclaim valuable objects through the ‘Kyogle Resource Innovation Collective’ where we are re-imagining waste as treasure and providing access to affordable materials for our community. Arcoora is working to establish a food hub in the Kyogle LGA to support local food producers and consumers.

LOCAL WRITER FEATURE LINDA WOODROW

Image by Saskia Flynn

Can you imagine a Northern Rivers plunged into chaos by soaring temperatures, rising tides and violent storms? Local author Linda Woodrow has explored the themes of human survival and climate change in her climate-fiction novel 470. Kyogle Culture chatted with her about the ideas behind the book.

The title of the book is intriguing in itself — can you tell us about the significance of 470, and why you chose it as the title?

"It’s based on imagining what life might be like in a decade’s time, in a climate-changed future, not in a preachy way, but just putting characters in that situation and imagining what they would do with what life throws at them. I can’t imagine carbon dioxide levels peaking at anything less than 470 ppm, so it’s a story of life in that kind of world. The local region features strongly in the book. What is it like imagining a future for the places you love? Some parts of the future that climate change will bring are heartbreaking. The wildlife, the forests, the agriculture, the ocean will all be different from the ones I fell in love with in the 1980s. They are already different, but the future changes are likely to be much more confronting. Some of the characters remember and grieve for what is lost. But the Northern Rivers is one of the best places in the world to be, both physically and culturally, and along with grief, there’s hope."

What is your connection with Kyogle and the Northern Rivers? I

"I moved to Kyogle in 1983 as a young mum, as one of the founding members of Black Horse Creek Community. Our kids grew up here and it’s where I call ‘home’. If you could impart one single message to the younger generation, what would it be? There are characters in 470 who are in their teens and early twenties now. The things that stand them in good stead in the 2030s are the kind of things that are common in young people growing up in this town. There is a certain independence and resilience, practicality, and a strong sense of community responsibility. They have skills that are valuable in any economy. They’re realists."

What will you be working on in 2021. Any more fiction on the horizon?

"Many people have asked me for a sequel. It is hard when you get to know and love characters, to let go of them. You want to know what happens next in their lives. It’s even harder for an author! If the curiosity gets too much for me, I’ll have to write it."

Image supplied