EXHIBITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ART

Celebrating the natural environment of the Melton Region

Melton Visitor Information Centre         8 – 28 February 2014

Presented by:   Pinkerton Landcare & Environment Group

During the month of February 2014 Pinkerton Landcare and Environment Group held its inaugural Exhibition of Environmental Art.

The exhibition was a celebration of the natural environment of the Melton region, featuring a depiction of Melton’s local wildlife, wildflowers, scenes and nature in all sizes shapes and forms; including local landscapes: Grasslands, Grassy Woodlands, escarpments, gorges, volcanoes etc. The exhibition consisted of paintings, drawings, collage and photographs.

Artists represented included Judy Allen, Florence Roche, Veronica Schwartz, Peter Gregory, with artworks also submitted by junior artists Alexandra Newman (aged 12) and Thomas Sell (aged 6).

Judy Allen submitted photos taken in Pinkerton Forest during a day of torrential rain. Our woodlands are usually seen in dry conditions, especially during our recent record-breaking drought. Her photos of this landscape eerily enshrouded in mist give a unique perspective of this woodland that is usually so dry and familiar.

Florence Roche submitted a coloured drawing ‘Scarlet Robin’ and a painting ‘Eucalyptus macrocornuta’. The Scarlet Robin showed the detailed, soft and fluffy plumage of the tiny bird with the branch upon which it perched also depicted in a richness of colour and textures. Her ‘Eucalyptus macrocornuta’ depicted this eucalypt blossom in intense detail.

Veronica Schwartz submitted two watercolours ‘Aireys Inlet Burnoff’ depicting the aftermath of burning off in the bush and ‘Gold’ showing a sprig of Guinea Flowers. Her ‘Aireys Inlet Burnoff’ dramatically depicts the stark aftermath of bush that has just burnt, with blackened trunks, ash covered ground and the smoky haze that has been all too familiar in recent weeks in the February fires. Her ‘Gold’ illustrates the beauty of a Guinea Flower, with the bright gold of the flower petals contrasting with the sparse foliage.

Peter Gregory submitted a photo of a ‘Rose Robin’ as it perched on a branch. The robin looked almost close enough to touch, with its finely detailed plumage, delicately coloured rose breast and its bright shining eye.

Sue Petch submitted a collage ‘Birds Nest with Feathers on hand crafted paper’. This features a tiny and fragile nest, possibly that of a honeyeater, that had blown on to the ground. It is surrounded by what appear to be the orange-coloured breast feathers of the Rainbow Lorikeet combined with the rose-coloured breast feathers that appear to be that of the Galah, interspersed with the secondary flight feathers of a Rainbow Lorikeet and another birds. This was placed onto a rose-coloured hand crafted paper background with a pattern of leaves. This artwork depicting the colours, patterns and textures of an Australian garden.

There were also two artworks submitted by local children. Alexandra Newman’s drawing of an owl shows a finely drawn Barn Owl in front of the stark branches of a tree in the pale moonlight. Thomas Sells texta drawing of a Superb Lyrebid amply illustrates both a love of birds and a love of bold colours, as well as an enthusiasm to paint.

The art exhibition was held at the Melton Visitor Information Centre and was part of the Sustainable Living Festival, Australia's largest and oldest sustainability festival.

As well as the artworks submitted by the artists to be judged for awards, there was also an extension display of photographs demonstrating the wide diversity of wildlife, vegetation, wildflowers, trees and landscapes to be found both in and around Melton. These included photos of local snakes, insects, lizards, frogs, birds, vegetation, stone tools, river gorges etc.

There was a magnificent set of local wildflower photos taken by local photographer Nora Peters.

The artworks were judged by leading botanical illustrator Dolores Skowronski –Malloni.

Dolores has studied art in Argentina and Australia and currently teaches at the Geelong Botanical Gardens, organised by the Friends of Geelong Botanical Gardens. Three of Dolores' original works are held in the State Botanical Collection at the National Herbarium of Victoria. Original paintings are in private collections in Australia and overseas.  Dolores was awarded Gold and Silver Medals from the Royal Horticultural Society, London.  Dolores was commissioned by Wyndham City Council to produce a calendar of Australian plants, Christmas cards and prints of Australian trees.

Examples of Dolores’ work can be viewed on:
http://www.botanicalartsocietyaustralia.com/Dolores%20Skowronski-Malloni.htm; and
http://www.drawnnature.com/dolores-skowronski-malloni.html;

First Prize was awarded to Judy Allen for her photograph ‘Pinkerton Forest in the Mist’. Judy received a four day Botanical Art Beginner Workshop (valued at $350).

Dolores also decided to award a Highly Recommended award to Florence Roche for her drawing of a Scarlet Robin.

Judy and Florence each received a commemorative glass plaque, by Wathaurong Glass. 

There was also a Peoples’ Choice award, judged by visitors to the exhibition over the month of February. The popular choice for this award was also Florence Roche. However, there was a close race between Florence Roche and Veronica Schwartz, with only one vote separating them!

It was also decided to award Junior Encouragement awards to the two children who submitted artworks. They were awarded to Thomas Sell (aged 6) for his texta drawing of a Superb Lyrebird and to Alexandra Newman (aged 12) for her drawing of an Owl.

On Wednesday 6th February Pinkerton Landcare and Environment Group hosted an awards ceremony at the Melton Visitor Information Centre. Awards were presented to the prize winners by Melton Mayor Cr Bob Turner.

This inaugural exhibition was not a large one, but has been acknowledged as a success, especially as this was PLEG’s first venture into an entirely unfamiliar field. Hopefully this will help showcase the talents of local environmental artists, as well as displaying the wide diversity of Melton’s natural environment, including some of our magnificent birdlife and other native wildlife. The Melton Visitor Centre proved an excellent venue due to its position in the middle or town, and having the Information Centre Volunteers on hand during the day.

Many thanks to

City of Melton
Sustainable Living Festival
Western Water
Fiona Halse (Melton Visitor Centre Support Officer)
Information Centre Volunteers
Bob Turner (Melton Mayor)