Artists share Gippsland

The talents of 15 award-winning Gippsland artists will be on display in Melbourne from December to March.

The exhibition of oils, acrylics, pastels, sumi inks, collages, mixed media and watercolours will capture the wonders of Gippsland at Media House Gallery.

The gallery is located at “The Age” headquarters in Collins Street, Melbourne.

Locals joining the “Gippsland Artists II” exhibition are Warragul’s Judy Mackintosh and Anita George, Darnum’s Lynne Bickhoff, Longwarry’s Laurel Foenander and Drouin’s Geoff Harrison.

Exhibition manager/curator Jacqueline Taylor said Gippsland Artists II was an exhibition to stimulate and surprise.

“It entices viewers to visit this delightful part of Victoria, to experience first-hand its beauty and to seek out the wealth of artists working in the area through their Open Studios program,” said Ms Taylor.

Judy Mackintosh said “healthy landscapes and beautiful country make Gippsland any artist’s canvas”. Judy’s paintings are regularly accepted into the Hidden Faces of the Archibald.

Anita George uses sumi inks and acrylics to create her works. With 20 years of calligraphy behind her, she knows the form of the nib and now enjoys the freedom of movement, bound only by her imagination.

Lynne Bickhoff utilises her emotional response to the landscape in an almost abstract way to paint an interpretive view of the subject.

Nature is also Laurel Foenander’s inspiration, with an emphasis on water, the ever-changing sky and the birds who fly there.

Painting in the studio and being geographically removed from a scene allows Geoff Harrison to impose his own deliberation and imagination his work.

Other Gippsland artists featured include David Aldridge of Yinnar South, Sue Coppock of Kilmany, Rhonda Gray of Bairnsdale, Justin Holt of Woodside, Cherry Manders of Warrandyte, Glenys Mann of Traralgon, Bob Pelchen of Morwell, Elisabeth Williams of Stratford and Libby Witchell of Traralgon.

Exhibition “Gippsland Artists II” will be held at Media House Gallery at The Age building at 655 Collins Street, Melbourne.

It is open to the public on weekdays between 7am and 7pm from Monday, December 11 to Thursday, March 1. Admission is free.