Gunter Kairies - From the Outback to the Rainforest, art exhibition opens 19 June 2015 Broken Hill Art Exchange

The man himself - Gunter Kairies
pictured working at the
Broken Hill Art Exchange

Art Scene
The title says it all. Tomorrow night at Broken Hill Art Exchange, South Broken Hill, an art exhibition by Gunter Kairies will open.

Broken Hill identity, Bob Groves, the president of the Willyama Art Society will open the exhibition.

Where
Studio 3 Art Gallery 145-157 Duff Street, South Broken Hill

Time - 6pm, 19 June 2015

Gallery hours 10am - 4pm

Examples of Gunter Kairies work from the exhibition

Gunter Kairies watercolours, ink, pastels and oils will feature in the colourful exhibition where the colours of the outback will reign supreme.

Why not pop down to support this event at Broken Hill's funky Art Exchange.

Sounds like a fun night and worth supporting. Wish I could be there.

I hope it goes well.

Cheers, Jane Deany

Willyama Art Society Exhibition 7-27 October at Town Hall Facade

Town Hall Facade Broken Hill

Art Scene
Don't miss the new October 2013 art exhibition of the long established Willyama Art Society.

This talented group of local artists, led by long standing president Bob Groves, will open yet another exhibition this Monday morning at the attractive Town Hall Facade space in Argent Street.

From the work I've seen I am sure there will be something to appeal to all tastes.

Some of the artworks at the Town Hall Facade

There are around 70 artworks by 27 artists and all works are for sale. Prices range from $60 to $520.

The official opening is Monday 7 October at 10am.

Dates:     7 - 27 October 2013

Time:     10am - 4pm daily

Address: 256 Argent Street, Broken Hill

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery to open multiple exhibitions tonight

Bob Groves WAS President with Sam Byrne painting
'Cecilia Resists Arrest, Unusual Transport of Broken Hill'

Art Scene
The Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery will again play host to another impressive joint exhibition which opens later today at 6.30pm at the gallery at (all welcome) - 

404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill NSW 2880

Hours 10-5 M-F and 10-4 S/S

Entry by gold coin donation

Yesterday I took a sneak preview with the President of the Willyama Art Society (WAS) President Bob Groves who will open the WAS's 52nd annual art exhibition on Friday night. The exhibition features a range of paintings and drawings created by the group's talented members. I was impressed with the works and felt quite tempted to buy a few of them myself.

Two other exhibitions are opening on the night. Hyperclay: Contemporary Australian Ceramics, An Object: Australian Design Centre (touring) Exhibition, will be opened by the Gallery Manager Cathy Farry. The elaborate Hyperclay exhibition profiles eight artists at various stages in their careers whose current practice is taking ceramics into bold new territories.

Hyperclay features the work of Walter Auer, Roderick Bamford, Stephen Bird, Jacqueline Clayton, Andrea Hylands, Addison Marshall, Pip McManus and Paul Wood. This exhibition was still being installed whilst I was there so I didn't get to see it in it's entirety as it is a very intricately created exhibition. A collection of over 30 short videos have been produced to accompany the exhibition, ranging from artists interviews to curators, academics, collectors and gallerists, commenting on why they find a particular artist so exciting, through to ceramic students expressing what inspires them about the work in the show.

Local high profile artist Sam Byrne's (now deceased) work will be show-cased in a 'Works from the collection - the Art of Sam Byrne' exhibition.

The other exhibition 'Changing Lives' will be opened by well known local artist Badger Bates.

Each exhibition runs from 8 February to 24 March (except the 'Changing Lives' exhibition which will finish on 17 March.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

A conversation with Broken Hill local artist Robert (Bob) Groves

Artist Profile (Art Scene)
On the eve of the first anniversary of my www.ilovebrokenhill.com blog, it is time to at last write an artist profile.  I have been pondering which artist to begin with in this, what I hope will be a regular segment going forward.  There are just so many artists in Broken Hill as I've mentioned many times already.  Many have their own gallery to showcase their work.  I have met quite a number of the artists over the years and they have all been friendly and welcoming to me.  In some cases I've just spoken to them on the phone which is how I initially came across Robert (Bob) Groves.

Bob Groves with one of
his cartoons

I was delighted to meet local Broken Hill artist Bob Groves at his home recently.  I had been in touch with Bob in regards to the Willyama Art Society's (WAS) 51st annual art exhibition in September (see that post here).  He is the president of WAS and has been for nearly 20 years which is quite an achievement in itself.

Bob was born in Broken Hill in 1944, and in quite a familiar tale in the city, Bob worked in the mines for a time.  He in fact took about 28 years in the mines before deciding that not only was he not keen on working underground, he also didn't feel he had the "dedication" to work in mining either.  In his case working in the mines had been a family tradition with his three uncles and grandfather also working in the mines.

Bob, who is now almost unrecognisable without his trademark red beret, developed an early interest in and fondness for drawing cartoons as he was growing up.  He found many interesting subjects to draw from his life underground, meeting many lively and funny characters whom he couldn't help but depict in cartoon form.  He now has thousands of his cartoons which he would like to display somehow and in the process raise some money for a charity.

"Bush Walk" by Bob Groves

He showed my some of his work and it is most impressive.  Not all of his work is in cartoon form either.  He also paints in more traditional styles as you can see in the image I have included called "Bush Walk".

Over the years he has enjoyed spending time conducting drawing classes for both children and adults and is quite involved with WAS as the president.

If you would like to join WAS or find out more, there is a postal address for all enquiries - Willyama Art Society, PO Box 48, Broken Hill NSW 2880.  New members are very welcome.  There are about 18 established and budding artists of all ages in the group.

I had only a brief meeting but it was a pleasure and a delight to talk with Bob about his obvious passion for cartooning, painting, art and his love of Broken Hill his home.

Cheers, Jane D

Willyama Art Society 51st Annual Exhibition @ Demo Club Broken Hill



Robyn Taylor, winner senior prize
"A Westerly Perspective", courtesy WAS

Art Scene

Once again the Willyama Art Society (WAS) is holding their annual art exhibition.  Their first exhibition was in 1961, so this is their 51^st exhibition.  This year they are dedicating it to long time WAS member Mrs Joyce Condon who died earlier this month aged 95.  The exhibition has been named “The Joyce Condon Memorial Exhibition”.  There are over 50 paintings by 18 established and budding artists including Jenny Cattonar, John Gregory and Mick Andrich.

"The Tulip Virus" winning entry -
Junior Art Prize by
Meena Nachiappan, courtesy WAS

Prizes were awarded in two categories with the Senior Art Prize going to Robyn Taylor with her acrylic “A Western Perspective” (pictured).  The Junior Art Prize was awarded to Meena Nachiappan for her pen drawing “The Tulip Virus”, also pictured.

The works are for sale and span a variety of mediums from pastels to watercolours.  Prizes were also awarded on the opening night last Friday 21^st September and Mrs Condon’s son Len Condon officially opened the exhibition on that night.  The Society is open to both adults and children and new members are very welcome.

"Bush Walk" courtesy of the artist Bob Groves

Bob Groves,
President
Willyama Art Society

Dates:        21 September – 7 October 2012

Venue:       The Barrier Social Democratic Club (Demo Club)
Function Room

                   218 Argent Street, Broken Hill

Hours:       10am till 4pm daily

The current, longstanding (19 years) WAS President Bob Groves said Mrs Condon was a Broken Hill arts pioneer as well as a life and founding member of the Society.  After teaching art at TAFE for 15 years she opened her own gallery which was a first for Broken Hill.

If you would like to join the Willyama Art Society or find out more, there is a postal address for all enquiries -
Willyama Art Society, PO Box 48, Broken Hill NSW 2880.

Enjoy.

Cheers, Jane D