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Art unites four generations

FOLLOWING the success of their joint exhibitions in 2013 and 2014, Meeniyan artist Leslie Monahan and her father, Bermagui artist Bill Shaw are currently presenting Rustica, an exhibition of metal sculptures, metal jewellery and photography, at the Meeniyan Art Gallery.
Rustica combines their joint passion for metalwork and recycled materials, and Leslie’s unique photographic style, to create a complimentary and contemporary exhibition.
The theme of the exhibition relates to rust, the nemesis of metal. Yet as is shown in this exhibition, rust can take on many cloaks of intrigue, texture and colour.
And as Rustica will be held in the year of the Anzac Centenary, one of Leslie’s sculptures is appropriately dedicated to her great grandfather, and Bill’s grandfather, Fred Falcke, who fought in World War One. As such, four generations will be united through art.
“I keep reading the postcards that my great grandfather sent back to his daughter, who is my Nan and dad’s mum’,” Leslie said.
“I get so emotional yet my great grandfather wrote so affectionately and given his situation so caringly and lovingly as if the war did not exist”.
Bill, who often makes sculptures using recycled horseshoes, has prepared a sculpture that pays homage to the more than 130,000 Australian horses that were sent overseas to support Australia’s World War One effort.
The Walers, as they were known, were often the backbone of Australia’s war efforts yet only one returned.
“I’ve always liked horses and especially the roles they have played in everyday life,” Bill said.
“I worked with them when I did milk runs and bread runs back in the fifties.
“You get to know the horses and they know you, and you become like mates. “It must have been painful for the diggers to say goodbye to the horses that had faced adversity with them.”
The other sculptures, photographs and jewellery in the exhibition are based on the theme of places and objects united in art.
For her photographs, Leslie has combined rusted metal items, discarded in the 1950s in South Australia, with colour and form from the present, thus uniting both physically and temporarily people, places and objects.
Bill has taken his cue from the animals, birds and aquatic life on the south coast of NSW where he lives.
In a first at the Meeniyan Art Gallery, the official opening of Rustica on Sunday, January 4 was held jointly with the opening of Melbourne artist Sally Darlison’s exhibition, Fragments of a Journey.
A sizeable yet happy and relaxed crowd thus ensued with people coming from all over South Gippsland and also many from Melbourne.
Gallery curator Glenys Mann welcomed everyone, then Leslie’s husband Gary Monahan spoke on behalf of herself and her father.
Gary said it was fantastic that a father and daughter could share the same artistic journey together.
He pointed out they are both creative and it was obvious the apple did not fall far from the tree.
Gary read a short thank you note from Bill, who was unable to attend. Bill has been a regular visitor to Meeniyan in recent years and is well known by many in the local arts community.
Gary then gave special praise to the volunteers, committee and curator at the gallery, and emphasised the important role that the Meeniyan Art Gallery performs for the local community and especially aspiring artists.
Sally Darlison explained the background story behind her works that are related to her travels and the way she remembers them through her art. Curator Glenys Mann officially opened the exhibitions. Both Rustica and Fragments of a Journey will run until January 28 at the Meeniyan Art Gallery.

All smiles:  Rhona Bowler (left) of Meeniyan, artist Leslie Monahan and Jeanne Hughes (right) from Melbourne were enjoying the art and the festive occasion at the opening of Rustica.

All smiles: Rhona Bowler (left) of Meeniyan, artist Leslie Monahan and Jeanne Hughes (right) from Melbourne were enjoying the art and the festive occasion at the opening of Rustica.

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Posted by on Jan 20 2015. Filed under Arts & Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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