{studio archive}: Tanks Art Gallery, Cairns

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Tanks Art Gallery, Cairns

THis image is taken outside Tanks Art Gallery, Cairns... looking inside to where my 'Homage to the Seed: In the Wet Tropics' show is ongoing till Nov 4th. The Gallery is open 7 days a week at the moment with three shows currently running. Jacqueline Scotcher and Robyn Glade Wright opened the week after my show and offer alternative rich explorations of the natural world making the combined showing thematically very compatible. Robyn's title Red-listed highlights crucially the story of Biodiversity loss in Far-North Qld.

The image comes from Gallery assistant Nelly Armstrong, who deftly orchestrated the much-commented-upon hanging of the

show, backed up by wonderful trio Karen Thompson, currently an intern, Arian Edmunds also an intern, and the very experienced Tony Castles, Gallery assistant who was onsite to complete the hanging.

Gallery Curator, Chris Stannard was always in the background keeping everything moving in a most inspiring way, ideas man and problem solver that he is... excellent in his many roles. And special mention to Gio Funari, go-to man for practical support during the Residency. This is a superb team and I send them my grateful thanks!

Ive been posting news far more frequently at my Homage to the Seed Facebook Page as I've been waylaid somewhat from the usual blogging routine. However, a

few days ago I wrote this blog post at Visual Eclectica about the return to Brisbane... it explains why things have really slowed!

Its 5.30pm , Saturday and I am sitting outside the State Library of Qld in the cafe watching the rain come down and wondering how to get to my car given I didn't bring an umbrella. Until they close the cafe at 6pm I guess this is an ideal place to sit and type away. There's a fresh breeze blowing and I can just see the river. It's springtime here and the nearby Quandong trees will be loving this rainfall! Its one of my favourite precincts in Brisbane and I am planning to come back early tomorrow to work in one of the quiet nooks on the 3rd floor!

This image was taken for the Tanks Art Centre Facebook Page of the view when you walk inside this fascinating Art Space. I will add further photos as I get them sorted.

Also from the Tanks FB Page:

Also from Tanks FB page:

I had great trouble photographing this one as its 4 metres long and extends around a corner. Glad the Tanks crew took this!

Same source:

From Same source:

And what better place could there be for an exhibition featuring rainforest fruits and seeds than this rainforest surrounds at the Cairns Botanic Gardens where the Tanks Art Centre is located.

Tanks FB Page:

I will find out who took the Photos for the Tanks Facebook page. Perhaps the wonderful Lisa who does promotions. WIll check the source!

More images soon. Closing time at this breezy cafe!
cheers,
S

8 comments:

Lari WashburnOctober 27, 2012 at 9:54 PM
Congratulations Sophie! The show looks wonderful. And the gallery is gorgeous. It is a great feeling when all the focus comes together in a show isn't it?
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Donna HeartOctober 28, 2012 at 12:10 AM
Oh Sophie your art looks absolutely amazing - how I wish I could have been able to see it in real life! I especially love the pieces in the final image - they are stunning! Keep up the great work Sophie, you're such a (plant,seed, everything caring about the environment) warrior!!!
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Velma BolyardOctober 28, 2012 at 7:11 AM
there is grand energy in these pieces, and they look very good installed.
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alittlesomethinOctober 30, 2012 at 3:13 AM
Sophie, it's so much fun to see your stuff hanging on white walls. just beautiful.
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NAVIGATING WEBLINKS:

COLLECTIONS AND COMMISSIONS:

Public Collections:

. Newcastle Community Art Centre

. Maitland Regional Gallery

. John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle

. R.S.L.CARE Fortitude Valley, QLD

. Victoria University Library Collection

. Victoria University Alumni collection

. QEII Hospital, Brisbane

. KEW Gardens Millennium Seedbank, UK

. Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ, QLD

. Cairns Botanic Gardens -Tanks Artist's Residence

Private Collections from 1990 onwards in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, NZ, UK and the U.S.

Commercial commissions to produce Textile designs for Domestic Textile Corporation, Melbourne from early 1997 through to 1999.

Private Commissioned work since 1992 in Australia.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Sophie Munns is currently living in Brisbane, QLD, Australia having relocated from Newcastle, NSW in May 2008, her base for 8 years.

Born in Grafton, Northern NSW, Sophie studied for a B ED (Art) in Newcastle before teaching in various secondary schools on the NSW coast for the following 6 years. A 2 year stint working in London and travelling abroad was the catalyst for Sophie to consider taking her passion for Art further on her return to live in Melbourne.

Comfortably ensconced in leafy Kew, (Melb) Sophie set up a studio from home, 2 years later starting a small design business and within 2 years of that opening a shopfront studio in Collingwood - 'Themata Studio' - effectively an artist-run-space operating as a multi-purpose facility providing classes and workshops for adults, works by commission and a lively cross-roads for conversation and exchange between diverse participants and visitors to the space.

4 years later freelance work and commissioned work was continuing although the shopfront venture closed in 1998 and in 2000 Sophie returned to study painting at Victoria University.

This plan was short-lived when, 4 months into studies, a housefire necessitated changes and relocation to Newcastle ensued. A studio from home was once again established, classes for adults offered, artwork picked up and gradually shifted its focus. Sophie returned to teaching in secondary schools virtually full time, exhibiting work quite frequently, entering art awards and by 2005 showing work in Sydney as well as the Hunter.

After a prize and commendations in the annual Maitland Art Award in 2006 Post Grad study was commenced the following year with a large mid year exhibition of work from 2 solid years painting in the University's student gallery. Unexpected changes, once again, occured at the close of that year due to complications of a medical nature. Uni was left behind and Sophie made the shift to Brisbane and family ties.

Sophie's art practice has continued to evolve and deepen over the past 2 decades through embracing significant changes and challenges with courage and enthusiasm, curiosity and perseverence.

Energy may flag at times and life can interfere with plans but for Sophie there is something perrenially life-giving about continuing to produce artworks and explore ideas. That the unexpected can and does happen is a lesson well learnt...but perhaps the greater lesson is in finding the poetic, the transcendant in all that comes along. And that is worth striving for Sophie believes...always!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Tanks Art Gallery, Cairns

8 comments:

About Me