Forty-Degrees-South
Mary Pulford
exhibition opening night : Thursday 5th May, 5.30-7.30pm
exhibition opening speaker :
exhibition dates - 5th - 28th May 2016
This first solo exhibition from Mary Pulford was created in response to a residency at Mountain Seas Arts on Flinders Island.
Inspired by the remote and isolated environment, Mary invites you to enjoy a range of gorgeous creations, including printmaking, ceramics and painting
Mountain Seas Retreat, Flinders Island: Artist in Residence.
Mountain Seas Retreat is located near Trousers Point, on the south western corner of Flinders Island. With the Strzelecki National Park almost in the back yard, sandy beaches and rugged coastal areas within easy walking distance, it looked to be an ideal place to immerse myself in the natural environment and concentrate on my art practice. I applied for the minimum stay of two week and was delighted to be accepted.
In late September, I flew Adelaide to Melbourne, and then the adventure started, with a flight on a small plane from Essendon to Whitemark. I was collected from the airport, by Annie Wilkins, and had an orientation of Whitemark, gravel roads, Trousers Point Beach, the studio, the facilities of the retreat, and the amazing scenery (eyes on the road, while you are driving!)
I quickly started to immerse myself in this isolated community, acquainting myself with the large numbers of wildlife. I nearly tripped over a tiger snake on the first afternoon, but the more common animals were wallabies, wombats and pademelons. There is a huge variety of birdlife – see if you can spot a white-bellied sea eagle; and take time to examine the plant life. I took opportunities to explore both the variety of landscapes and the history of this beautiful and remote island.
Mountain Seas Retreat has an Arts Studio – no printing press at this stage for printmakers, so hand burnishing is an option. There are many opportunities to draw/paint or photograph this wilderness environment.
Part of the residency requires that the artist give something back to the Island community. I offered both a linocut demonstration and an introduction to watercolour techniques, for Islanders to attend. I was also able to display some of my prints in the Mountain Seas Retreat gallery. Residencies are generally offered between April and October each year, with full details and application forms available at www.mountainseas.com.au
I would like to thank Lila and David Tresemer for offering an Artist In Residence programme at Mountain Seas Retreat, Artists Coordinator Youdit Deane, and in particular, Manager Annie Wilkins for her helpfulness, good humour, tourism advice and being a ‘Mother Hen.’
The artwork created from this residency will be exhibited in my first solo exhibition Forty•Degrees•South which will be held at Urban Cow Studio, 11 Frome Street, Adelaide from 5th to 28th May 2016.
Mary Pulford.
