Gecko Studio Gallery Newsletter December 2017 - January 2018 1 Prom Paintings - Gecko Studio Gallery Fish Creek artist Linda Gibbs has spent the past 10 years surveying the ever changing patterns and colours of Wilsons Promontory. This exhibition reveals large scale, pared back oil paintings reflecting the essence of The Prom. Linda won the Best Gippsland Prize at the prestigious John Leslie Art Prize at the Gippsland Gallery last year. She is part of the gallery’s collection and as curator Simon Gregg describes - “She paints with the soul of a poet and the eyes of a realist, to produce paintings that are recognisably Gippsland, while feeling distant and ethereal.” Artist statement... “My practice begins with traditional en plein air (field) painting. Immersed in the elements, my palette races to keep pace with wild weather, subtle colour shifts and ever changing atmospheres. The studies capture the spirit of the place and facilitate an intense knowledge of the environment, from miniscule mosses to majestic mountains. I am currently surveying Wilsons Promontory where nature's harmonious palette does most of the work for me. I find unexpected relationships of pinks, violets, olives, greys and golds in a vast panorama of complex abstraction. The field studies inform large scale, pared back oil paintings produced back in the studio.” Linda Gibbs Mobile 0412 953 436 www.lindagibbs.com.au CURRICULUM VITAE LINDA GIBBS Mobile: 0412 953 436 www.lindagibbs.com.au Education 1990 - 1992 National Art School, Sydney – Painting Major Further Studies 2013 - Moriati Colour Theory 2006 - Medieval Tempera Painting, Melbourne University Relevant Employment History 1993 - 2017 Painting Tutor - Linden New Art and Gasworks 2006 – 2015 Director, Corporate Art Events 1999 - 2002 Gallery Director - Metropolis Gallery, St Kilda 1996 - 2004 Visual Art Events Producer - St Kilda Festival 1991 - 1993 Painting Tutor - Eastern Suburbs Regional College (Sydney) 1987 - 1990 Photographer’s Assistant - Richard Millott and Associates Recent Exhibitions 2016 - John Leslie Art Prize – Gippsland Art Gallery (Winner, Best Gippsland Prize) 2016 – Blake Prize – Finalist, Director’s Cut 2016 - Linda Gibbs Paintings - Brightspace 2015 - Shakespeare Grove Artists Exhibition – St Kilda Town Hall 2015 - Linda Gibbs - Wilsons Promontory Paintings – St Kilda Town Hall 2014 – John Leslie Art Prize – Gippsland Art Gallery (Finalist) 2014 – Melbourne Now - Satellite Open Studio 2013 – Linda Gibbs - Lullaby Landscapes – Gippsland Art Gallery 2013 – Slumber - Brightspace 2012 – From Realism to Nihilism – St Kilda Town Hall 2011 - Illuminate – Brightspace 2011 – Hidden Pleasures – Gippsland Art Gallery 2 2011 – South Gippslandscapes – Fish Creek Gallery 2010 – John Leslie Art Prize. Gippsland Art Gallery (Finalist) 2010 – Recent Landscapes, Axia Modern Art 2009 - Linking - St Kilda Town Hall 2009 - St Kilda Botanical Gardens en plein air 2008 - Wonderment - Gasworks Arts Park 2008 - In the Garden - St Kilda Town Hall 2008 - Postcard Show - Linden Centre for Contemporary Art 2007 Neighbourhood Watching - Brightspace 2007 - Animal Show - Artsofar 2007 - Summer Salon - Brightspace 2006 - Bowled Out - Gallery M 2006 - Summer Salon - Brightspace 2006 - Bowling Club Exhibition - Brightspace 2005 - In the Shadows - Gasworks 2002 - Linda Gibbs - Paintings - Metropolis Gallery, St Kilda 1990 - 2002 - Various Group Exhibitions, Sydney and Melbourne Linda Gibbs ****************************************************************** Gecko Studio Gallery What’s next? Exhibitions in the pipeline…… (NB details may change before these exhibitions open) #118 Picturesque - group exhibition. Friday January 19 to Monday February 19 2018. Opening event on Friday January 19 #119 Peter Greenaway – Thursday February 22 to Monday March 19, 2018. Opening event on Friday, February 23 at 6pm. Gecko Studio Gallery News “Headquarters”, our new café, is going from strength to strength. Without compromising the character and charm of Gecko or the range of products and services – contemporary art space, custom framing, art materials, art workshops and artisan wares – the café is a cool and inviting space in the front of the building looking out into the street. Headquarters are serving a unique wood roasted artisan coffee from Melbourne (Ricci Method), delicious teas (including Calmer Sutra), chais, hot chocolates and cold drinks. Headquarters also has a range of sweet and savoury foods to dine in or takeaway – including delicious vegan raw slices from local supplier “A Seasoned Kitchen”. We are already looking at new treats and products so keep an eye on the Gecko / Headquarters Facebook page and on Instagram. 3 Headquarters café at Gecko Studio Gallery ● We are catching up with friends and generally chilling out at Gibson’s Café and Bar just down the street from Gecko Thursday, Friday or Saturday evenings between 6 and 9pm (well, when we are not too exhausted). Stylish, welcoming and relaxing. Try it sometime soon. ● Gecko on Facebook - Keep up to date with our news and events on the Gecko Studio Gallery Facebook page. ● Framing quotes/ consultations – a reminder that it is wise where possible to make a time with Kerry for framing consultations and quotes. Kerry can be contacted on 0423 721 593 or at the Gallery (5683 2481). Kerry is not always at the gallery or we may have an event underway so it helps if you can book a time with Kerry. Especially now that we have the café. ArtHouse accommodation Brought to you by Gecko Studio Gallery - the ArtHouse, fine accommodation in Fish Creek. Entering through the gate, guests are greeted by the lovely private garden filled with interesting plants and flowers and by the ancient apple tree in pride of place in the back yard. The ArtHouse offers guests a stunning and beautifully appointed cottage hidden away behind Gecko Studio Gallery in the heart of Fish Creek. The walls host an array of contemporary original artwork by renowned local artists for sale - your very own private gallery. With an open central living area, full kitchen, a generous sized bedroom and beautifully appointed bathroom, the ArtHouse is light filled, comfortable and cosy. 4 Quality linen and bath towels are provided, just bring your beach towels. We also supply a portable cot with mattress protector, sheet and extra blankets. A library of artbooks and novels, an interesting dvd and cd collection and current art and style magazines have been collected for your enjoyment. Fish Creek is home to 4 galleries, and a suite of lovely cafes' including Gecko's very own coffee bar - HeadQuarters, Gibsons - serving delicious breakfasts, lunches, then tapas in the evening! There is a range of interesting shops and the iconic Fish Creek Hotel with the fish on top. The ArtHouse is perfect as a base from which to visit local wineries, walk or ride on the Great Southern Rail Trail and of course visit Wilsons Prom and the many beaches in the local area. Please note there is a 2 night minimum stay, with 3 night minimum stay on Public Holidays. Single night stays are at the owner's discretion and may incur extra charges. Contact Kerry at Gecko Studio Gallery on 03 5683 2481 or 0423 721 593. www.facebook.com/pages/Arthouse/482648991846293 www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/vic/phillip-island-gippsland/wilsons-promontory/146244 www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/2166372 See all the images at www.arthousefishcreek.com.au/ or the 3 links above. Kerry Spokes ● Kerry has an exhibition of works on paper titled ‘Known Unknowns’ at Tacit Contemporary Art, 312 Johnston St, Abbotsford. Call Kerry for more info on 0423 721 593 ● See Kerry’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/kerryspokesartist and website www.kerryspokes.com.au/ ● See www.geckostudiogallery.com.au/kerry-spokes-2/#.VkBxHeTovIU Check this out ▪ Blog by Lara Boyle, an MD/PhD student at Columbia who has an interest in the connection between the experience of art and neuroscience – titled The World We See – Part One: A Brief History https://medicalhealthhumanities.com/2017/11/04/wws-p1-a-brief-history/ Follow links in blog for further posts. 5 ▪ Decode the colour system of 19th-century nature artist Ferdinand Bauer, who documented the Australian coast, through an online interactive (CTRL+click to open) ▪ You’ve read Shakespeare’s plays. You’ve seen them performed. Maybe you’ve even flipped through the Folger digital copy of his famous First Folio. Why not learn more about how William and Isaac Jaggard printed the earliest collected edition of Shakespeare's plays and make your own digital copy? Here we introduce you to the working knowledge of early modern printers through interactive exercises and downloadable content. In our virtual printing house, you can make your own First Folio! https://www.folger.edu/publishing-shakespeare/first-folio/diy-first-folio Prom Coast Arts Council Inc Next general meeting will be – February - date and venue not determined yet. Ph Michael 0421 209 878 for more info Local Art Venues and Events The Alison Lester Shop Prints, Books, Cards & Gifts – 1 Falls Road, Fish Creek, Victoria 5683 2352. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for when Alison will be in-store for book signings and other special events. www.facebook.com/pages/Alison-Lester/219864641549443 http://alisonlester.com/ (Psst…all the prints at the Alison Lester Shop are framed by Gecko Studio Gallery) Stefani Hilltop Gallery Artist-in-residence Bianca Biesuz-Stefani. 39 Keane’s Rd, Fish Creek. Ph 5683 2253. http://members.dcsi.net.au/hilltop_gallery/ Open Thursday to Monday or by appointment. Ride the Wild Goat Workshop & Gallery 5 Falls Rd, Fish Creek. Ph 5683 2661. Paintings and one-off handmade furniture & objects by Andrew McPherson. Open Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon – 10.30 – 4.30pm. 0417 370 596 http://ridethewildgoat.com.au/ Check out Andy’s out there Christmas tree The Celia Rosser Gallery and Banksia Café Promontory Rd, Fish Creek. Open hours: Fri, Sat, Sun 10am – 4pm or by appointment. Ph 5683 2628. [email protected] www.celiarossergallery.com.au/index.htm People Places Things Gallery 11 Falls Rd, Fish Creek (between Flying Cow Café and the Fish Creek Memorial Hall).