Gecko Studio Gallery Newsletter January - February 2018 1 The artists involved are Susan Quinn, Chris Larsen, Andrew McPherson, Many Gunn, Mae Adams, Jan Learmonth, Mary Sullivan, Annie Stark, Deb LeCerf, Peter Cole, Tony Hanning, Rod Bechaz, Ros Atkins, Anne Miller, Kim McDonald, Adrian Johnson, Daniel Jenkins, Janie Frith, Dennis Leversha, Paul Satchell, Wendy Satchell, Kerry Spokes, Susan Purdy, Jim Patterson. We expect many of the artists to be at the opening event so it will be a lively time with such a bunch of interesting characters. Many have exhibited with Gecko before, most are local to South Gippsland or larger Gippsland, mediums used will vary and we have little idea of what will be in the show until the works turn up for the exhibition setup. A reminder that Gecko Studio Gallery is open from 9am to 5pm 7 days a week until January 29th and then open 9am to 4pm Thursday to Monday, i.e. closed Tuesday and Wednesday. ****************************************************************** Gecko Studio Gallery What’s next? Exhibitions in the pipeline…… (NB details may change before these exhibitions open) 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. 2 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. 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. 3 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 ● 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: A timely reminder that we have the same range of art materials at Gecko as we had prior to the café. They are now located at the rear of the gallery ● Caravaggio: Crucifixion of Saint Andrew app available Caravaggios Crucifixion of Saint Andrew is a masterpiece of baroque painting and the only altarpiece by the artist in America. Painted in Naples in 1606/7, the work was taken to Spain in 1610, where it likely remained for hundreds of years. The painting was acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art soon after its rediscovery in the 1970s. One of only eight works by Caravaggio in the United States, The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew had not been cleaned since 1974 and was ripe for examination. Beginning in 2014, the CMA conservator of paintings Dean Yoder spent nearly three years studying Caravaggio’s working technique, cleaning and conserving the CMA painting, and analysing technical images. The discoveries made during this process are now shared in Conserving Caravaggio’s Crucifixion of Saint Andrew: A Technical Study, an interactive app detailing the methods of analysis that Yoder used including X-rays, pigment analysis, infrared reflectography, UV irradiation, Raman spectroscopy, and more to illuminate aspects of Caravaggio's working process and uncover details of the paintings genesis and execution. The app moves chronologically from the museum’s acquisition of the painting to the recent restoration campaign, referencing the effects of past cleanings and noting contemporary challenges, while providing detail images from each stage. Beginning with the canvas itself, and concluding with highly technical data gleaned from minute cross sections of paint, it shows the role science plays in establishing new narratives for old works of art. In addition to cross section analysis, other interactive features include X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) a non-destructive method of identifying the elemental components of a material utilized for several dozen locations on the painting. Yoder’s analysis explores Caravaggio's use of abbozzo, an initial sketching with lead white paint to establish the composition, as well as the artist’s use of incisions and other marks that effectively take the place of preparatory drawings; unlike most of his contemporaries, Caravaggio appears not to have used drawings to plan his compositions. The conservation more clearly revealed a figure previously 4 shrouded in shadow as well as pentimenti, evidence of the compositions evolution. Yoder’s sensitive conservation approach to lost and damaged passages of the painting have returned clarity and depth of tone to the picture, making the subject more legible than it has been for decades. Using innovative interactive technology, Conserving Caravaggio's Crucifixion of Saint Andrew: A Technical Study enables the user to explore, step-by-step, how conservation of this magnificent painting has reinforced our understanding of the artist as a master manipulator of shadow and light. The app is compatible with iPad iOS 11 and Android OS 4.4. Apple App Store link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/conserving- caravaggio/id1315714893?ls=1&mt=8 Android Market Google Play link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.clevelandart.caravaggio ● Check out Gurneys Cidery (last page, under Foster). We haven’t had the time to visit yet but looking forward to it. Prom Coast Arts Council Inc Next general meeting will be – late February / early March - date and venue not determined yet. An email will be sent to those on the PCA mailing list – email Michael at [email protected] or text on 0421 209 878 to be put on the list or 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).