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What's on in the Canberra art's scene, October 21, 2017
By Karen Hardy
Past and present
Playing with the Past continues the long tradition of artists taking favourite pictures from the past and using them as a launching point for their own work. Whether in homage or with playful reinvention, 12 artists from the Canberra region have used a wide variety of source imagery, from Leonardo's Last Supper to a Morandi still life.
Taking part in the show are Julian Laffan, Kate Stevens, Robin Wallace-Crabbe, Jay Davies, Tim Burke, Lizzie Hall, Catherine Moore, Colin Edgell, Pauline Webber, Bernard Hardy, Clinton DeVere and Stephanie Haygarth.
Kate Stevens' version of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper.
Julian Davies opened The Left Hand Gallery in Braidwood, established in 2010 as a non-profit venture to support imaginative visual artists free from the usual commercial pressures of mainstream galleries.
With only three or four exhibitions a year, the accent is on encouraging handmade artworks that show the individual, idiosyncratic sensibility of their maker.
The show will run for the next three weekends, 10am-5pm, October 21-22, 28-29 and November 4-5, or by appointment.
Opening drinks tonight, October 21, from 5pm. 81 Lascelles Street, Braidwood. thelefthand.website for more information.
Early news
We know it's like buying hot cross buns before Easter but the efficient folk at The National Folk Festival have already announced the first round of artists for 2018.
From England, Faustus and Belshazzar's Feast will headline, along with returning festival favourite, Katey Brooks, and homegrown heroes Mick Thomas and The Roving Commission, 19-Twenty and Frumious.
Faustus are a "bloke folk" triumvirate of prodigiously talented multi-instrumentalists: Paul Sartin, Benji Kirkpatrick and Saul Rose. The Guardian described them as "one of Britain's outstanding folk bands" and The Independent on Sunday declared their mission to be "to rescue contemporary folk from the curse of feyness…"
This will be the 52nd festival, to be held over five days from March 29 to April 2, 2018. Tickets are on sale now.
With this ring
We always love what Bilk Gallery does, we couldn't get enough of Bro.och. Now they're staging Ring Master, again taking jewellery archetypes and inviting a their stable of artists to reinvent, reimagine and reconstruct the particular content for exhibit.
From cocktail rings to a simple wedding band, from the razzle dazzle, sparkle, bling to the poignant, fine, and ephemeral, the breath of invention and style that may adorn one's hands is endless.
The clever people this time include: Helen Britton, Julia deVille, Johannes Kuhnen, Helen Aitken-Kuhnen, Carlier Makigawa, Godwin Baum, Julie Blyfield, Melissa Cameron, Cinnamon Lee, Chris Robertson, Sean O'Connell, Jane Bowden, Bin Dixon-Ward, Philip Noakes, Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro, Mikki Trail, Sam Mertens and Mio Kuhnen, among others.
Bilk Gallery has been showcasing contemporary glass and metal for more than 16 years. Located in the heart of Manuka, the gallery promotes the best of young emerging artists, as well as established internationally renowned artists.
Ring Master, from October 27 to December 24.
Book the date
ArtSound's Spring Book and Music Fair has been extended to a two-day event, over the weekend of November 4-5, 10am to 4pm both days There will be the usual choice of good quality, much-loved CDs, vinyl, DVDs and books. This is a major fundraising event for ArtSound, enabling them to continue their work serving the Canberra region arts community. Get out there and support them. Information at artsound.fm or call 6295 7444 weekdays, 10am to 4pm.
Coast escape
Not too late to get in the car and head down to Four Winds at Bermagui. Always something fun happening there. This afternoon it's Pete Wild's album launch for CALM. So get in the car, now!
A collection of vibrant vignettes, CALM reads as a survival manual for contemporary small-town country Australia; caravan renovations, insomnia-inducing anxiety, romantic beginnings on South Coast beaches, or losing your lover to the Mars 1 colonisation project. Sounds like just the soundtrack for summer.
Wild will be joined by the wonderful Only Ones: Heath Cullen, guitar (who was at last year's NFF); Robyn Martin, bass; Jay McMahon, drums; Kate Burke, guitar, violin, trumpet and piano; plus special guests.
Doors open at 2pm. Adults $25. Concession $20. Special offer: $15 CD of the new album CALM for those who buy the new album with a pre-purchase ticket.