The 'Up Your Arts' exhibition/event features works of art made by Local Artisans, and is additionally supported through generous donations of goods from local Benalla merchants.  The items on display are not for sale.  However, they will be won by some very lucky people who purchased a page (or more) pf 20 tickets for $5, which the purchaser then distributes into the numbered ticket box(es) that match the number of the prize they want to win.  It's that simple.  Prizes will be drawn on December 17th and the winner notified using details provided when purchasing a page of tickets.   

​We look forward to sharing your company.

​Allan Jack 
'Not Another Lockdown'
​
'The physiological affects on children of repeated 'COVID lockdowns is an unknown quantity at this stage.  Hopefully the resilience of youth will prevail, and the experience put down to mere character building"

​Graphite Pencil on water colour paper   
$300

Click on  the poster image to go to the online exhibition!

​Title       : Greta Thunberg leading the Next Generation  (work in progress)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Artist     : Tim Bowtell
 
Although this painting is not finished – there is more to do, the artist Tim Bowtell has kindly agreed to the request to exhibit it for this collection of NEA Studio Artists’ work.
 
This is a traditional painting with a contemporary and topical subject. Actually, the idea of a traditional painting with a contemporary and topical subject is traditional as well. Artists such as Delacriox, David, Picasso, Arthur Streeton and Juan Davila and an army of others have successfully stung the public consciousness with artworks which bring timeless ideas and values to the fore.
 
Jacque Louis David’s  “The Oath of the Horatii” (1875) depicted a Roman patrician holding swords upward for his sons to take in commitment and pledge to defend Rome. Originally exhibited in the Paris Salon, the painting created a great controversy which carried across to the evolving political climate in France at the time. 1875 was the year of the establishment of the Third Republic in France. The painting now stars in the Louvre.
 
Arthur Streeton painted “The Last of the Messmates” in 1928. The painting depicts a lone tree standing in a cleared landscape. Cleared as far as the eye can see. The land is littered with the trash of the former Dandenong Ranges forest. Streeton and the Australian painters of his “Impressionist” group focussed on the Australian land, the environment and its particular beauty. “The Last of the Messmates” was a protest painting, foretelling the end of the forestation of the Dandenongs – once called the lungs of Melbourne….
 
The centre of this composition is Greta Thunberg. The three figures on the ground in blue suits raise their arms and form a pyramid composition drawing the eye to Greta. Behind Greta are her followers. They are all young. She leads them away from the devastation of the landscape ravaged with fires and polluting smoke. The blue suited figures in the foreground attempt to stop Greta, but her eyes are firmly raised above their entreating arms. One of the raised hands holds a lump of coal.
 
This painting was commenced well before the current fire season began. Some people will find it quite unsettling.

The two untitled works by Simon Klose  in NEA's current 'Upstairs Downstairs' exhibition do not refer to any specific experience or subject. They are intended to be autonomous experiences in their own right, although others may understand them through their own associations or experiences.
 
The works are intended to be read as an ‘object’ and a ‘subject’ where the object and subject are as close as possible to being the same. They employ the traditional relationship of viewer and subject, although they differ in that the smaller is closer to a pictorial representation whilst the larger work is enhanced by the wall on which it is located.
 
What may be experienced by a viewer at best will reflect the many and layered processes and decisions which have led to the present works. The process of their making employed sensing as well as thought, a form of engagement that best communicates making and meaning that is embedded there in the work. A work is completed to attain a ‘truth’, not simply a preference or a liking – that comes from having a primary objective in mind.
 
Then, I naturally discover beauty as well, so the traditional trilogy of perception, truth and beauty is there.

Simon Klose
Studio Artist 
Exhibitiions Coordinator
​

​‘#15’ – Bruce Buckley
 
Number 15 is a painting from an image created by a photographic process. Using a photograph circumvents some of the problems artists encounter with drawing, but not all. Whilst the looking and putting of lines and tones is avoided the other pictorial elements remain. Composition, colour, translation of one medium to another.  The process brings its own unique challenges to resolve before a successful compelling image can be created.
 
Number 15 has some very close tonal values – the nose, the eyes and the number fifteen ticket are the three elements which allow us to see the image. They enliven the image, the rest is mainly the black hair of the coat.
 
The animal looks directly at us. Its baleful stare states facts and asks questions.
 
Simon Klose
NEA Exhibitions Coordinator

'Upstairs, Downstairs' exhibition, NEA Exhibitions Gallery,  12 January  to  7 March 2020 

In 2019 the 'Lessen the Pollution, Better Their Lives'; 'Identity', 'Postcards from New York's Hudson Valley', 'Postcards to New York' and 'Creativity Untamed' exhibitions all resulted from applications to exhibit at  NEA. 

We would like to invite artists or groups from NEA or the community to showcase work in our large Exhibition Gallery space in 2020.  There is a very reasonable weekly room hire fee; Curating and organising all aspects of the exhibition are the responsibility of the artist/s or group, with mentoring provided if required by NEA's Exhibitions Coordinator, Simon Klose. 

The NEA exhibitions for the year have not been finalised - quite a few months are still free. Applications will be considered based on availability.

Please refer to the Exhibitions Application below for details.

If anyone has any requests or theme ideas for NEA exhibitions this year,  please contact  Simon Klose 0412 545 656

The brainchild of NEA's Exhibitions Coordinator Simon Klose, the $50 Christmas Exhibition is now underway in the Exhibitions Gallery (Gallery 2).  Featuring works by NEA members, early sales are promising - new works will be installed as works sell!  If something takes your eye, our Gallery Shop volunteers will assist you.  

​$50 is an exhibition of artworks by members of the North East Artisans made or selected to meet the Christmas Season’s tradition of giving gifts and presents which are thoughtful, individual and have high personal and human value. Although the price of the artworks is fixed at a ridiculously low $50 – this is meant as a humorous and ironic gesture – it is the choice of the artists to determine their own contribution to the equation of principles and ideas.
​
Don’t expect works to be glazed and framed = although some may be – but expect a great gift opportunity provided by people who share the North East with us and want to provide a positive human contribution to the seasons character.

Simon Klose 

This slide show is under construction - More to come!

We've just received the news that the Postcards response show is opening later today (November 9) at Beacon Arts Riverwinds Gallery in New York.   Love the title = 'Air Mail:  Artist Postcards from Oz'.  We've received first image, along with a link to the exhibition information on the Gallery's website.  If you are planning a trip to NY, the show runs through to December 8.  Find out more:  https://beaconarts.org/events/air-mail-artist-postcards-from-oz/

It's almost time for the end of year exhibition of work by students from the Flexible Learning Centre, which is scheduled for Tuesday 19 to Saturday 30 November. 

This round up of April's exhibition of work 'Kaleidoscope of Colour' on the NEFLC website is interesting to read.  (Click on the image for a clearer view).

The Wisdom and Experience exhibition held at NEA during Seniors Month proved to be a reflective and valued experience for many visitors to the Exhibitions Gallery..

A People's Choice award of $200 was shared by Berni Hurst, for her work 'Down the Hillside' and Cathy Pianta, for her oil pastel 'Freedom'.  Honorable Mentions were accorded by the people to Bruce Buckley for 'Love'', Mary Kennedy for 'Cleopatra' and Rob Matthews, for Memories of Coming Home;

Berni Hurst wrote about 'Down The Hillside'  ' It's amazing how resilient our Bush is after a Bushfire.  The new growth coming up in stark contrast to the Blackened tree trunks and Rocks.  The smell of the Bush and beautiful colours of the Australian Bushlands have always fascinated me as is evident in this piece.'  

Like Berni, Cathy Pianta received votes for both her works, however 'Freedom' was awarded the joint winner. Cathy wrote about 'Freedom', (Oil pastel on board 2019) "The striking combination of strength, colour, youth and beauty in the face of a young West Papuan independence fighter (2019) prompted my attempt to capture this.  ' 

Broken River Painters who exhibited in Wisdom Experience this year included Jan Burge, Jacquelie Durand, Carol Perry, Norah Waghorne, Marian Wroe and Lee Voight.  Jan, Jacqueline, Carol, Norah and Marion are pictured in this gallery of photos with Denise Ellison, Rob Matthews and Cathy Pianta.