Pittwater Life March 2023 Issue

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Art Life Steph’s art future is sorted Art Life Ring the secret bell at Avalon Post Office and the early morning collection hatch opens – to the amazing world of Steph Brown, mail sorter extraordinaire with a hidden creative talent. Steph has looked after Avalon’s early risers for the past six years. Before the Post Office opens, her customers are swimmers heading home after a dip and chirpy locals on their coffee and mail runs. Everyone is greeted with a smile and a quick chat – and with the special parcel they’ve been waiting for: wine, coffee, records (the black vinyl kind)… even lawnmowers. “The early morning regulars are lovely, they’re bright and happy,” Steph says. “I enjoy seeing them and if I haven’t seen them for a while I get a little bit concerned!” “A lot of the regulars know that I have two lives.” Steph’s hidden talent is she’s an acclaimed artist. She brilliantly captures the essence of people in her portrait paintings – cinematographer John Ogden and Gretel Pinniger (aka Madam Lash) are two local identities she has painted. Twice selected for display in the Salon des Refuses for her portraits entered in the Archibald Prize, Steph is aiming for the 2023 Official Exhibition. Her portrait will be of a local lady of Japanese heritage – an origami exponent and volunteer interpreter and guide for the Japanese community during the Archibald Prize. “It’s quite hard actually selecting somebody,” she says. “It does help a lot if you paint someone well-known. I don’t know how the judging panel thinks but they may be thinking of drawcards to pull people into the exhibition.” A dairy farm in Matamata in New Zealand’s North Island was Steph’s childhood home. Art was always on her radar. “I did art at high school and I loved it – and I didn’t like it when kids played up in class!” she laughs. Steph left her mark on Matamata – her town mural at Firth Primary School is still there 40 years later. Tourists flock to see it (and, perhaps, the Hobbiton movie set created for the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films). A graphic design career and teaching art were creative outlets before Steph took the leap into portrait painting. Steph says portraits demand exacting, intricate work and she needs several sittings with her subjects, getting to know them. “You get to work out people’s character and how they hold themselves,” she explains. Energy gained from her Next wave Express opinions Sharp, visual social commentary from Northern Beaches youth will be on display at the 2023 Express Yourself exhibition at Manly Art Gallery & Museum from March 3. Express Yourself comprises more than 50 artworks by HSC Visual Arts students, selected from the 20 secondary schools across the peninsula. “At its core, the exhibition displays the voice of youth and presents young artists as commentators and advocates, questioning the status quo, and opening minds and conversations to help us imagine new futures,” said Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan. The exhibition has been an important part of the Gallery’s program since 1995. “Express Yourself provides a chance every year to connect with the artists emerging from secondary schools across the region,” Cr Regan said. “It’s a loved centrepiece of the annual program and an exhibition that brings new life and ideas into the Gallery to be celebrated and exposed to new audiences. IMPRESSIVE: Joe Boaler (Barrenjoey High) – ‘The Land is ours; this land owns me’. “I’d like to congratulate each and every artist selected to take part in 2023 and to acknowledge the tremendous work they have put in to be included,” Mayor Regan said. The works by 2022 HSC students show incredible diversity, depth and skill. Some artworks reflect very personal themes of family and relationships, or draw on their cultural heritage; some explore the environmental crisis, and our connection to the land and to place; while others reflect on all that it is to be human in an everchanging world. A ‘Meet The Artists’ session will be held on Sunday March 26, when visitors can engage with selected artists as they move through the gallery, listening to stories of inspiration and the creative process (2-3pm), followed by live performances by top young local musicians. Now in its 29th year, Express Yourself is presented in partnership with Northern Beaches secondary schools and the MAG&M Society. *More info Council website. – Lisa Offord Avalon Post Office customers helps by flowing into the ‘art part’ of Steph’s day. “I can still have enough energy and focus to go home and switch my brain to something that really can be quite draining and intense,” she says. Draining and intense also describes the experiences of the volunteer firefighters in the Victorian Black Saturday fires. Steph saw the destruction and upheaval the fires caused. “The firefighters took me out into the actual areas that were all burnt out – it was just devastating. I couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t believe what these everyday volunteer people would do – just for the community.” She’s painted a picture of firefighter Sandra, as “salt of the earth”, “as rugged as you get” and “all expletives with a few normal English words Trail bolstered by 10 new artists The 2023 Pittwater Artists Trail is bigger and better than ever – they’re an energetic and vibrant creative community right here on our doorstep. The 21 Trail members – including 10 newcomers in the past 12 months – have diverse approaches but all are united by their passion for creation and innovation. This year’s popular annual group exhibition – featuring the stunning work of all Trail members – kicks off at the Newport Community Centre with an opening night on Friday 24 March. “This is a unique opportunity to see the work of a mix of emerging and established creatives under one roof, a chance to talk to them about what inspires their work and 42 MARCH 2023 The Local Voice Since 1991 PHOTO: Greg McHugh
NEW FOCUS: Steph Brown in her studio. thrown in”. The firefighters inspired Steph’s Extraordinary Faces: Volunteers project – portraits and personal stories of 22 volunteers depicting the incredible people and can-do attitudes that make a community. After focusing on portraits for 15 years, Steph is ready for the next adventure. “In my head I always wanted buy special pieces direct from the artist,” said Trail committee member Karen Hick. “With 10 new creatives, this year’s exhibition cannot help but excite visitors old and new to the Trail. “Carol Lamb creates bold The Local Voice Since 1991 to do big, colourful scenes and bright loose paintings. This year I’m not doing so many portraits and I’m doing a lot more scenery. Lovely little colourful things!” she says. – Greg McHugh *You can see Steph and her colourful art at the 2023 Pittwater Artists Trail at Newport Community Centre – opening night 24 March and exhibition 25-26 March. sculptural wall art using traditional macrame techniques, but not as you know it! “Meanwhile photographer Leisel Edis produces ethereal underwater images that transport the viewer to a watery world. “ Karen said the Trail would present five new painters – Bob Richardson, Stephanie Galloway Brown (see story above), Liz Muir, Dennis King, Jennifer Rosnell – working in a range of media including watercolour, impasto, oils and beeswax. “Wendy Cummings will delight with her playful felted images of native birdlife; and Christine Sadler combines silver, beadwork and embroidery in her exquisite wearable designs. “Wrapping up the new lineup is the basketry of Louise Nade, featuring sustainably gathered natural and found materials.” – NW * Pittwater Artists Trail runs Friday 24 March (6-8pm) through the weekend of 25- 26 March (10am-4pm). More info pittwaterartiststrail.com MARCH 2023 43 Art Life
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Pittwater Life March 2023 Issue

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