Bundaberg artist Marlies Oakley with her portrait of cartoon character Marge Simpson; like the rest of the artworks in her exhibition, it was created entirely from postage stamps

September 7, 2016

Bundaberg artist Marlies Oakley isn’t sure exactly how many hours she put into creating her latest exhibition. But if the reactions of people who’ve seen it are any guide, it was time well spent.

“Nothing New” – a collection of 24 portraits of iconic figures made from postage stamps – debuted at the Wondai Regional Gallery on Friday night.

Each portrait was accompanied by a brief biography of the subject; a small image that showed what was being reproduced; and copies of the postage stamps that were used to make each work.

Guests had fun peering at each work to see how the artist had painstakingly put it together, occasionally discovering clever jokes in many of the portraits that are better experienced than explained.

“Nothing New” opened in the Main Gallery along with an exhibition of textile art by the Tangled Threads Textile Art Group in the Front Gallery, and “Pot Luck” – new works by members of The Soup Kitchen art group – in the Rear Gallery.

The three exhibitions were officially opened by Gil Smith and Cr Ros Heit, who were filling in for popular Wondai Art Gallery curator Elaine Madill.

Mrs Madill had been taken ill shortly before opening night, Mr Smith said, and it was the first time in a very long time she hadn’t attended one of the Gallery’s monthly exhibition openings.

Mr Smith praised the Gallery’s volunteers for quickly stepping in to fill the void, saying it was a tribute both to them and to the training Elaine had given everyone who was part of the Gallery’s staff.

He was certain everyone who knew Elaine wished her a speedy recovery, and said he looked forward to seeing her “back in deck” as quickly as possible.

He was certain everyone else did too.

In the meantime, he said, the Gallery was compiling a “Get Well Soon” book, and he invited everyone at the opening night to write their own personal message to Elaine in it to encourage her recovery.

Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery curator Trudie Leigo then took to the floor to speak about her long-time friend Marlies’ Oakley’s work, and was followed by members of The Soup Kitchen and Tangled Threads who spoke about their own groups’ operations and interests.

As usual, guests at the opening night also got to enjoy wines from Cranes Winery, a generous finger food smorgasbord and live entertainment, which this month was provided by Graham Mitchell from Dimities Cottage.

  • “Nothing New”, “Tangled Threads 16” and “Pot Luck” will remain on show at the Wondai Regional Art Gallery from 10:00am to 4:00pm daily until September 28; admission to view the exhibitions is free.
Well known South Burnett artist Gary Eyre with two of his new works – “Lady In White” and “Sounds Of Silence” – which are on display in the Rear Gallery as part of The Soup Kitchen’s exhibition
N’Relle Armstrong, who is also a member of The Soup Kitchen, with two of her acrylic works “Sunset” and “Reflections”
Dianne Hannant was very taken with Marlies Oakley’s portrait of film character Edward Scissorhands; each portrait comes with a brief biography and shows the stamps that were used to create it
Cr Ros Heit admired Marlies Oakley’s striking portrait of pop artist Andy Warhol
Gallery volunteers Roza Lear and Michelle Smith took a break to discuss the three exhibitions
Marlies Oakley’s long-time friend, Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery curator Trudie Leigo – seen here with a portrait of Barack Obama – spoke about Marlies’ work at the opening
Tangled Threads group members Lenelle Wendt and Barbara Jenkins with fellow member
Jan Scudamore’s textile wall hangings, which took her months to create

 

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