{"id":235388,"date":"2019-05-13T23:19:38","date_gmt":"2019-05-13T13:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=235388"},"modified":"2020-07-20T12:31:33","modified_gmt":"2020-07-20T02:31:33","slug":"gallery-offers-smorgasbord-of-arts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/05\/13\/gallery-offers-smorgasbord-of-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"Gallery Offers Smorgasbord Of Arts"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
South Burnett photographer Belinda Kranz’s vivid lanscapes and portraits fill Wondai Regional Art Gallery’s front gallery this month<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

May 13, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stunning photos, textile art, and a tribute to a pioneer cattleman who lived in a Boondooma cave for 10 years make up the Wondai Regional Art Gallery’s May exhibition.<\/p>\n

The three exhibitions – works by photographer Belinda Kranz, the Graham House Spinners and Weavers, and artist Wendy Olsen – were officially opened at a well-attended wine and cheese night on May 3.<\/p>\n

It was gallery’s biggest opening night so far this year.<\/p>\n

The front gallery is given over this month to Belinda Kranz’s photos, which cover everything from South Burnett landscapes to portraits<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Belinda said she had originally taken up photography as a hobby but had begun to take it more seriously about four years ago.<\/p>\n

She now runs a photographic business. Her exhibition consisted of personal favourites along with photographs that had found favour with judges at the many photographic competitions she’s entered.<\/p>\n

The bulk of her photos are views of the South Burnett and its people, including a striking portrait of Belinda’s father, a lifelong peanut farmer.<\/p>\n

Belinda’s photos are vivid, often breath-taking, and provide views of some things many local residents have probably seen – such as Wooroolin’s paulownia plantation – in strikingly new ways.<\/p>\n

In the main gallery, the Graham House Spinners and Weavers have a wide-ranging display of textile art.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The group’s large collection of lovingly woven wearable art is accompanied by a large static display showing the astonishing array of everyday materials that can be used to dye wool, along with examples of the colours each of these dyes produce.<\/p>\n

Examples on display include everything from cochineal beetles and copper pipes to a fungus that grows on a tree in one spinner’s garden.<\/p>\n

Members of the group who attended the official opening said they pursued spinning, weaving and dyeing primarily as a hobby, however they were very pleased to have the opportunity to bring their work to a much wider audience.<\/p>\n

Finally, the rear gallery contains a selection of artworks from Wendy Olsen which were inspired by the life story of little-known South Burnett pioneer Cyril Jerrard.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cyril selected a block of land in the Boondooma area in 1921 but lived in a cave until he built a small house 10 years later.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jerrard’s hobby was studying birds, and he developed a particular fascination for the now-extinct Paradise Parrot, which he observed over several years on his property and neighbouring properties.<\/p>\n

He produced thorough descriptions of the bird’s appearance, nature and nesting habits; took the only known photographs of the species; and is credited with the last official sighting of the parrot in 1927.<\/p>\n

Jerrard went on to be a successful grazier but his own life also ended in tragedy when he drowned at a family picnic in 1943 at the age of 54.<\/p>\n

Wendy said her works were a tribute to Jerrard, and to the idea that human beings should try to live in harmony with nature rather than destroy it.<\/p>\n

The official opening was conducted by Cr Danita Potter.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cr Potter praised the works on show and said she found them all fascinating, but each in different ways.<\/p>\n

Gallery curator Elaine Madill told the audience that – much to her surprise – she was the Gallery’s president again after incoming president Amanda Seiler had to reluctantly step down due to unforeseen family circumstances.<\/p>\n

Elaine said Amanda will still take part in activities at the gallery but was unable to assume the top job as planned.<\/p>\n

So Elaine has resumed the role she’s held for the past 11 years until a new president can be found.<\/p>\n