Cheques should be made payable to
"The Victorian Artists Society" and be mailed to:
Although to some people a touchy subject, to most of us it is never the less interesting. I am certain that each of us, at some time or another, has made the occasional trip to a cemetery to just read the tomb stones. Well we are taking this activity a step further by providing you, with the assistance of Joyce McGrath who made this discovery, a chance to find the grave sites of Australian artists with the aid of the Internet. In fact if you wish to know the whereabouts of the grave of over 1000 Aussie artists just click on this link and we will take you straight there. http://www.australianartistsgravesites.com/
For instance did you know that Rupert Bunny died on the 25.5.1947 and that his ashes were scattered, .... unfortunately we don't know where.
This information plus much much more can be found at this site! Thanks Joyce for another valuable contribution.
Back issues of the VAS Newsletter are now available
For those interested in our history through the official VAS Newsletter publications, we offer you the opportunity to view past issues in PDF format. Only publications prior to the 1/1/2007 will be available to the general public at this time.
·Artists Graves ·Subscriptions ·Past Newsletters ·Art Bargain Sale ·emailed Newsletter ·2007 AOTY ·Kenneth Jack Memorial W/colour Exhibiton · ·Lifting the Standard ·Selection process explained ·Unframed paintings ·Winter Exhibition ·World Vision Art 4 Aid Exhibition ·Kath Ballard Life Membership ·Women painting Women
2008 Art Bargains Sale and Auction
The 2007 Art/Auction & Bargain Sale drew another good crowd on February 13th. and concluded on March 6th, in our Galleries. A large attendance of purchasers and speculators scrambled for the many unframed art works.
As usual there were a number of fortunate purchasers who bought multiple works, at prices unbelievable.
Works from as low as $70 were offered and snapped up at the end of each session throughout a hectic and noisy evening. Be sure not to miss your opportunity to collect a real art bargain gem starting February 2008. Be early to avoid any disappointment. For investors of art this is a must.
Members now have their Newletter delivered by email!
The internet is now a part of everyone's life. It's no longer a medium that can be ignored or excused away as a younger generation's fad. Already a number of our members are well connected, even featuring their own web site, telling the world about their talents and offering their artistic works for sale. (see the commercial page)
Vas management had the foresight to reduce the financial deficit by cutting costs through the use of technology. It makes good sense to run with the benefits that the internet offers. The Vas has finally cut back on paper, printing costs and manual collating of the newsletter, not forgetting mailing expenses etc.
Our current newsletter is now in colour. Ted has been working long hours to improve the Vas Newsletter and I am certain you also will be impressed with the latest results. If you have the internet available in your home, send Ted your email details so he can forward the colour version to you. It is also speedier than "snail mail."
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The debate continues in the VAS, whether or not paintings should be selected exclusively on the basis of "quality". It seems that there is a major shift in the wind, that some members may experience future disappointment when they learn that their paintings may be more closely scrutinised and may be rejected on the basis of questionable quality . This is by no means a new concept but rather a drift back to past standards, so revered by the serious artist who felt proud to have their works displayed on the hallowed VAS Gallery walls. In recent times a greater emphasis has been placed on having more of our members' works on display, irrespective of the quality submitted. This did not achieve the desired results in gaining more members but had an adverse effect by discouraging the serious and professional artist from taking part in the VAS Exhibitions. The VAS has a very proud connections with the early years of Australian art and played a major part with the Heidelberg impressionists. But the respect attained in those early years had sadly dwindled during the periods since, as more and more amateur works were allowed to hang in our galleries. Since John Hunt has taken on the difficult role as President of the VAS we have seen a re-emerging sense of self pride and a greater variety of works and mediums in the latest exhibitions. The recent Kenneth Jack Memorial Watercolour Exhibition, attended by respected dignitaries and artists, once again reminded those in attendance of the achievements possible when one steps outside of their comfort zone and makes that extra effort. The works were of the highest possible standard and all agreed that the evening produced more than one winner and restored some VAS respect back into the art community. |
VAS Annual Subscription for 2008 now due!
Joining Fee: (first time only) $ 51.50
Annual Subscription:
$103.00
GST
$ 15.50
Total Amount $170.00
Country Membership
Joining fee: $ 51.50
Annual Subscription: $ 92.00
GST $14.00
Total Amount $158.00
Students $55 (no joining fee)
The Secretary
Victorian Artists SocietyDisclaimer
The opinions expressed within these pages are not necessarily those of the VAS Council. (webmaster)
The Kenneth Jack Memorial Watercolour Exhibition
An impressive evening and stunning show, made memorable by the attendance of the VAS Patron, the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser A. O. and Mrs Jan de Kretser., who opened this outstanding exhibition.
Guests and members who attended this special occasion, celebrating the artistry of Kenneth Jack, will surely have this day etched deep in their memory. The quality of all watercolours were of the highest order, varied in size and style, with the winner of this inaugural exhibition Ross Paterson, never in doubt. Robert Wade, the official judge for this award, remarked that this work would stand on it's own merits anywhere in the world. Robert should know as he is a well known international watercolour artist with many outstanding awards to his name. Credit for this outstanding event is due to a number of dedicated VAS members who after many months of planning and running ragged made this first showing of the Kenneth Jack Memorial Watercolour Exhibition a great success.
Other Commendations awarded by Robert Wade were - Clive Sinclair, Malcolm Webster, Charles Sluga, Amanda Hyatt, Ev Hales and Margaret Cowling.
The exhibition was attended by the Governor of Victoria, members of the Jack family, the VAS council and members, representatives from the Watercolour Society as well as many notable guests who enjoyed live music drifting through the VAS galleries and generally taking in the moment of a truly stunning event.
Selection for a VAS OrdinaryExhibition simply expained
(or why your work was rejected)
At some time or another most members of the VAS have experienced the process of selection and rejection of their work. The following explanation may help to understand the reasons why this may have happened and why it may happen again.
When your painting arrives in the gallery it is placed against the wall face out for all selectors to see. The selection committee consists of all exhibiting council members. Each member is invited to select 8 paintings, that they believe should be included in the exhibition. Remember that a total of 12 selectors view all paintings all of the time. Each of the selected paintings are then hung on the walls of the galleries until the spaces have been filled. Non selected paintings remain on display on the floor. The selection committee, led by the exhibition convener, then take a group of 3-4 paintings at a time to discuss the merits of each painting. If any selection member makes a challenge against a painting, that it should not be exhibited, he/she is invited to explain their reasoning and a vote is taken to decide whether or not the painting should remain in the show. If the painting is voted out it is taken down and faced to the wall for no further consideration. After the entire display has been reviewed, any gaps that have resulted on the walls are now filled by an additional selection of paintings still remaining on the floor. When the walls are filled the selection process is completed.
One can see with this process that every entry is viewed many times over and only lack of quality and wall space will be the final determining factor when some works are not included in a VAS ordinary exhibition.
Otto Boron, who was the official judge for this oustanding exhibition, is a professional artist and past recipient of the VAS Artist of the Year Award. He clearly displayed his appreciation of varied styles and subject matter with a number of Highly Commended works. The one chosen as the outstanding painting was that of Ulrich Stalph's view of Wild Dog Creek Road in the Otway Ranges. Ulrich has produced a number of large works over recent years, of this his passionate area of the Victorian coastline.
The exhibition was well attended by a large audience, considering the adverse, cold weather conditions at this time of year. Due to the absence of the president (still holidaying somewhere in Europe), Noel Waite stepped in to launch the official opening.
Unframed works have been successfully submitted by our members for many years. Although not a great believer of this practice, especially when applied to traditional paintings, it does allow for a more economical approach, particularly when the painting is of a very large size. Today's costs of framing can be a real put-off. But I do agree that a minimalist approach to art is often complimented by an unrestricted edge which allows the painting to spill into the room and not be constrained by sometimes flamboyant frames that totally dictate to the work and deny it room to breath.
One issue however has come to the attention of the selection committee when needing to decide whether or not the works qualify for inclusion when unframed. That is the unpainted and sometimes visible stapling on the edge of the painting, which tends to leave a rather unfinished appearance, not to mention an unprofessional finish of the completed works. The VAS selection committee gives notice that unframed works require the edges of a painting to be included in the works and should show a continuation of the painted surface.
The Victorian
Artists Society was very proud to host the World
Vision Art 4 Aid Exhibition and embraced the opportunity to
encourage younger and dynamic artists.
Art 4 Aid was a selection of works by young artists with
a social conscience. It was an opportunity to channel creative ideas to produce
works that highlighted and responded to World Vision’s Make
Poverty History Campaign
The show was opened, by the Governor of Victoria Professor
David de Kretser,AO,
and his wife Jan de Kretser on the 19th July and ran for the next week to
the 28th.
Our president John Hunt was one of the judges of
this exciting and annual exhibition.
NAIDOC and Water
Health Life
The Vics also hosted the Water Health Life in the Cato Gallery until the 18th
July. This exhibition was run in conjunction with World Vision
sponsored Birrung Gallery. The works were especially
created by a number of contemporary indigenous artists. The proceeds from
te sales were sent back to aboriginal communities in Central and Northern
Australia.
The exhibition had a second run in McCubbin as support to Art 4 Aid.
These two exhibitions were an example of The Vics efforts
to broaden and support new and younger artists. Those were directions identified
by Council as fundamental to our ongoing need to be relevant and active in
the wider art community.
Even though the VAS AOTY Award Exhibition is a prestigious affair; one involving 30 or so artists who earn the privilege of submitting 3 works, I think Kathlyn Ballard in accepting her Honorary Life Membership of the VAS summed up what the Vics is all about. People, people, people (art, art, art).
And so to quote Paul McDonald Smith, "A most fitting recognition in respect of Mrs. Ballard's loyal service to the Society as President, former Councillor, Fellow and also her contribution to various bodies of the VAS over many years. Mrs. Ballard has maintained her VAS membership for over 40 years (Kath kindly pointing out 48!) and the Society has benefited from her demonstrable loyalty and committment to the highest standards in professional life".
Noel Waite spoke and presented the plaque before Kath beautifully and in true tradition had the last word - some sage appraisal and thanks.
The above account is an edited version from the outgoing President of the VAS John Hunt FVAS.
Another milestone occasion being staged at the Vics celebrating the Suffragette Movement through a unique event of
"Women painting Women" at the Victorian Artists Society
