Artist compelled to tell a story in Beauty and Tragedy on Fraser Shores at Butter Factory Arts Centre
Noosa Council's Butter Factory Arts Centre presents: Beauty and Tragedy on Fraser Shores, reimagining the Eliza Fraser saga, including paintings of Fraser Island by local artist and author, Judith Laws.
The magic and intrigue of Fraser Island is shown through the expressive and vibrant paintings of Judith Laws. Glowing colours of turquoise, emerald green, reds, oranges and golds of the perched lakes and the scribbly-gum forest with the flash of a brilliantly coloured parrot's wing, and coloured sands and cliffs, Judith Laws has always been fascinated by the Eliza Fraser story and was compelled to show a female insight into this woman's tragedy. Her interpretations in paint on canvas and vibrant pallet does not show Mrs Fraser as a romantic figure but rather as a brave, ordinary woman weighed down by circumstances beyond her control.
Members of the community are welcome to celebrate the combined official launch of the book: "Face of Tragedy" by Rex Backhaus-Smith and the opening of the Beauty and Tragedy on Fraser Shores exhibition, at the Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, on Friday 22 August at 6pm. Special guest speaker Jane Caraffi, (Gallery Director, Art on Cairncross) will officially open the show. All welcome, cash bar available. RSVP gallery@noosa.qld.gov.au or phone: 5329 6580.
The exhibition continues until Saturday 11 October, 2014. The community is invited to attend the following events programmed throughout the duration of the exhibitions:
Public Programs:
- Exhibition Guided Tour and morning tea: Friday 29 August, 10am.
Join a guided tour and gain an insight into the artist and her work, exploring selected pieces. Free, bookings required, all welcome. RSVP: gallery@noosa.qld.gov.au - Time for Tots Storytelling: Wednesday 3 September, 9.30am
Free, exhibition-related art activities follow a guided tour for tots. Held in conjunction with Cooroy Library. - Book Launch at Cooroy Library, Thursday 11 September, 11am-12.30pm
Celebrate the launch of the book: Face of Tragedy, written and compiled by Rex Backhaus-Smith, featuring the vibrant paintings of Judith Laws, currently on display at the Butter Factory Arts Centre. RSVP: Cooroy Library, 07 5329 6555. - Get Creative: Saturday 20 September 10am – 12noon
A series of free, family orientated art activities at the Butter Factory Arts Centre. Be inspired by the latest exhibition then spend time creating your own piece with family and artists. All ages welcome. No bookings required. - KidsArt@BFAC, Tuesday 23 and Tuesday 30 September, $8 per person, bookings and pre-payment essential on: 5329 6145
Exhibition related art activities follow a guided tour for tots. Held in conjunction with Cooroy Library. - Project Eliza – creative writing responses facilitated by Dr Sue Davis, Saturday 6 & 20 September, 10am-2pm, $10 per workshop, bookings and pre-payment essential on: 5329 6145
Participants will be invited to respond to Judith Law's art works in the Beauty and Tragedy on Fraser Shores exhibition, to create their own creative writing pieces. Working in the genre of creative nonfiction, they will combine personal responses and factually based information into work that may be shared dramatically. They will be guided through a process of responding, creating and sharing.
Participants are also invited to bring along their smart phone or tablet and publish directly to a PlaceStories web-based project. They also have the option of participating in a promenade presentation of writing generated throughout the time of the exhibition to accompany the rehearsed reading of Figments of Eliza on Friday 26 September.
- Figments of Eliza + Promenade Presentations Performance, Friday 26 September,
Rehearsal workshop, noon-4pm, followed by promenade performance, 5.30pm-7pm
$10 per person, bookings and pre-payment essential on: 5329 6145
This presentation will include a promenade performance of writings generated from the Project Eliza workshops and responses throughout the exhibition and a rehearsed reading of Figments of Eliza featuring Sunshine Coast performer Mary Eggleston. Figments of Eliza was written by Dr Sue Davis, as part of the Sunshine Coast NeoGeography project in 2010 following several months of research and blogging in the role of Eliza Fraser.
The Butter Factory Arts Centre is located at 10 Maple Street, Cooroy and is open free to the public from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday from 10am to noon. For further information about exhibitions and events, phone the centre on 5329 6580.
19 August 2014