Art News

A Painting Fit for Portia

Local artist Fran Tomlin has once again shown her prowess with the paintbrush, with her portrait of art dealer Michael Nagy being one of 57 paintings hung in the 2002 Portia Geach Memorial Art Prize.

Fran's portrait was chosen from 310 entries for the highly prestigious Portia Geach Art Prize, and the same portrait narrowly missed out on being hung in this year's Archibald Prize.

"It's like when people go up to receive an Academy Award and they say just being nominated is enough - it's just enough to be hung in the Portia Geach," Fran said. "It's like being told I'm going in the right direction and every bit of encouragement you get as an artist is fantastic. Painting is an inner journey and a very solitary pursuit, so to be recognised this way is such a joyous thing and a great pat on the back. I feel extremely honoured."

Fran will give an artists talk at the S.H Ervin Gallery in Sydney (where the Portia Geach is hung) on October 20, and with two other artists she will discuss her painting in the context of 'figures in the art world'.

The oil and acrylic painting of Michael Nagy was included in her latest exhibition Self Portrait @ 48 at the Lismore Regional Art Gallery. She is currently working toward a new solo exhibition for the Maree Mizon Gallery in Sydney next year.

Adorning Art

A new exhibition featuring all manner of handmade treasures, Adornamentals, is now on show at the Roxy Gallery in Kyogle.

Created by Kyogle artist Lynda Clark and Doubtful Creek artist Angela Froud, Adornamentals features a myriad of colourful creations that can adorn any home. While Lynda is a fabric artist and Angela is a jewellery maker both women have skills in other fields.

Some of the items on display include handmade silver and bead jewellery, glass beaded lampshades and bottles, crazy patchwork, funky rag rugs, felted dolls of all shapes and sizes, leather shoes, intricate scarves and heaps of other adornments.

Lynda will display some of her fantasy Fairymount folk - mermaids, butterflies, flowers and other things that glow in the dark to delight the eyes - while Angela will also have some vintage and antique beads on display from her bead collection.

The exhibition runs until October 16. The gallery is situated at 143 Summerland Way, Kyogle.

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