Today, the 4/6/2012, was the beginning of Artifacts Aired's installation. The staffs' collection of artifacts and other objects have finally arrived.
Our day began by painting the feature walls a lead colour. We found that this colour went well with the room and the artifacts that are being displayed.
After finishing the edging on the walls it was time to work out where the floating walls would be placed.
This was a long process, but we finally agreed on the placements of where they would stand.
Behind this last image we have organized a children's area. This acts as an education area, as well as somewhere for children to play while parents and/or guardians observe the gallery.
As the gallery was slowly coming together, we brought out the artifacts; even the staff came to set up their own collections. We placed the objects around the room and worked together to decide where they should be placed.
Some of these objects were only single pieces, framed and easy to place. Before the day was out we managed to frame a few others.
Today started off as slow. However, when looking back on the day's events, we all accomplished so much. It will be interesting to see what we finish tomorrow. Well done.
At FRONT ROOM GALLERY
582 Hunter Street, Newcastle West 2302
Located at Newcastle Art School, close to Civic & Wickham Stations, buses stop right out the front on Hunter Street, and plenty of on-street parking (free from 5pm.)
100+ metallic and plastic charity and poilitical buttons and badges, various sizes.
An ongoing collection spanning over half a century, purchased from 1950s - 2012.
Personal collection from family, activist and other sources, the badges relate to charities, and later causes over the past 50 years.
Badges, buttons and pins, from the collection of Stephen O'Brien
COLLECTOR | Stephen O'Brien
Library Manager at Newcastle Art School, has worked as an Australian volunteer librarian/documentalist for five years in Nicaragua, as a United Nations Volunteer librarian/media person/IT trouble-shooter with UNAIDS in Zimbabwe, and United Nations Volunteer electoral officer in East Timor, as well as being actively involved in social and political issues locally and internationally. Profile: Stephen O'Brien, ALIA
On the personal significance of the collection, Stephen O'Brien writes: "These badges relate to charities, and later causes over the past 50 years. I can identify the origin and maker of most of the collection."
These badges compliment a poster collection which O'Brien looks after and also occasionally exhibits.
To see this incredbile collection social and political artifacts up close and personal, visit us at the Front Room Gallery, June 6 - 21 2012.
Constructed from fibre & ochre, work is West Papuan in origin, and a modern construction of a traditional design. The piece was originally purchased by the Paulian society which supported communities by ethically collecting work by tribes people of Papua New Guinea.
The helmet features an extraordinary depiction of a series of heads within heads representing ancestor figures, and is one of a number of works collected by Tome, for their powerful designs and crafting.
Woven yam helmet, from the collection of Matthew Tome
COLLECTOR | Matthew Tome
Head teacher of Newcastle Art School, holds an M.A in Ancient History, B.A in Visual Art and practices extensively in painting, drawing, printmaking, with evidence of an interest in museological practices and archaeologist methods throughout his work.
Matthew Tome, Map of the World, 2010, tile and concrete, various sizes. Installation view from Brought to Light, John Paynter Gallery, image courtesy of Matthew Tome
On his 'Map of the World' work (pictured), Matthew Tome writes:
"I was responding to the canoe pool at Newcastle Baths. The works are based on the myth that under the canoe pool is a mosaic map of the world. I wanted to conduct a kind of archaeological artwork, where the material to support the myth is discovered. The historical reality is not as complex but just as interesting.
The fragments of tiles are remnants of the mosaic map of the world. They are of their time, not as ornate as a byzantine mosaic (this is not Ravenna after all) but not slick and modern either. They are perhaps the product of a civic folly, an amateur tribute of a massive scale. A few visitors to the exhibition took them to be real and wodered how I was allowed to take them and display them." Matthew Tome, about the work
For more on 'Brought to Light', a collaborative project exploring hidden sites around Newcastle, visit the Lock-Up Cultural Centre's website here: Brought to Light
To view more of Matthew Tomes past works visit his website here: matthewtome.com.au
And to view more examples of Matthew's collection of Papuan tribal crafts, amongst other incredible collections, visit Artifacts Aired at the Front Room Gallery, 6 - 21 June, 2012.
Auld & Grey is operated by Jennifer Auld, habitual collector with a great eye for 20th century antiques, rustic australian styles, depression era furniture and
lots more. Auld & Grey's magnificent space is also available for photoshoots and wedding photos amongst their amazing array of fabulous antique objects.
About half a dozen 16mm and Super 8 film projectors
Purchased between 1987 - 2012 from op shops and 2nd hand dealers.
A Super8 projector in action
On the personal significance of the collection, Neil Mansfield writes: "I started making films with super8 film in 1987, and made numerous experimental short films and alternative music videos with 16mm film in the 90's. My first feature film, Fresh Air, 1998, was shot on Super 16 film and featured numerous scratchy 16mm films-within-films that were shot on 16mm film then projected and re-shot.
Now, in the HD age, I have returned to the format I love. My last short film, The Owl in the Snow, 2010 was shot on B&W 16mm film with a wind-up camera in Alaska during winter and screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2011. And, I intend to keep working with 16mm film into the future."
Still from The Owl in the Snow, 2010, image courtesy of Neil Mansfield
COLLECTOR | Neil Mansfield
Film maker, Screen & Media teacher at Newcastle Art School, and seasoned collector.
Mansfield's extensive collection of cameras and projectors are not the only thing to make an appearance in his films. Streetsweeper, 2007, shot around Newcastle over four days is based around Mansfield's collection of found notes, lists, letters, photos, post-its, drawings, cards and other ephemera found on the streets and collected by Mansfield since 1995. See more on this incredible collection here: Found notes - Collected ephemera
"Neil Mansfield uses the found notes as props, while the text in the notes becomes the dialogue of unseen characters in Streetsweeper.
"It started about the time when I was making my first movie, in 1999," he says. "Without being too academic about it, I guess it's what archaeologists do, the go and they try and piece together what a society is like from the fragments that are left behind. I like that ephemeral thing that it's an insight into what's going on inside the houses that are around you."" - From Newcastle feature film debuts at international festival, Anthony Scully, ABC 1223
Trailer from Streetsweeper, 2007, Directed by Neil Mansfield
We are very excited to be able to exhibit some of Neil Mansfield's wonderful collections in Artifacts Aired. Be sure to visit us at the Front Room Gallery from Jun 6 - 21 to view these incredible examples of technological advancements up close & personal.
Florist Marrion Schofield has been operating Wilson's Civic Florist on Hunter Street for over 50 years. With her expertise, years as a fixture of Hunter Street, beautiful array of flowers and arrangements and prime location in the heart of Newcastle it's likely you've already been through her doors once or twice, but if you're in need of an apology, thank you, congratulations, condolences or just a gift, be sure to check out Wilson's Civic Florist.
Newcastle's Civic Theatre - looking down Hunter Street
Wilson's Civic Florist
384 Hunter Street,
Newcastle 2300
Just down from the Civic Theatre, across from Civic Station
We would like to sincerely thank Marrion at Wilson's Civic Florist for her generous sponsorship and for helping to make this exhibition possible.
