The 11th Images of Tasmania exhibition in the Salamanca Art Centre’s Long Gallery (no photos allowed) is stunning and is well worth a visit. Open 10am - 6pm every day except christmas day  until January 4.

Iona Johnson’s work, Nightscapes: An Exploration of Nocturnal Phenomena in Print is showing in the Salamanca Art Centre’s Top Gallery and is open 9-5 weekdays until January 2.

The introduction of colour into her abstract nightscapes is a marked difference to previous work

where shapes and forms almost seen, almost comprehended

seem to leap out of the dark background

Iona says, “This body of work is concerned with the experience of the night environment as a place where we apprehend things differently. More sensate ways of being become dominant and I am interested in conveying how this feels…objects dissolve and are perceived in fragments. I consider that this responsive and sensitive yielding to the environment, to our surroundings, embodies a useful approach to our being in the world”

Make sure you make the time to study and immerse yourself in this work.

Friday 21 November was the opening of John Ingleton’s MFAD examination exhibition at the Sir James Plimsoll Gallery at the Centre for the Arts in Hobart. It was opened by Professor Noel Frankham who co-ordinates the Coursework Masters program.

Photographers Jake Thomashow and James Da Costa, shown here with John’s signature “Bee Dance” print, are also part of this examination exhibition which is open daily from 12-5pm until Sunday 30 November.

John’s work, titled “Bee Dance or, The Consequences of Collecting” consists of eight individual but related pieces which consider the collecting practices of the early French explorers and their environmental consequences for contemporary France.

The body of work includes lithographic, screen, woodblock, drypoint and digital print mediums on paper, acetate and perspex.

“Collection 2 (cartographic)” is based on patterns derived from images of five of the 1000’s of plants collected.

“Collection 2” (detail) each panel carries an example of coastal maps drawn by the French and a contemporary description of the plant in French

“Collection 3 (Bibliographic)” a series of book forms which utilise bee shapes within a fleur-de-lys to reference Napoleon’s emblematic use of the bee to replace Bourbon iconography

“Collection 3” (detail) the bee shapes are filled with partial drawings of plants as well as portions of French coastal drawings of Australia

“Swarm” bees transfer genetic material between plants just like human collectors who transport and propagate plant material. Unfortunately this process can sometimes become problematic when plants are transplanted from their usual habitat.

“Swarm” (detail) each bee form consists of paper and acetate glued together. The paper prints include details of plants as well as coastal drawings and map references. The acetate is screen printed with an organic texture

“Herbarium” a series of light boxes which reference the practice of collecting and storing plant material

“Herbarium” (detail) Eucalypt

Sarah Robert-Tissot sent through some action photos from the opening night of Pressings at the Sidespace Gallery.

It was a very successful exhibition for all the participants and we are busy planning the next year of events for Hunter Island Press. Thanks Sarah for the snaps - lovely!

Opening night at the Sidespace Gallery in Salamanca Arts Centre was busy for the Hunter Island Press members and guests. Janelle and Pippa enjoyed the evening with an opening talk by HIP President Yvonne Rees- Pagh.

The framed works are a wonderful diverse collection of printmaking styles and methods either produced in private studios, at the University School of Art or at the Hunter Island Press facilities located at Wirksworth House in Bellerive. The exhibition has its last day tomorrow, November 17th, so don’t miss this annual showcasing of members current work.

A big thanks to Gaby for organising the event!

The annual members exhibition is open from Monday the 10th of November at the Sidespace Gallery in the Salamanca Arts Centre with an opening on Tuesday the 11th at 5.30pm. Open daily from 10am to 5pm, the show will continue until Monday the 17th.

Work will be for sale in the exhibition and a wide range of print techniques have been used in this collection of recent works. We hope you can join us on the opening night or throughout the exhibition for this popular event.

Pippa is having an exhibtion of recent works at the Entrepot Gallery this month. Opening on Thursday night, 6th of November,  at 5pm the show will feature work Pippa is developing as part of her University studies. Entrepot Gallery is located at the entrance to the University of Tasmania School of Art in Hunter Street.

Patricia and Charles Zuber have been busy renovating a church in Franklin and have now opened their fabulous gallery space to the public. Coming up in November is an exhibition of work by Glenda Orr and Michael Schlitz. Opening on Wednesday with Senator Bob Brown at 7.30pm this promises to be an excellent marriage of work by these two artist who focus their interest in the natural environment.

The Church Studio is located at 3408 Huon Highway, Franklin, Tasmania and the show continues until the 2nd of December.