Artists embrace Beauty & Fear in local landscape

AN exhibition called Beauty & Fear which brings together recent work by artists Robert Hirschmann and Andy Pye - who share a profound connection with North East Victoria and its landscape - will open at the Wangaratta Art Gallery in December. Together, the artists demonstrate a deep affinity for the natural world - the mountains, boulders, waterfalls and birdlife captured in Andy Pye’s vibrant paintings on canvas and board, or the night sky lit and framed by an iridescent moon in Robert Hirschmann’s gestural paintings and drawings. Amidst the awe-inspiring beauty, the artists acknowledge the inherent fear and untamed power of the bush – celebrating a place where beauty and terror are inextricably linked. Eldorado local Andy Pye is known for his expressive depictions of the Australian landscape. His tree-dense landscapes capture the sounds, life, and movement of the bush, often painted "en plein air" within the landscape itself. Andy Pye has exhibited extensively both locally and interstate and has works in private and corporate collections in Australia, the USA, Canada, France and the United Kingdom. Robert Hirschmann’s work considers the landscape through expressive abstraction. He marks, rubs and reworks his large-scale paintings and works on paper, sometimes over years, repeatedly revisiting works to continue his exploration of subject. Hirschmann’s work has been selected for numerous group exhibitions across Australia, and he is represented in numerous state, regional and corporate art collections including Art Gallery of New South Wales and Wangaratta Art Gallery. Wangaratta Art Gallery director Rachel Arndt said the exhibition is sure to be a dynamic and vibrant feast for the senses. “Both artists approach the Australian bush with vastly different, yet connected, approaches," she said. "Both use a dramatic palette to convey the formidable forces of nature that shape the landscape, or skyscape, and recognise the potential danger, or the dark, that lies therein. "Yet the exhibition will also capture the artists' capacity to convey tranquil serenity, in luminous and delicious colour, alongside this power. "Visitors are sure to be captivated by the artists’ striking use of colour, the scale and the energy of the works.” Robert Hirschmann and Andy Pye will be in conversation with gallery director, Rachel Arndt on Saturday, December 16 from 2pm at Wangaratta Art Gallery. The talk will be followed by the opening reception from 2.30pm, including the official opening by MAMA Murray Art Museum Albury head of curatorial and collections, Michael Moran. All are welcome, with free tickets available by visiting wangarattaartgallery.com.au * What's on in brief Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos play tonight MIDNIGHT Oil frontman Peter Garrett and his band The Alter Egos, featuring Midnight Oil's Martin Rotsey, will play at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre tonight as part of the Always Live celebration of contemporary live music. Peter continues to make new music and returned to live performance this year with a handful of special appearances in support of a forthcoming solo release. Don't miss your chance to see Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos at 7.30pm, with limited tickets available now at wpacc.com.au. * Lighting of Christmas Tree on Friday night THE community is invited to join the Rural City of Wangaratta for the Lighting of the Christmas Tree and the Christmas Scramble scavenger hunt on Friday. Visit the Wangaratta Kiosk on Reid Street at 6pm to collect your Christmas Scramble scavenger hunt map, then follow the map to discover letters hidden throughout the shop fronts of Wangaratta. Collect the letters, decode the secret message, and discover where to collect your prize (and also go into the draw for a chance to win local store vouchers). At 6.30pm everyone will congregate at Riverside Square in Faithfull Street where there will be food and drinks available to purchase, kids activities and maybe even be a visit from a VIP guest, before the lighting of Wangaratta’s spectacular Christmas Tree later in the evening. * Eldorado Gold Flag Trail this weekend THE community of Eldorado and surrounds will host its annual Gold Flag Trail Day this Saturday, with a dozen participating businesses and attractions to fly their gold banner and open their doors. Organised by the Eldorado Tourism Business Group Inc and supported by the Rural City of Wangaratta, the event aims to give visitors and locals the opportunity to meet the growers and makers and check out what the region has to offer. It runs from 10am until 4pm with a brochure and map available at participating businesses including wineries, farms and art studios. * Free outdoor cinema fun in December PANGERANG Community Hub will bring some outdoor cinema and all-ages fun to Whorouly, Wangaratta and Cheshunt in December, with the screening of movie ‘8-BIT Christmas’. It will kick off at the Whorouly Recreation Reserve on Friday, December 1, with gates open at 5.30pm and food and drinks available for purchase, plus lots of fun activities for kids. Screenings will also be held in Apex Park in Wangaratta on Friday, December 8 and at the Cheshunt Hall on Friday, December 15, also starting at 5.30pm, with all welcome and entry free. * Christmas choral delights LOCAL vocal ensemble Vocal Dimension will present "Our Christmas Favourites", a collection of Christmas themed choral delights, at the Benalla Uniting Church hall on Saturday, December 9 and at the Wangaratta Uniting Church hall on Sunday, December 10. The choir will perform a program of both much-loved and lesser-known works, including Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols, directed by LouAnne Stabb and accompanied by Margaret Phillips. The performances start at 7.30pm and admission is $20 at the door which includes a complimentary supper. * CWA Festive Fair for Christmas THE Country Women's Association North Eastern Group Festive Fair will be held at the CWA Hall in Templeton Street on Sunday, December 10 from 10am to 1pm. CWA branches in Barnawartha, Moyhu, King Valley, Wangaratta and Whorouly will have a variety of Christmas goodies for sale including baked goods, handmade items, jams, chutneys, jellies, sauces, plants, cookbooks and more. There will also be a Devonshire Tea available featuring their famous CWA scones. *

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