Grand heritage buildings inspire Old Dames

THE city’s grand, public heritage buildings have been transformed into imposing women of substance in the exhibition now showing at The Old Butchers Shop Gallery, Soldiers Hill.

The Grand Old Dames of Ballarat showcases the work of professional fine jeweller-turned-painter Charmaine Channells.

“I have tried to capture the buildings’ personalities in the personalities of The Dames,” said Channells who spent the past two years, on and off, painting as a way to overcome injury and illness.

Each portrait incorporates design elements from the buildings, while The Dames’ names and personas play with the purposes of the historic sites.

“I had fun with their names,” Channells said.

There is, for example, Wanda for the Railway Station, Prudence for the Town Hall, Madge for Her Majesty’s Theatre and Minni (drawn from Minerva) for the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute.

Channells said she is stickler for detail and hopes all who make The Dames’ acquaintance will notice design elements that pay homage to the buildings and to skilled craftsmanship.

Alongside the paintings, Channells’ exhibition includes a three-dimensional sculpture of Dame Fortune in reference to the City of Ballarat itself.

Dame Fortune’s hands were modelled on Channells’ mother’s hands, and in keeping with the show’s symbolism, they clutch a gold nugget.

The exhibition is part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival program until 24 May. The gallery is open weekends 12pm to 4pm or by appointment.

The artist invites commissions from anyone who would like to see a property anthropomorphised in paint.