Calling all landscape artists to create historical document

ALL members of the wider community are invited to create artworks that depicts the landscape between Beaufort and Skipton, and down to Lismore, before the area fully changes with the addition of wind turbines.

Inspired by colonial landscape painter, Eugene von Guérard, Skipton’s Pat Gabb is hoping to create a historical record of the area as it is now, through art.

“He opened my eyes to the importance of history and recording,” Ms Gabb said. “I want to connect the community, open their eyes and allow them to be part of creating a historical document.”

She is encouraging anyone and everyone, of all ages and abilities, to take photographs, create paintings, drawings, sculptures, embroidery, movies, poems and stories about the countryside they see.

“It’s really exciting. I’m hoping people will learn the history of von Guérard, be part of creating history and I’m hoping there’s some young children who depict whatever they want to.

“Time is running out as the vistas in the western district are already slowly changing with industrialisation moving in,” Ms Gabb said.

Assumptions have been made that the project might be politically charged.

“That is so far from the truth. This is purely a community event recording important historical data for our future generations,” she said. “This is not anti-turbine, but it’s a positive, constructive, fun activity for the community.

“Children born this year will never know what it looked like before the turbines and huge powerlines. They have every right to know what they have lost.”

An exhibition of all artwork will be held in the Skipton Hall on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June before all pieces are photographed, put on a memory stick, and donated to the Skipton Historical Society.

Ms Gabb asks artists to secure their work to a heavy piece of paper or thin cardboard, if applicable to their medium, with the details of what viewers are looking at and the depiction’s geographic direction.

“This allows for future comparison when the wind development is completed,” she said. “There is no cost involved to be part of this project, we just ask for enthusiasm and commitment.”

The exhibition will be set up on Friday 14 June all day if artists, professional to amateur, are able to deliver their work. Dropping it off on the Saturday is also fine.

“We’ve got more history being created and we hope to open people’s eyes in other areas. Come and look what we’ve done and do it yourself!

“This project is about ownership, the community, the landscape and history prior to us. Start creating and be part of history,” Ms Gabb said.

Google Stockyard Hill Wind Farm If you are unsure where the turbines or powerlines are located. Contact Pat Gabb on 5340 2177 or [email protected] for more information or to make suggestions.