OCTOBER

Melbourne is in its predictably changeable spring weather mode, football fever has ended for this year and droughts are on the horizon. It is a busy city but there seems to be always time for a drink at a pub or café. The opening of my Intransit show at William Mora's Gallery was a bit of a reunion as there were many people there I had not seen for over ten months. This is primarily a work on paper show displaying drawings done in Antarctica, Asia and Australia.

My preparations for the second expedition to Antarctica are still underway which includes Medical and psychological tests, collection of appropriate art equipment, a polar training course, sponsorship and media negotiations, sorting out a cameraperson and planning some of the work I hope to create down on the Ice this austral summer.

A cameraperson will join me in November heading 5000klm south of Tasmania to Davis Base. On the voyage and in Antarctica we will be making a documentary film with the help of producer Tony Wyzenbeek in Melbourne.

Last week I was busy with the Melbourne Art Fair as my art dealers from Melbourne, Amsterdam and Hong Kong were all involved. This was a great opportunity to talk shop and also see a massive amount of contemporary art from the stockrooms of eighty galleries.

Next jump for me is to relocate to Hobart where the final Antarctic preparation will occur.