JANUARY

It is a new year and that probably means it is time to frolic in the wilderness somewhere in order to grasp a bigger view of the world and simultaneously a view of our miniscule part in that big picture. It is also time to scrub a few things clean, discard some rubbish and baggage accumulated unnecessarily, re-evaluate certain ideas, rethink plans, morph into an excellent person and buy new underwear. As usual first on that long list is get into the studio.

 I am pleased that one of my major Antarctic mixed media works now has a home at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. This work - Big beautiful dead place / Rafting sea-ice was created in 2009 at Mawson station with thanks to the Australian Antarctic Divisions Art Fellowship program during a very dark and chilly winter. Based on the ongoing natural deformation of the frozen sea seen a few kilometers off the coast as I strolled over the sea ice near Welch and Klung Islands. The title refers to an Antarctic book by Nicholas Johnson - Big dead place with my addition of the word Beautiful as the Icy continent is very far from dead although it may look and feel like it at times. Back to the studio now to prepare for what 2016 has to offer.