OPEN STUDIOS
In the 30 odd years that I lived in Melbourne, I did undertake a few Open Studio experiences but in the first 4 months in Perth, Susan and I had three such adventures. Firstly we explored the Stirling area, north of the city including suburbs such as Karrinyup and Innaloo. Next was our new area, the City of Melville which covers suburbs from Palmyra to Applecross. Our most recent version was out of the city, down to Mandurah, Pinjarra and Dwellingup.
For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, an Open Studio is an opportunity to visit artists in their homes or their studios, usually arranged by a local council. You can spend a day or a weekend driving around seeing art, often unexpected and beautiful art, that is being created in the suburbs.
Although the event is free (apart from petrol costs), it’s not cheap because neither Susan nor I can resist supporting artists and buying work. This is something we shouldn’t be doing because we did give away a lot of art before we left Melbourne and shouldn’t be accumulating more but as I say to justify such extravagance, I’m not buying “stuff”, I’m providing an income to creative people. Our collection now includes new forest and ocean paintings, prints and ceramics, jewellery and a jarrah platter.
It’s fascinating to meet the makers who are eager to tell their story. And it’s challenging to politely back away out of people’s houses if you don’t particularly like their work and have nothing positive to contribute. We’ve been in mansions overlooking the Mandurah canals and tin sheds in industrial areas. Every artist in Karrinyup seems to have a two story house with ocean views but there are also people working in modest sheds at the back of equally modest houses.
 |
| Mandurah Canals |
Pinjarra, 84 kilometres from Perth has a charming historic precinct full of old buildings, many of them housing artists. What you don’t get told in that space is the story of the Pinjarra Massacre early in the colony’s history when a group of Binjareb Noongar people were killed by the settlers in response to the competition for land.
Another place with a challenging history is Fairbridge Farm School where many child migrants were sent during the 20th century. The apologies have flowed in recent years to people who were abused and falsely told they were orphans. The expansive grounds contain many of the original wooden buildings where you can stay.
To get to Dwellingup, you drive a further 25 kilometres over the plain and up into the beginnings of Jarrah and Marri forests. The beauty of the forests are balanced by the plainness of the town which was rebuilt after extensive bushfires in 1961 plus the knowledge that just around the corner is the biggest bauxite mine in Australia.
Mandurah itself is WA’s second biggest town. The estuary waterfront has been developed quite tastefully with cafes and restaurants and a performing arts centre and gallery. You still see some of the old beachside fibre shacks from days gone by but for the most part, the town is full of well presented houses from the 1970s onwards when retirees from Perth first started to change the nature of the small fishing village.
We stayed in a suburban AirBnb. We knew that we were getting the downstairs of the house but didn’t realise that our front door was also our host’s front door and that we’d be able to hear their conversation, their TV, their creaking floorboards and smell their boiled vegetables. None of the reviews had mentioned that, nor had their mentioned the crucifixes and prayers that adorned the walls. On a more positive note, the place was spacious, light and clean and our beds were comfortable.
I confess, I’ve never stayed in a suburban environment were there were signs warning you about kangaroos crossing the road.
If you have never undertaken an Open Studios journey, I can highly recommend it as a great way of exploring new neighbourhoods and even where you live. It also fills your day with the colour and care of artists.
Comments
Post a Comment