Sculpture by the Sea 2013 – A Photo Montage, TSL Style

Tags

Alison McDonald, Andrew Rogers, Art Photography, Bev Goodwin, Bondi, Coral Collective, David McCracken, Elyssa Sykes-Smith, Francesca Mataraga, Kathy Holowko, Ken Unsworth, Mikaela Castledine, Photography, Qian Sihua, Richard Tipping, Sally Kidall, Sculpture, Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney, Tamarama, The Winged Collective, Toshio Iezumi, Yunghsu Hsu, Zero Higashida

‘Flow’ by Alison McDonald
Up-cycled plastic lids, cable ties
(Images by TSL)

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. (Thomas Merton)

So, as mentioned yesterday, here’s this year’s edition of Sculpture by the Sea – TSL style.  Small admission: LM took all the pics for our Sculptures walk this year. He did a much better job than I would have!

And, of course, the most fabulous ‘Horizon’ by Lucy Humphrey was featured yesterday. So, today you get some of the other works on show…

Do let me know your favourite?

‘Start’ by Richard Tipping
Reflective tape on aluminium, galvanised pole
(Image by TSL)

‘A Shared Weight’ by Elyssa Sykes-Smith
Recycled timber
(Images by TSL)

‘Diminish and Ascend’ by David McCracken
Aluminium
(Image by TSL)

‘East of the Mulberry Tree – the Legend of the Ten Red Crows’ by Mikaela Castledine
Crocheted polypropylene, steel frame
(Image by TSL)

‘m.130901’ by Toshio Iezumi
Float glass
(Image by TSL)

‘Bubble no: 5’ by Qian Sihua
Painted stainless steel
(Images by TSL)

‘Inori Angel Prayer for Peace’ by Zero Higashida
Stainless steel, gold leaf, pine
(Image by TSL)

‘A Tale of Romance’ by Kathy Holowko
Reclaimed timber
(Image by TSL)

‘Fetch’ by The Winged Collective
Morrored Alucobond
(Images by TSL)

‘A to B’ by Francesca Mataraga
Wood, paint, steel
(Image by TSL)

‘Nomadic City: Lest we Forget’ by Sally Kidall
Bamboo, plastic, string, hessian, soil, seed, solar lights
(Images by TSL)

‘Folded 3’ by Andrew Rogers
Bronze
(Image by TSL)

‘Coral’ by Coral Collective
Plywood, recycled polypropylene
(Image by TSL)

‘2012-11’ by Yunghsu Hsu
Clay ceramic
(Image by TSL)

‘Polyrock’ by Bev Goodwin
Polynesian leis, foam rings, wire, cable ties
(Image by TSL)

‘There’s Many a Slip ‘twixt the Cup and the Lip’ by Ken Unsworth
Form ply, steel, skeleton
(Images by TSL)

Great art picks up where nature ends. (Marc Chagall)

The Sculpture by the Sea exhibition runs from 24 October – 10 November 2013. It really is a spectacular exhibition and well worth a visit. Promise!

Sculpture by the Sea 2013 – Horizon by Lucy Humphrey

Tags

Art, Art Photography, Artist, Bondi, Carl Maria von Weber, Lucy Humphrey, Lucy Humphrey Studio, Photography, Sculpture, Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney, Sydney Coastline, Tamarama New South Wales

‘Horizon’ by Lucy Humphrey
Sculpture by the Sea 2013
(Image by TSL)

An artist’s sphere of influence is the world. (Carl Maria von Weber)

LM and I rose with the birds yesterday for our annual trip to the always fabulous Sculpture by the Sea. We look forward to it every year – the location along Sydney’s Bondi to Tamarama coastline is stunning, and the free event makes art accessible to everyone in such a wonderful way. This year, we were not disappointed.

After days of sunshine and hot weather, yesterday dawned overcast and moody. Good day for walking the coast line checking out the art work…

Every year, there are one or two stand out pieces. Sculptures that strike a chord with seemingly everyone. This year, that piece was Lucy Humphrey’s ‘Horizon’.

‘Horizon’ by Lucy Humphrey
Sculpture by the Sea 2013
(Image by TSL)

A large acrylic sphere filled with water, and on a steel, timber and masonry base, ‘Horizon’ reinterprets the surrounding view when seen through the liquid within the perspex.

The artist’s statement reads: “Horizon is a site-specific sculpture that celebrates the surrounding natural environment. Using water as a sculptural material, the work will temporarily transform the viewer’s experience of the site, as a monument to the coastal landscape and the constant line of the horizon.”

And, ‘Horizon’ does celebrate the surrounding environment. Even at the early hour that LM and I were there, people seemed transfixed by Lucy Humphrey’s work. I know I fell in love with it… What do you think?

‘Horizon’ by Lucy Humphrey
Sculpture by the Sea 2013
(Images by TSL)

Lucy Humphrey is a Sydney-based architect and artist. She is the founder of Lucy Humphrey Studio and cofounder (with Claire McCaughan) of Archrival, a non-profit organisation that aims to unite the creative community through different projects.

The Sculpture by the Sea exhibition runs from 24 October – 10 November 2013. Do get along to see it if you are in Sydney.

More on Sculpture by the Sea tomorrow…

The Perfect Gift for Dog Lovers – ‘Quake Dogs’

Tags

Animal Photography, Book Review, Books, Boston Terrier, Chihuahua, Christchurch, Christmas Gifts, Dog, Dwight D. Eisenhower, French Bulldog, Gifts, Gifts for hard to buy for people, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador, Lord Byron, New Zealand, Photography

‘Quake Dogs’*
Text by Laura Sessions
Photography by Craig Bullock
(Image from Furtography)

What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight – it’s the size of the fight in the dog. (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

‘Quake Dogs’ will make you melt…

At 12.51pm on Tuesday, 22 February 2011 a magnitude 6.3 earthquake severely damaged New Zealand’s second-largest city of Christchurch, killing 185 people. It followed an earlier ‘quake of 4 September 2010 which caused significant damage to the region, but no fatalities.

‘Quake Dogs’ is a dog’s perspective of surviving the Christchurch earthquakes. The book is made up of a series of stories about individual pooches and what they went through.

100 dogs, 2 cats and a chicken were photographed for the 68 stories in the book. And as sappy as I know it sounds, each one is more engaging and heart-warming than the last… Honest.

Cilla
(Image from Furtography)

Cilla, the Boston Terrier, may have slept through the big ‘quake, but the many aftershocks caused her great anxiety and apparently her hair started falling out, and she lost a lot of weight.

She has since moved to just north of Auckland where she lives with her owners and new best friend, Oakley, the French Bulldog.

Jet
(Image from Furtography)

Jet, the Labrador, was collected by her owner’s daughter after the 2010 quake. She developed separation anxiety and was able to anticipate aftershocks.

When the big 2011 quake hit, she was alone outside and had to wait, surrounded by liquefaction, for three hours, teddy in her mouth, until her owner could get home. Fortunately, her separation anxiety is much better now.

Chloe
(Image from Furtography)

Chloe, the Chihuahua, lives with Caiou (a Greyhound) and Little (a Labrador). When the big quake hit, the dogs were home alone. Apparently, their house was like the inside of a washing machine on spin cycle…

To avoid being crushed by a falling cabinet, Little smashed through a glass door and received a nasty glass cut on his head. Caiou and Chloe followed him and they all huddled in the garden together until help arrived.

Today, Chloe has proved the most resilient of the three pups, although she is small enough to fit in a hand-bag, so this may be a contributing factor!

The poor dog, in life the firmest friend. The first to welcome, foremost to defend. (Lord Byron)

My Mum sent me my copy of ‘Quake Dogs’. I just love it.

Written by Laura Sessions (who has two dogs – George and Mildred) and photographed by FURtographer Craig (who has no dogs, but three cats – Jazz, Mr Tinkles and Millefeuille), part of the proceeds from the book go to support HUHA, a national organisation that works to rescue and re-home animals around the New Zealand.

If you have a dog lover in your life, they will love this book! The book has been such a success that it has sold out BUT new stock is expected by 2nd December (in time for Christmas!). You can order through the Furtography website (payment through Paypal) and the book will be sent to you. AND, you can even get a personalised dedication… All for NZ34.99!

*Guinness, is the face of ‘Quake Dogs’ – in New Zealand he became a very familiar scruffy face and appeared regularly in the TV news updates. The enormous, shaggy Irish Wolfhound became the pin-up boy for the Student Volunteer Army and was awarded a medal for his work with their rescue effort.

Shoot the Chef – My Favourite Part of Good Food Month

Tags

Anthony Bourdain, Australia, Chef, Cook, food, Food Photography, Good Food Month, New South Wales, Photography, Photography Competition, Shoot the Chef

Ali and Osso Buco by John Mcrae
2013 Shoot the Chef Winner of Critics Choice
(Image by John Mcrae from here)

I’m a decent cook; I’m a decent chef. None of my friends would ever have hired me at any point in my career. Period. (Anthony Bourdain)

It’s Good Food Month here in Australia. In reality, it’s good food month every month here at Casa TSL, so it really makes little difference to LM and me.

And, I can’t really enjoy the Night Noodle Markets as they should be enjoyed because of my wee gluten problem…

But, what I do love is the annual Shoot the Chef photography competition. Professionals, students, (and for the first time in 2013) amateur photographers are invited to literally shoot a chef – with their camera. It always attracts some seriously creative food-loving photographers…

(Image from here)

Say Hello to my little Friend by Teodora Tinc
2013 Shoot the Chef winner of Peoples Choice Award
(Image by Teodora Tinc from here)

Blood and Bone by Steve Evans
Chef James Viles from Biota Dining
(Image by Steve Evans from here)

Shannon Debreceny of Three Blue Ducks by Daniel Sponiar
(Image by Daniel Sponiar from here)

Betty by Lauren Yates
Self portrait in honour of Betty Crocker
(Image by Lauren Yates from here)

If you’d like to see all the entries to the competition, The Star is exhibiting in Sydney from October 10 – 31 and the Rialto Towers has the honour in Melbourne from November 1 – 29. 

I may just see you there…

Lucy Gauntlett’s ‘Sweet As’ Mixed Media Art

Tags

Art, Auckland, Bach, Kiwiana, Lucy Gauntlett, Mixed media, New Zealand, New Zealand Art, Peter Jackson, Photography, Vacation property

‘Sweet As’ by Lucy Gauntlett
(Image from here)

New Zealand is not a small country but a large village.(Peter Jackson)

In New Zealand, the ownership or use of a bach (or, ‘crib’ if you hail from the South Island) is almost part of our cultural heritage. And, for the initiated, a bach is an unassuming, sometimes even rustic, holiday home.  

My parents have a bach about an hour’s drive north of Auckland. And, when I say ‘bach’, I mean a modest-yet-lovely wee house nestled into the bush.

The last time I visited, my Dad was talking ‘bach refurbishment’ with me. He wants to spruce the place up a bit, without spending too much money.

So, I’ve had bach refurbishment on my mind… And, I quite like the ‘Kiwiana nostalgia’ feel that Lucy Gauntlett’s work evokes in me.

New Zealand based professional photographer & graphic artist, Lucy Gauntlett specialises in creative New Zealand limited edition landscape photography, large-scale panoramic landscape photographs and prints of local New Zealand scenery. While these range from rugged West Coast beaches to edgy graffiti ridden streetscapes, my favourites are from her hand painted fruit and vegetable signs that she photographed and layered.

Perhaps I’m just feeling sentimental, but I think some of these pieces might be quite nice at the bach…

“Market Kitchen I’ by Lucy Gauntlett
Available in sepia, black and inverse
(Image from here)

‘Market Kitchen II’ by Lucy Gauntlett
Available in sepia, black and inverse
(Image from here)

‘Sign of the Times’ by Lucy Gauntlett
(Image from here)

Or, for something with less Kiwiana but even more of a retro feel, this kitchen aid poster could be just the thing for the kitchen…

‘Kitchen Aid’ by Lucy Gauntlett
(Image from here)

For a more complete look at Lucy Gauntlett’s work, check out her website here, or visit Clever Bastards – they have a great range.

Julian Wolkenstein Horses Around…

Tags

Animal Photography, Art, Design, Horses, Interior design, Julian Wolkenstein, Megan Morton, Pets, Photography, Rachel CAstle, The School

Julian Wolkentein’s ‘Florence’
(Image from here)

A horse is a thing of beauty… none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendour. (Xenophon)

Sometimes, I’m a little behind the eight ball. Sometimes, it takes me a while to catch on. Clearly. This is one of those times…

I was having a mooch around the School*, that most fabulous site that is the brainchild of the lovely Megan Morton. To be honest, I was looking for Rachel Castle’s next screen printing class (It’s on 15 March, 2014, if you’re interested!) and then I found these splendiferous wee horsey pics by the talented Julian Wolkenstein. I kind of love them.

That is to say, I kind of love them, despite the fact I don’t fall into that ‘I love horses‘ camp that some girls belong to. They make me smile.

Julian Wolkentein’s ‘Misty’
(Image from here)

Apparently, Mr Wolkenstein had the idea of experimenting with horses’ manes after a conversation with another advertising mate.

With a background in advertising photography and used to working with a very specific client brief, Julian also thinks, “It is important to do personal projects just for fun, not to sell anything, but just to remind you why you make images, but mostly, and simply, to make you smile.”

Julian Wolkentein’s ‘Harmony’
(Image from here)

Apparently, each horse took around four hours to groom, with hair extensions being added by hair-stylist Acacio da Silva. Wow!

You can order prints of Julian’s horses from The School. They come in 3 sizes: 

The small print is 20cm x 26cm and retails for $125

The medium print is 42cm x 52cm and retails for $580

The large print is 72cm x 102cm and retails for $1,250.00

*If you live in Sydney (or Melbourne or Auckland! – there are road shows!) and consider yourself the teeniest bit creative, it’s illegal not to know about the School. If you don’t happen to live in the region, it’s still worth a look-see. I’d quite like to be like Megan Morton when I grow up…

Karen Walker’s Eyewear For All Ages…

Tags

Advanced Style, Alexa Chung, Beth Ditto, Claire Danes, Eyewear, Fashion, Jennifer Lopez, Karen Walker, Karen Walker Eyewear, Liv Tyler, Natalie Portman, New Zealand, Photography, Sienna Miller, Sunglasses, Zooey Deschanel

According to the ubiquitous Wikipedia, the clothes of oh-so-talented Kiwi designer, Karen Walker have been seen on many, many celebs including Lady Gaga, Björk, Sienna Miller, Natalie Portman, Alexa Chung, Beth Ditto*, Liv Tyler, Rihanna, Claire Danes, Zooey Deschanel and Jennifer Lopez.

That’s all well and good, but I reckon’ Ms Walker’s latest collaboration with Ari Seth Cohen and his über stylish women of Advanced Style wearing sunglasses from her Karen Walker Spring 2013 Forever Campaign are just the bee’s knees. It trumps any celeb’ sighting in my book. Check these out and see what you think…

Karen Walker/Advanced Style Collaboration
(All images sourced from Advanced Style)

The Karen Walker Spring 2013 Forever Campaign stars Ilona Royce Smithkin, Joyce Carpati, Linda Rodin and Lynn Dell. The range hits stores sometime this month. If you’d like to see more of these great images, Advanced Style has a MUCH bigger selection here.

*Note to self, if Beth Ditto has worn Karen Walker pieces, then you are definitely neither short nor too round to consider them…

Leila Jeffreys Is No Flaming Galah…

Tags

Australia, Bird, Birds, Budgie, Christmas, Cockatoo, Galah, Gift, Jonathan Adler, Leila Jeffreys, Photographer, Photography, Shopping, Sydney, Tim Olsen Gallery

‘Queenie’, the Galah Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)

galah

n
1. an Australian cockatoo, Kakatoe roseicapilla, having grey wings, back, and crest and a pink body
2. Austral slang a fool or simpleton

When you first arrive in Sydney (and possibly all of Australia, for that matter) one of the first things you notice are the birds. Both colourful and noisy, Australian birds are hard to ignore. Their cries start as the sun rises and seem to go all day…

Perhaps one of the most noticeable types of bird are the cockatoos. Until I came to Australia, I had only ever seen a cockatoo in the zoo. Here in Sydney, they are everywhere and they have bold and loud personalities.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)

Leila Jeffreys is developing quite the following for her bird photography, and when you see her work, it is easy to see why.

Leila’s love of birds has led her all around Australia and the world. She has photographed and helped scientists study endangered birds on Christmas Island; she has been welcomed into the world of pedigree budgerigar ‘best in show’ bird competitions; and she has photographed migrating birds across Europe.

She recently exhibited her Biloela – Wild Cockatoos body of work at the Tim Olsen Gallery which threw a bright spotlight on Australia’s incredibly beautiful cockatoo.

She says, “Now that I’m an adult, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing than spending a day with some birds, getting to know them, them getting to know me and finding a way to cut through our differences until we’re left with one animal photographing another”

If I had a talent for photography and a passion for birds like yours, Leila, I think I’d feel exactly the same way…

‘Seisa’, Palm Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys) 

‘Neville’, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)

If you’d like to learn more about Leila Jeffreys and her cockatoo series, or perhaps check out her budgie series (which was good enough for Jonathan Adler), you’ll get access her site here.

Tim Olsen Gallery still has available works of Leila’s for sale, too. What a Christmas present…

Marc Gafen – PhoDOGrapher

Tags

Australia, Dogs, Gifts, Pet Photography, Pets, Photography, Sydney, the Phodographer

(Image © Phodographer)

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.(Anatole France)

In case you haven’t worked it out yet, Bella the poodle is part of our wee family here in Sydney. She is much loved (and she knows it). I’m thinking she deserves a spot of her own on the photo table.

I did some googling and I came across this dude. Marc Gafen, the Phodographer. Whadda’ you reckon? should we see about getting a session?

(Image © Phodographer)

(Image © Phodographer)

(Image © Phodographer)

(Image © Phodographer)

Marc Gafen is apparently a notorious dog lover, an ward-winning photographer and editor of Australia’s professional photography magazine, Capture. He created the Phodographer business in 2008 to combine his love of photography with his love of four-legged friends.

The only question I have is, could he beat this image taken by LM…?  (Quite probably! I’m just a tad biased)

(Image by TSL)

The Phodographer has a studio in Rosebery, Sydney. You can e-mail him at marc@thephodographer.com.au.

Dog Wisdom IV

Tags

Charles M. Schulz, Charlie Brown, Dog, Dogs, Pets, Photography, Poodles, Quotes, Reflection

Bella 
(Image by TSL)

Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There’s so little hope for advancement. (Charles M. Schulz)