Sunday, September 20, 2015

Time in Townsville

Barry and I have just returned from four very full days in Townsville in Far North Queensland.

It was a mixed bag of a trip - family, friends, reunions, new friends and a bit of art tourism as well.

We started with a lovely visit to Sheree of Red Rag Press.  It was a wonderful few hours talking about books and presses and type. Her letterpress set up is amazing - she has saved so many machines and cases and drawers of type. I am sure we'll be back to talk and play some more.

I took this photo so I can remember I need to make/get made some storage like this for the lead spacing.


We had time for a wonderful walk along the headland at the Jezzine Barracks and were thrilled to discover that there were public art sculptures throughout this wonderful, landscaped walking space.

A lot of the artworks recognise the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land, the people of Townsville and the defence forces which have used and shared the land which is now in public hands again.

First Contact by Jill Chisolm.


The Gathering by Donna Maree Robinson and Tracey Johnson, looking through a glass porthole across to Magnetic Island.


Close up of markings in the rock in the piece Big Wind Coming by Stephen Newton, with Shirley Collins and Susan Peters.


The sun was too bright to photograph the brolga sculpture, so I grabbed its fabulous shadow on the concrete path instead. Brolga by Rurik Henry with Jeremy George.


I loved this guy. Crow by Rurik Henry


And then found this pair!


Detail from a ceramic post Jezzine Way by Jenny Mulcahy. I love the everydayness of this imagery.


And then in a mad dash through a fabulous second hand shop I came across this wee treasure.  How amazing.


I could have enrolled in the Writing and Illumination course; Barry could have attended Metal Work Smithing!


It includes this lovely map of central Edinburgh amongst many other beautiful plates.


Given we had so many events and commitments I'm quite amazed we got see so much gorgeousness. Good to be home though and settling back into life on the mountain.

10 comments:

  1. oooooo ----now I'm wondering if the 'tracey johnson' in your post is 'my' tracey (I have a uni/arty friend from up thata way ..... I'll have to ask her if she's responsible for the 'port hole' work!)

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    1. ooooohhh mystery! That porthole work was just stunning - it was all great and good for the soul.

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  2. What a wonderful trip you had! Can't pick a favorite...they're all amazing.

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    1. It was a bit of a chaotic whirlwind - but we managed this walk straight after a breakfast with folk and before another commitment - some lovely quiet wandering down-time...

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  3. Ah you were so close, but I do see that we shall meet up at Wrapt in Rocky, so I look forward to that. And I now also have some wonderful places to visit next time I am in Townsville. x te

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    1. Definitely head there next time you're in Townsville Trace - I highly recommend it. And yes, we just might be Wrapt in Rocky!

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  4. Wonderful crows! In fact everything is wonderful in this post. Townsville sounds like a great place to visit.

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    1. i loved those crows carol - they were part of an Aboriginal creation story in part too. It was a wonderful wander!

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