Barbara Oehring Photography

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Wildcards - Bill Henson shuffles the deck

Wildcards - Bill Henson shuffles the deck
Monash Gallery of Art
1 February - 30 March 2014

The opening of the exhibition Wildcards - Bill Henson shuffles the deck took place on a very hot Saturday 8 February 2014.

A friendly welcome.

Yifang © Barbara Oehring 2014

Bill Henson is a long-time supporter of the gallery and ex member of the Committee of Management of MGA. He has, for the first time, curated an exhibition of Australian photography.

Henson has selected 88 photographs from MGA's collection covering the history of Australian photography. It includes two albumen prints c. 1870-80 by Fred Kruger and Darren Sylvester's 'On holiday' 2010. Norman Lindsay is well represented and so are Mark Strizic, David More and Wesley Stacey.

Jan Minchin, director of Tolarno Galleries, Melbourne talks with her artist Bill Henson in front of Joachim Froese's 'Rhopography #20'.


Bill Henson and Jan Minchin © Barbara Oehring 2014

Bill Henson's opening remarks centred around the importance of the individual's experience when looking at a work of art. Admirers were happy to get a chance to speak with him afterwards.

Wildcards - Bill Henson shuffles the deck

Monash Gallery of Art
860 Ferntree Gully Road
Wheelers Hill Victoria 3150
Telephone +61 3 8544 0500
T-F 10am-5pm S&S 12-5pm

More details and information on the exhibition can be viewed here: http://www.mga.org.au/exhibition/view/exhibition/140

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Future Memorials at TarraWarra Museum of Art

I explored the two current exhibitions 'Russell Drysdale' and 'Future Memorials' at TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville. I particularly appreciated 'Future Memorials'.

The project, commissioned by TarraWarra Museum of Art, explores the effects of colonialism on Wurundjeri people and seeks new ways to understand and renew the relationship between the past and the present.

FUTURE MEMORIALS involves the Sydney-based Wiradjuri-Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones, Melbourne-based non-Aboriginal artist Tom Nicholson and Senior Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy AO.

Tom Nicholson's Towards a monument to Batman's Treaty 2008-2013 comprises 101 A0 sheets on the museum wall and 3456 used bricks collected from citizens around Healesville.

Jonathan Jones with Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy after William Barak
untitled (shield design) 2013

The architecture and the landscape delight.

Future Memorials
until 9 February 2014
TarraWarra Museum of Art

311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road,
Healesville, Victoria, Australia
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 11am to 5pm

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Australian Open 2014 - Rod Laver Arena

A friend took me to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open at the beautiful Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on 22 January 2014.

The match between Swiss Roger Federer and Scottish Andy Murray was won by Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3.

When we entered the arena just after 7pm the roof was closed. By 7.20pm the roof started to open. I loved the effect with the blue sky gradually showing.


© Barbara Oehring 2014

By 8.14pm the sun was setting.

Roger Federer during his quarter-final with Andy Murray.

By 9.03pm.

It's 11pm. After the match Roger Federer is congratulated on court by former World No. 1 professional tennis player Jim Courier from the United States.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Isabel Foster Retrospect - The Challenge of Colour

The Challenge of Colour exhibition runs at Burrinja Gallery in Upwey from 14 December 2013 to 16 March 2014.

I was delighted to accept an invitation to the official opening of Isabel Foster's retrospective exhibition at Burrinja Gallery on 14 December 2013.

Neil McLeod © Barbara Oehring 2013

The exhibition was opened by long-time supporter Neil McLeod of Neil McLeod Fine Arts Studio and Burrinja exhibition curator JD Mittmann.

Isabel Foster has a passion for colour. Over her 45 year career she has created a body of work which shows her lifetime's devotion to needle and thread. Her textiles are bright, bold and bizarre.

The exhibition features embroideries, weavings, tapestries, patchworks and 'crazy' knitting.

The 92-year-old artist is interviewed by Tim Smith and Burrinja's Melanie Berry.

The exuberant Isabel Foster.

Isabel Foster © Barbara Oehring 2013

Isabel Foster Retrospect - The Challenge of Colour

14 December 2013 – 16 March 2014

Free Guided Tours

Tues, Thurs and Sat 11am

Burrinja Gallery

Cnr Glenfern Road and Matson Drive
Upwey VIC 3158
Phone: 9754 8723

Open Tuesday to Sunday
10.30am to 4.00pm

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Wurundjeri Stories at Bukkertilibul

Reconciliation and Landcare supporters joined the Wurundjeri women at the Bukkertilibul Dreaming Site on 25 October 2013. The site at Wittons Reserve in Wonga Park is considered to be the birthplace of William Barak.

I felt privileged to attend this very moving ceremony. I was granted permission to photograph aspects the event.

The Wurundjeri women make their entrance.

The Wurundjeri women and girls leave for the secret ceremony.

Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Bill Nicholson gives an explanatory talk.

The women return.

A traditional Welcome to Country ceremony follows.
It is a happy occasion.

Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Di Kerr
© Barbara Oehring 2013

Cr Jennifer Yang, Mayor City of Manningham
© Barbara Oehring 2013

The Wurundjeri girls show the visitors a traditional dance.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Sorrento - Queenscliff Ferry Trip

A Spring day in October - what better time to take the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff?

The ferry service links two of Melbourne's beautiful coastal regions - Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula and Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula.

It was a short walk from our hotel to Sorrento Pier and Ferry Terminal.