Immersion: On Country
Artists: Beth Williams, Marina Strocchi
Immersion on Country is a visual story of the influence the landscape has on the featured artists. Each artist has responded to the timeless quality of Country and its changing moods - reflecting the light and the ephemeral nature of the surrounding farmland, bushland and hills which envelop our valley. Sometimes reminiscent of other landscapes, but always uniquely “home”.
This recent body of work is a response to living in the Yarra Valley. The journey between our home at Wandin North and our studio in Healesville is a meandering, narrow, country road traversing market gardens and vineyards. There is a balance here with the surrounding bushland hills; unusual in an agricultural setting. The raked fields of strawberries and the regimented vineyards create the patterns of nature that I gravitate to when working within the landscape. This area reminds me of my father’s country Emilia Romagna in Northern Italy.
Immersion on Country explores the relationship between myself as an individual and the place in which I live. The pieces negotiate the interconnectedness between the environment and self, and the way that my spirit soars when I feel deeply immersed in the land and sky. Many of the works depict the changing of light, as the day rises, or fades, and the sun sets, or the moon rises, and celebrate the sacred and magical experience of watching this change. I work in acrylic and oil on canvas. I add many layers of paint to build depth, intensity of colour, and texture, and I enjoy the visceral experience of movement and transfer of energy during the painting process, which I see conveyed in the energy of the finished works.
About Hargreaves Hill
Founders Simon, a classical pianist and Beth, an opera singer, music therapist and artist established this independent microbrewery in 2004. Inside a little shed on Hargreaves Road, Steels Creek near its namesake, they were brewing 400 litres at a time by hand. In 2009 the brewery was destroyed by the Black Saturday (2009) bushfires. Still, they have continued strong and now brew and distribute their collection across Australia from their facility in Lilydale.
Hoppy Pale Ale
With precise timing, carefully selected hops are added at different stages during the brewing process. This results in a distinct bright, citrusy and floral hop character, and adds a thirst quenching bitterness.
Dortmund Style Lager
At the heart of the brewing process is fermentation. When the perfect combination of yeast, malt, hops, temperature and time is mastered, a drinkable miracle happens. Subtle fruity notes and crisp mouth-feel make a super refreshing stand out beer.
Apple Cider
Originally created with Innocent Bystander it is a fresh, crisp cider made from real victorian pink lady apples and fermented with Champagne yeast. Refreshing, light and slightly tart cider that'll have you coming back for more.
Exhibition dates:
11 April - 12 May 2024
Gallery Hours:
Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm.
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