JOHN Andrews is used to sharing his exhibition space with fellow artists and his current show, The Tangled Forest, due to open at Gloucester Gallery, is no exception.
He will be joined by artist, Andrew Coombes, as well as Krambach band, The May Leaves.
The May Leaves are former fellow Krambach Public School students Emme Moulds, Jake Moulds (who both attend Gloucester High School), Holly Webb (Wingham High School) and Dahli Reid (St Clare’s High School, Taree).
They’ll be performing their first serious gig at the exhibition opening on Friday, March 3 at 6pm.
This will be John’s third showing in the Gloucester Gallery; the past two exhibitions have been shared with Gloucester photographer, Wendy Fraser but as she was unavailable this year, John will be sharing with Andrew Coombes.
Andrew will be exhibiting his hand-crafted timber furniture, produced out of his Bundook studio.
John will be showing his representational and semi-abstract acrylic paintings inspired by nature, featuring mainly trees, complementing Andrew’s work.
“I’ve had a compulsion to paint my whole life,” John expressed.
“I paint and then I forget about it.”
He explained how his wife, Anne is the driving force behind getting his exhibitions up and running; John just loves to paint.
Growing up in Mount George developed John’s passion for the outdoors.
“I’ve always been a farmer,” he said. “I really love the country.”
He explained how it takes a while for him to find the inspiration for a painting, but once he gets comfortable he’ll make a few sketches and maybe take a few photos before heading home to paint.
John’s exhibit is part of the Mid North Coast Creative Ageing Festival, an innovative event which acknowledges the valuable role that seniors play in our community and highlights the importance of engaging in the arts and creative activities to foster good health and wellbeing as people age.
The festival offers opportunities for older people to participate in the arts through exhibitions, performances, film screenings, dance, workshops, discussion groups, networking and sharing of experiences and information.
Across the region, Arts Mid North Coast will showcase more than 55 events with 15 or so across the area from Tea Gardens and Gloucester to rural and small communities such as Upper Lansdowne and Coomba Park to the major centres of Taree and Forster Tuncurry.
The full festival program will be found online at www.midnorthcoastcreativeageingfestival.com.au
Wingham Chronicle
