A new exhibition, Embracing the Craft: A Journey in Art, by Glenda Spiker, opens at Lemon Hill Gallery during Melbourne Cup weekend on Sunday, November 3.
The work is inspired by the natural elements of fauna, flora and water.
Glenda wanted to showcase some of the techniques that she has taught to art students in schools for more than 30 years. She has used painting, drawing, digital photomontage, printmaking and ceramic sculpture.
“I use photography as a starting point for my work. Looking closely at what the camera captures, I examine the key parts of the image and focus on representing a closer look at the bold colours and shapes that nature produces,” Glenda said.
Owner of Lemon Hill, Elizabeth Blakeman, described her work as fresh and inspiring.
Glenda is currently an art teacher at Bairnsdale Secondary College. She was previously head of the department and art teacher at Lakes Secondary College, and these two posts followed a teaching career in many schools including St Leonard’s in Brighton, Canberra Grammar School and Haileybury College in Melbourne, to name three of them.
She has exhibited her work in group exhibitions locally in East Gippsland and in Melbourne and Sydney, however, this her first solo show.
Glenda has a Bachelor of Education (visual art) from Melbourne University and had previously studied a Diploma of Art and Design in Ceramics at Prahran College.
“It is interesting to know how well and how broadly art teachers were trained,” Elizabeth said.
The Saxy Beats will play sax and bodhran in their unique style at the opening, a cuppa and lemon slice will be available. Any of Glenda’s art students, past or present, would be welcome.
“This is the last exhibition in Lemon Hill Gallery for 2024,” Elizabeth said.
“It has been an intensely interesting year, showcasing acrylic paintings of Australian landscapes, beadwork reflecting on bushfire, watercolours marking moments in a long-life lived internationally, pencil sketches celebrating the connection between grandparent and grandchild, an appreciation of woodworking skills that espoused recycling and re-purposing, and even a collection of glamorous stiletto shoes.
“Next year promises to be as good,” Elizabeth said.
For further details check the Public Notices in today’s Lakes Post classified section.
