Orange artists say goodbye to the era of Electrolux

When Jola and Phil first talked with Electrolux reps regarding an exhibition using the factory as inspiration for artworks, they didn't imagine the amazing results that would happen. Everyone was enthusiastic and took their time to fully consider how best to represent the materials as 'ART'

The results have left many of the attending audience bemused, amused and surpirsed. Indeed, one fellow told us that "CCChas some terrific artists who have shown just how creative minds can utilise otherwise useless materials and turn them into something special and new."

The exhibition is now over, but everyone who attended, and there were many have expressed how good this show has been.

So for others to share in this, we provide some photos of the show here.

Liam Dunne with his production graph inspired table leg.

Joy and Bev look through Fayah's looking glass of mosaic

Lanny MacKenzie takes packing strap and other assorted materials and turns them into objects of desire.

From factory floor to basket! Another work by Lanny

Paintings of factory life, painted fridge doors and sculptures were just some of the techniques featured in the show.

Fayah's manipulated images above and below, modern and inspired.

Lanny displays her talents in a number of woven works.

Painting by Ikuko Fujisawa "Interface', the point between danger and safety

Aileen's fun factory in a vegetable cooler

Phil turns factory detritis into amazing lights

Copper and metal sculpture by Natalie Reid

A work by Denis Bradley

and another by Wanda Driscoll

This has been a lot of hard work by a number of dedicated artists to help celebrate 70 years of an integral part of Orange life, the Electrolux factory now due for closure and the loss of many jobs and training areas. So many people have had jobs in this factory over the years and it is a sad day to see it go but unfortunately, it is the way of the world now as people are replaced by robotics.

One does wonder where we go from here...... personally, I feel that we need to return to valuing the handiwork and craftsmanship of local people once more and rebuild a community on valuing each other.

Sculptor and Artist, Aileen creates a strong presence

In an excellent show of colour and strength, Aileen Francis has created an imposing presence in her new mural at the Pilates and Movement Therapy Studio! Her mural depicting the human body in a series of poses which feature the lines and curves of the musculature of fit bodies now covers the wall of the gym.

The mural has brought a new feeling to the gym according to the owner. She said that Aileen's strong artwork has given the gym a wonderful feeling of comfort, warmth and colour while at the same time, provided the patrons with a great artwork to ponder while they strike their own forms.

A great launch today happened with champagne and strawberries raise in a toast to Aileen and her hard work.

Aileen Francis is one of our Colour City Creatives studio holders and our exhibitions regularly display her wire works of the human body.

Winer scenes

John Da Rin took some winter photos of rare beauty, the type only an artist who has a story to tell can take.

could also have been taken by a man who is just going home after a night shift....

could he be both men?
.......... that could explain a few things :)

July update

Gosh time just goes, it goes, it just goes :)
We're all busy, mostly hiding from the cold that winter brings. But sometimes winter brings us snow and that wonderful white stuff makes the chilblains almost worth while :)
While Phil and I were in Sydney working that magic moment came and thank goodness Liam was able to capture our Barracks building looking absolutely gorgeous.

Nepal

This is a different kind of post, in a way creative but more humanely and practically focused than any other.

Jane Tonks one of our kind hearted creatives is spreading the word about a young man who grew up in Orange and who is raising funds to rebuild earthquake affected small communities in Nepal. http://www.gofundme.com/takingnicktonepal
This is part of what our dear Jane wrote: " He is a carpenter and will be totally funding his own way to Nepal, giving his time for free and just needs help with material costs for building. 100% of all donations will be used to help!!!  I know that artists are very thoughtful and caring people and because I know this young man personally, I thought I would share this story and link with the CCC community to give others the opportunity to reach out."

I can't imagine going there to help, because I can't imaging how I could be helpful, but I do want to help and this is a way that is connected and locally linked..... so check it out and if you too can help.....

this is Nick with a friend

Part of what Nick says: "...I will self fund the trip to get over there and back. I will be paying for my own food and accommodation and literally 100 percent of whatever money is raised will go towards Nepal. There will be no administration costs or any other hidden costs! I will be purchasing tools over In Nepal (also from my own money) and then donating them to a local Nepalese community that is in need of them.

The money I do need however which I don't have is the money for materials to rebuild homes over there. For 200 Australian dollars I can reuse a lot of materials from the debris and use that 200 to purchase mortar and fastenings such as screws and bolts.

By no stretch of the imagination do I know everything there is to know about building, but I do know more than enough to help Nepal out. I know I can help them but I cant help with them without the help of all of you. So please, If you can, donate and together we can all do something good in this world.

I've included some attachments of practical buildings that have been designed by a group of students and engineers over in Nepal based on the assessment of available recoverable debris and affordability of materials. These designs are specifically for more rural areas as in the big cities the building technique is concrete and bricks. I want to focus my attention on the small areas though as to the best of my knowledge from my contacts over there, it is those areas that wont see any attention for a while as most agencies will be focusing on rebuilding the major cities first to reestablish its economy."

 

Electrolux Exhibition 24 - 29 August 2015

An important member of this region is closing it's doors in 2016. Electrolux has been part of the Orange community as employer and supporter for over 70 years and the factory closing will have a profound effect upon this area.
Mark O'Kane current General Manager is pivotal in organising a celebration week to capture the spirit of the factory's many years of manufacture in Orange.
He is seeking the interest of local artists to participate in an Electrolux themed art exhibition to be held at the Skill Centre between 24 to 29 August 2015.
There will be 2 parts to the exhibition, an initial exhibition featuring the schools of the area, followed by a major exhibition of art by established artists.
The second part will involve creatives being supplied with panels of uniform size to echo the factory theme, with sculptors having the option of floor space for their art and some artists being invited to paint fridge doors. The fridge doors will be attached to the appliance which will be auctioned for charity and posterity.
Mark wants the exhibition's objective to capture the spirit of the Factory's 70 years of manufacturing through paintings, sculpture and painted refrigerators. So that long after the physical presence of the factory is gone, it's memories will be forever held in artworks.

Electrolux will provide prizes comprising of their excellent products for the chosen few. The works will be judged a member of the Orange Regional Art Gallery, a member of Electrolux management team and one of the factory employees.
If you are an artist of the Orange area and want to take part, contact Colour City Creatives now, August is just around the corner!

We've been on a factory tour to get some inspiration, here's some of my photos:

last Thursday but can organise another soon.