North-west based Artist Ritchie Ares Dona has been working with students taking part in the 26TEN literacy and numeracy program to develop an artwork for the 2017 Ten Days on the Island Festival.
In a class that specialises in applied learning, students have been working with Ritchie and a range of tutors to create an artwork that will feature 80 000 silver triangles made from recycled packaging including chip packets and coffee bags supplied by McDonalds South Launceston.
Steven Nicholas, McDonalds’ South Launceston licensee said, “We love our local community and want to help out wherever we can. When we heard of Ritchie’s plans we knew we wanted to be a part of it. As a business we strive to promote sustainable business practices, and we love that Ritchie has created something beautiful by reusing our packaging.”
In collaboration with 26TEN, students have been assisting Ritchie to create the components of the installation and as part of this process have been learning the mathematics behind creating this work of art including resource flow and the geometry around the creation of the triangles.
Jess Panday from 26TEN said, “The students all enjoy working with Ritchie, I think a lot of them had a pre-conceived notion as to how an artist might act or behave but Richie breaks those stereotypes and allows them the opportunity to discover more about themselves and to develop their confidence and skills in a really fun environment.”
This is the second time Richie has worked with the Launceston LINC using discarded items. “I want people to understand that you don’t need to use expensive items to create something beautiful. It’s the idea and the execution that makes the artwork,” said Richie
The artwork will be displayed in The Atrium of the Burnie City Council in Wilson St.
The Ten Days on the Island multi-arts program will be presented statewide in March 2017
and will feature 80 events across 38 locations, in 25 council areas with performers from 15
different countries. The program will also give voice to 56 Tasmanian artists and arts
companies and will premiere 23 new works.
Artistic Director David Malacari said. “The Festival has been a catalyst for creativity and the
arts in Tasmania for more than 15 years and the 2017 Ten Days on the Island Festival will
again provide Tasmanians around the state with unforgettable creative encounters.”
“Ritchie is one of our talented, emerging visual artists. His work with discarded materials
speaks of a unique voice in how to find beauty in the redundant and mundane.”
For the complete Ten Days on the Island Program visit www.tendays.org.au
Robert Catchpole Manager Marketing and Community Engagement
