12noon, Saturday 4 June
‘Work’ is a significant word in an artist’s world – it is the thing they do as well as the thing they make. Artists work at creating artworks. There is also a third way of using the word ‘work’ that can be attached to many artists; they apply their art as a way to work through the significant events in their life.
Henrietta Manning is a highly accomplished artist who has been widely exhibited and awarded, and has undertaken several Artists’ Residencies. Please join Henrietta, in conversation with curator Seán Kelly, as they discuss the realities of a life spent working in, on, and with art.
The Work:
Contrary to the romantic notion of an artist’s sex, drugs and rock & roll lifestyle, the life of a practicing artist is usually one of self-discipline, long hours and a lot of hard work. Henrietta will talk about the realities of working as an artist; what is it really like to paint through the night in unsafe derelict buildings? How can you negotiate access to off-limits spaces? How do you do more than just ‘scratch the surface’ of a closed-off community when you undertake a residency?
The Work:
Seán, who curated Henrietta’s exhibition, has noted that her paintings sit within the well-established, figurative tradition. Henrietta describes her style as ‘contemporary realism’. In this talk they will discuss techniques, influences and the different methods of painting.
The Work:
Through art, many artists manage and process significant events they experience, in a sense they ‘work through their life’ through art. This is particularly true of Henrietta. The most compelling example of this is when, at fifteen years old, she found her mother dead. Her immediate response to this event was to paint her mother. Whilst not always overtly biographical, Henrietta’s paintings depict deeply personal subjects; griefs, life, death, love and reveal much about her life. Henrietta and Seán will discuss the life events related to Henrietta’s paintings on display.
This complimentary Artist Talk is held in connection with the exhibition Henrietta Manning Selected Works, currently on display. This survey show has been curated to introduce the body of Henrietta’s works to Tasmanian audiences. The exhibition is free to enjoy and runs until Saturday 11 June.
Read more HERE
Moonah Arts Centre
