Island Fringe – a Bribie Perspective
Wednesday 3 April to Sunday 28 April 2019
Official Opening Saturday 7 April at 2.00pm
all welcome, light refreshments, entry free
Bribie Islanders – They’re Different!
You can’t help being an artist on Bribie. The intake of breath as you pass over the Bribie bridge is known to locals as ‘The Bribie Knock”
Away from endless traffic and boring suburbs, the first sight of turquoise water, bobbing boats, pure white sandy beaches and of course the pelican sentries on each light post just takes your breath away.
Nature surrounds and informs the islanders’ daily lives and has produced a thriving art community centred on the stunning Community Art Centre and Matthew Flinders Gallery (BICAS), now celebrating its 30th year.
One of its liveliest and most experimental art groups is crossing the bridge to Redcliffe and exhibiting at the Redcliffe Art Society the Old Fire Station Gallery during April.
Contemporary Art Practices formed 4 years ago and show yearly as ‘Eclectica’. Membership is much sought after largely because of the packed programme and lively sense of fun. A successful showing last year at Vianta, Beerwah will be repeated this year plus a joint exhibition with a Maleny Art Group and a Wearable Art showing in March at the Mathew Flinders Gallery.
None of the artists are beginners, all boast diverse art training and expertise. Members include a number of art teachers, tutors and art prize winners, pushing the boundaries in painting, glassblowing, jewellery making, textile art, wood carving, sculpture and pottery.
How are they different? An island home affects artistic expression, whether this is heightened awareness of the natural world, cares about pollution, a feeling of isolation from the mainland or the effect of having 360 degree access to water – these are the daily parameters that shape this exhibition. Islanders care for the nesting turtles, the pods of dolphins and dugongs and migratory birds from all parts of the world.
‘Island fringe: a Bribie Perspective’ is a reflection of both where they live and how they view the world from the far northern reaches of Moreton Bay. Bribie has long been a haven and inspiration for artists – this is Ian Fairweather country, and an island life guarantees a unique outlook.