In Loving Memory – Sally Curry
Published 2 January 2025
Dear Friends,
Our dear artist and friend, Sally Curry passed away peacefully on Friday last week, 22 November, in the loving care of her two daughters, Rowan and Jess.
Reflecting on this wonderful woman whom I have had the honour to know for the last 18 years, she has brought so much joy to so many through her art.
Sally was a gentle but strong and independent woman and sculpted the most wonderfully diverse figures out of earthenware clay, building each figure by hand.
The figures, many of which were woman, were mediative, alive to the world of nature, to dreaming and myth-making.
Sally also believed in the sanctity of our planet and her work often highlighted “causes” like bleaching of our barrier reef or the plight of refugees.
There were also Forest Creatures, Pan, dancing lovers, angels, a series of readers, but mainly beautiful women with luscious hair and brightly coloured dresses.
Her artistry was inspirational. As soon as her sculptures found our window display, clients, tourists, and passers-by would be lured into Handmark to purchase or register interest in Sally’s work.
Sally had a friend drop the last of her sculptures to us just last week.
One was called “Universal” and it struck a chord for me. This beautiful Sally Curry “lady” with her dark sculptured hair and painted dress will stay above the counter at Handmark and look over our staff, artists and clients. We will be reminded of Sally, her strength, her gentleness and her artistry on a daily basis.
Go in peace Sally. You will be very missed but your work will continue to bring enormous joy to many.
Allanah Dopson
Director
The Wonder of McWilliams― Survey Exhibition at QVMAG
Published 2 January 2025
Image courtesy of The Examiner. Image credit: Phillip Biggs.
Friday last week, the Handmark team witnessed the most remarkable exhibition at Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston.
Gentle Protagonist: Art of Michael McWilliams is a survey exhibition celebrating Michael’s extraordinary arts practice spanning over 40 years, thoughtfully curated by Shane Fitzgerald, Director of QVMAG.
To say the exhibition is epic is to be understated. The two large galleries upstairs at QVMAG are full to bursting with paintings, furniture and smaller items.
I thank the many Handmark collectors who loaned their precious works.
The exhibition runs until March 2025 and I absolutely implore you to put this show in your diary.
No words can really express how proud we are of this ‘gentle protagonist’ – for his passion, his attention to detail, his love of the environment which he expresses so beautifully and sometimes controversially in his work, his technical ability and his showcase of our wonderful Tasmanian birdlife, wildlife and …of course keeping the Thylacine alive and well in his paintings.
We look forward to Michael’s exhibition at Handmark Gallery in Hobart opening on Friday 21 November, 2025. Until then…please don’t miss the opportunity to witness the wonder of McWilliams.
Allanah Dopson
Director
sarah farquhar-still ― new jewellery
Published 16 December 2024
Just in time for Christmas, we introduce the newest member of the Handmark family – jeweller extraordinaire, Sarah Farquhar-Still. Informed by her passion for history, Sarah’s wearable art is bold and beautiful.
A student of archaeology before moving into museum curation, Sarah melds old world form with contemporary minimalism. Since moving to Launceston four years ago, the layered history of the city’s urban environment has been her inspiration. Floral motifs that decorate Victorian terrace houses are a recurring theme.
For Sarah’s inaugural Handmark collection, we enjoy striking sculptural pieces crafted from recycled silver, including blackened and 24-carat gold plated. In her Field Notes Necklace the fleur-de-lis pattern, common on balustrading, is given a decidedly modern twist. While blackened pendant earrings are dotted with small pearls – new buds of spring growth.
Sarah is passionate about using recycled metals: “A decade ago I started playing with metal on the dining room table and couldn’t put them down. I love the way metals can be melted down and re-used again and again to create something goes on to live many lives.”
Sarah Farquhar-Still’s inaugural Handmark jewellery collection is on show at the Gallery.
tyrus mason — black spinel range
Published 16 December 2024
In an ode to his father – the late Tasmanian jeweller and Handmark stalwart, Phil Mason – Tyrus Mason has released a beautiful collection built around a rare Tasmanian gemstone, Black Spinel, which is now on show at the gallery.
Tyrus spent 30 years by the side of his father honing his craft. A year after Phil’s passing, he is now ready to continue the family legacy, but with his own unique flavour “My jewellery continues the strong Mason signature style that is instantly recognizable. But it also feels like I have finally found my own groove and I am ready to look forward,” Tyrus explains.
Along with his famous Tasmanian Killiecrankie diamonds, Phil Mason also championed Black Spinel, a love affair that has been passed onto Tyrus. This magnificent jet-black stone found in Tasmania’s remote north-east is very hard wearing and prized for its amazing ability to reflect light. “Also known as ‘Black Jack’ it is one of my favourite gemstones and doesn’t break the bank!”
Tyrus delights us with earrings, rings, and pendants set in 18 carat gold dripping with Black Spinel. A gothic flavour enhances the jet-black stone perfectly. “I have chosen a round, medieval rose cut which acts like a mirror ball reflecting light.”
Tyrus Mason’s Black Spinel Range jewellery collection is on show at Handmark Gallery.
anna fitzpatrick ― ‘sydney to hobart’
Published 16 December 2024
One of our great summer rituals is the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. The excitement; the passion; and even the danger of this blue water classic bursts into life on Anna Fitzpatrick’s canvases.
Timing is perfect. Just six days out from this year’s race, Anna will unveil a stunning new collection in her Sydney to Hobart exhibition. Dramatic with many large in scale, her paintings depict this iconic event in all its glorious vibrancy. “I wanted to create a great sense of celebration and joy,” Anna tells us. “As an intuitive and spontaneous painter, I throw myself into the unknown which also brings a great energy.”
A birds-eye view, and simple forms in bold splashes colour, brings this glorious summer race to life. In Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour, we look down on sparkling water as yachts jostle on the starting line. But it’s also the frisson of danger that commands Anna’s attention. In Crossing Storm Bay three small yachts battle huge swells. “This race is a fearless voyage into the unknown where sailors pit themselves against the elements. They are lion hearts.”
We also have the spectacular finish as a flotilla of boats trails the winner up Hobart’s Derwent. As a golden summer sun dips below the horizon, Anna takes us to the summit of Mt Wellington/kunanyi for an unforgettable view. “This race is embedded into the Australian psyche.”
Anna Fitzpatrick’s Sydney to Hobart Exhibition will run at Handmark from December 20 until January 13, 2025. Register your interest to receive a preview.
save the date ― ‘art pop-up and festival feast’
Published 4 December 2024
As the Christmas season gets into swing, add a special date to the diary. On Friday December 6, Handmark is serving up a festive feast of dining and art at the Clarendon Arms in Evandale.
Spending a day – or even better, a weekend – in the gloriously bucolic village of Evandale always showcases Tasmania at its best. Now, you have the perfect excuse to do just that!
For some Christmas cheer, Handmark is holding a special Summer Salon with all your favourite artists, enjoy drinks and music, then stay for an unforgettable dinner of fabulous local produce, at Evandale’s historic Clarendon Arms Hotel.
If you haven’t experienced the hospitality of Lydia Nettlefold you are in for a treat. She has curated a special menu for the night, and that alone makes the trip worthwhile. Add in fabulous Tasmanian art and this is a must-do. Living interstate? Why not fly in and enjoy an unforgettable weekend in Tasmania’s glorious Northern Midlands.
Handmark’s Summer Salon opens at 5pm on Friday December 6 at the Clarendon Arms in Evandale. Call the Clarendon Arms on 03 6391 8181 to book.
Melanie Mccollin-Walker — Upcoming Exhibition
Published 4 December 2024
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Mandy Renard ― ‘She Who Became The Sun’
Published 4 December 2024
Mandy Renard explores the full gamut of emotions in her new exhibition She Who Became the Sun. Apart from striking female figures, she also takes us on a deeply personal journey.
Since her last Handmark exhibition in 2021, Mandy’s life has changed irrevocably. Her beloved mother passed away, and her youngest child is ready to flee the nest. Not surprisingly, the themes of ‘transformation’ and ‘becoming’ inspired this body of work. “It felt natural to make an inventory of treasures from my time with these loved ones, acknowledge their impact and presence on my life, while also envisioning what’s next,” she tells us.
Mandy’s loss is laid bare in Hold me Closer, as a mother and daughter cling to each other: “Eventually, we all become our own mothers and learn how to guide and hold ourselves.” But we also feel joy in the vibrant red print, The Fruiting Body, where Mandy reminds us: “Everyone who has ever loved you is part of you no matter what. Hold them as treasures.”
While Mandy explores her inner self in this exhibition, she also hopes it will spark us to explore by “feeling inspired about our place in the eco-system of life and getting excited about dreaming up potential and possible futures.”
Linda van Niekerk ― Reflections: 20 Years On
Published 14 October 2024
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Helen Mueller— Forest Stories
Published 14 October 2024
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