Handmark presents the Flinders Quartet at QVMAG to celebrate Michael McWilliams
Published 19 February 2025
Handmark Gallery celebrates artist Michael McWilliams, with an intimate concert by the acclaimed Flinders Quartet set amongst his extraordinary exhibition ‘Gentle Protagonist’ at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston.
Michael McWilliam’s survey of 100 works at QVMAG recognises the extraordinary contribution he has made to the Australian art world. As one of Tasmania’s most loved artists, his distinctive and quirky landscapes, are also imbued with a more serious undertone of the human impact on our natural environment.
Flinders Quartet:
Elizabeth Sellars, Wilma Smith, Violins, Helen Ireland, Viola and Zoe Knighton, Cello.
Program:
Fanny Mendelssohn – String Quartet No.1 in E flat Major (1st movement)
Deborah Cheetham Fraillon – “Bungaree”
Dvorak – String Quartet No.14 in A flat Op.105
Why not view the Glover Prize along with Handmark’s Annual Landscape Exhibition at the Clarendon Arms in Evandale, and then join us for this special concert on Sunday 16 March, at 2pm. Tickets are limited and available through Eventbrite for $80 (inclusive of booking fee).
Inaugural Event — Handmark Concert Series
Published 2 February 2025
The captivating paintings of Alex Wanders, on show for his Gleanings exhibition, will be the perfect backdrop for our first event.
A long-held dream of Handmark Director Allanah Dopson becomes reality on February 20: “Art and music talk so beautifully to each other,” she says. “We are about to present our first of four concerts, and to mark the occasion, join us for the premiere of Dean Stevenson’s String Quartet No. 1, The Monster and the Lake.”
Composer, pianist, singer and bass player – the formidable and enigmatic Dean Stevenson is recognised as an integral part of Tasmania’s cultural and musical scene. Churchill Fellow, and with a Masters from the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, Dean is more recently known for his daily ‘installations’ at MONA. Starting each morning with a piano and blank paper, he composes a new work. At 4pm a string quartet arrives to play it. “I have done this for 405 days, and The Monster and the Lake draws on this experience,” Dean explains. “It is about the fear of the unknown. In my case, the fear of confronting that empty sheet of paper day in and day out”
Dean will be joined at Handmark Gallery by musicians Miranda Carson, Phoebe Masel (violins), Caleb Wright (viola) and Nicholas McManus (cello). But, for a change, he won’t be performing. “No. I will be sitting down and enjoying the music with a glass of wine in my hand.”
The first Handmark Concert will be held on Thursday February 20, at 6pm. Tickets are limited and available through Eventbrite for $20.
Upcoming Exhibition | Alex Wanders ― ‘Gleanings’
Published 2 February 2025
Expect the unexpected. Hobart based artist, Alex Wanders, takes the familiar and adds a sprinkle of ambiguity and mystery in his enigmatic exhibition of new works, Gleanings.
Scenes from Hobart adorn the canvas. But with a twist. Mount Wellington/kunanyi is presented on a table, as a still-life, in Moon under the Mountain. A gleaming sphere rises from below. “I take the familiar and make it unfamiliar,” he tells us. “Gleaning subject matter from my local environment, I place the everyday in dislocated locations.”
In Davey Street an unassuming art deco house catches the eye of Alex. It too is served up as a feast on a table. “There is a suggestion that what is in front of our eyes may not be as straightforward as we think. Like every artist, I bring my own set of thoughts and beliefs about what I see in the landscape.”
Alex employs a modernist style with dramatic shadowing, and in Gleanings he expands his artistic journey from the mid-century architectural structures that dominated previous paintings. His net is cast wider, both in scale and subject matter. Paintings range from large to small, and there is even a beautiful series of still life flowers. Again, with a twist. “Shadows add a darker side to the beauty of the flowers.
Alex Wanders solo exhibition, Gleanings, runs at Handmark from February 14 until March 10. Join us for his Artist Talk at the Gallery on February 16 at 2 pm.
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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