Are we there yet? takes its name from the incessant question from kids in the back of the car; the upcoming referendum; and/or from Ithaka, a poem by the distinguished Greek poet C. P. Cavafy.
Are we there yet? features the work of three artists based in and around Burra in mid-north South Australia.
Denise Officer is someone whose career has picked up after 60, after single motherhood, a career working in the arts, and never having been written up in an arts magazine. “As the artist, I haven’t played in the gallery space for a while, having been more intent on encouraging and developing other artists, with me behind the scenes and seeing ideas live on in their work. My works have been executed on-site and in-studio on Pitcairn Station and Elliston in mid-north South Australia; Darwin in the NT, the Glenelg River in western Victoria and on various fire grounds in South Australia and New South Wales.”
Since leaving Prahran College of Advanced Education in 1975 with a Diploma in Art & Design – majoring in Drawing and Sculpture – I have marked many canvases; the visual and performing arts; theatre, film, television and rock n roll – at local, State and National institutions: Artback Northern Territory Arts Touring; the National Gallery of Australia, Tiwi Islands Shire Council and much much more – as some exciting highlights.
As the artist, I haven’t played in the gallery space for a while, having been more intent on encouraging and developing other artists, with me behind the scenes and seeing my ideas live on in their work.
Jill Foster – Potter – Jill says that “The outback filters through my fingertips – incorporating found and organic materials into pots with stitchery. In 2023, a range of fat birds. I’m a beach kid who grew up in Largs Adelaide. I was a beach kid of the 60s and my drawing has been influenced by the bright, lively colours and fun lifestyle. Thrown functional clay pieces become my canvas, clay and brush my tools of trade. From a trip to France I observed the cool style of French women and developed the funky lady decorated ware. Much overseas travel and a lasting interest in Japanese culture and brush painting filter into my very Australian themes that are also inspired by time spent in the Mid North and travelling around the outback and beyond. I also design, make, photograph and teach in today’s Arts Industry.
Glenys Christopher – her watercolours are inspired by her international travel and a great life in Burra but also by memories of travelling from Adelaide to Ceduna in an old Holden with two children under four. Gleny says “I was in at the very beginning of the Burra Regional Art Gallery organising the volunteer roster and helping curate and hang local artists’ work there. I still exhibit my work there and have had work in galleries in Adelaide. I’m still on the volunteer roster for the Burra Art Gallery and now also volunteer as a tutor in Watercolour for the U3A in Burra. I paint mainly in watercolour, pastel and mixed media, and have won awards in each of these media. My subjects are mainly flowers, people, landscape and occasionally portraits.”
Are We There Yet? will run at the Burra Regional Art Gallery – located on Market Street Burra, in the restored 1860 Post and Telegraph Office – from August until 17 September 2023.
Burra’s creative heritage lives and evolves through a calendar of 12 diverse exhibitions per year alongside its permanent collections, competitions, artist talks, sculpture garden and events.
The gallery is open daily from 1pm – 4pm, subject to volunteer availability
Burra Regional Art Gallery acknowledges the Ngadjuri people as the traditional owners of the land upon which the gallery resides. We pay respect to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land.
