Special night: Artists Elaine Van Dyk and Judy Hutchins with Foundry’s Maggie Ellis. Photo: Shannon Colee
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Shannon Colee
It was all about perspective at the opening of The Foundry Arts Space’s most recent exhibition, Same Country, Different Interpretations.
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The exhibit, featuring artists Judy Hutchins and Elaine Van Dyk, was about how their backgrounds and personal experiences influence how each sees and interprets the Australian landscape.
Art lovers: Eugene Dopheide and Joy Rollason spent Friday night looking at the art on show. Photo: Shannon Colee
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Shannon Colee
Ms Hutchins said it was great to do the show alongside an artist like Ms Van Dyk.
“It’s always hard when you work with another artist to try and have work that gels with the other artist’s work,” she said.
“Luckily, even though we create totally different results, we both approach (art) from a very emotional point of view.
Art partners: Both Judy Hutchins and Elaine Van Dyk said they had known each other for years and were excited to work together. Photo: Shannon Colee
Photo by
Shannon Colee
“I mean, my work is solely from within me. It’s not what I’m seeing so much as what I’m feeling. Even though she works slightly differently, I think Elaine has a similar way of approaching her work.”
Of all her work in the show, it was one called The Storm that Ms Hutchins was most proud to have on show.
Good time: Toni Denson, Lorraine Woods and Judy Stewart enjoyed looking at the art. Photo: Shannon Colee
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Shannon Colee
“You see those big skies and the bright land, and I think it just resonates with a lot of people. To me, that storm coming could mean a lot of things. It doesn’t necessarily have to mean a literal storm,” she said.
For Ms Van Dyk, picking just one piece as a favourite in the show is too hard. She did, however, point to a recurring image in much of her work.
Art from the heart: Last Friday people came to the opening of the exhibition to take a look at the artists’ work. Photo: Shannon Colee
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Shannon Colee
“I just try to depict how I feel and what’s important to me. In a lot of my work, grass trees are featured, and they’re quite significant to me,” she said.
“I see them as ancient wise people, and so I’ve got a lot of them featured in my artwork, and I’ll continue doing it.”
Come and see: Same Country, Different Interpretations is the name of the exhibition, and it explores the Australian landscape from two different points of view. It will be on show until June 10. Photo: Shannon Colee
Photo by
Shannon Colee
She said it had been excellent to do the show with her fellow artist, Ms Hutchins, whom she’s known for some time.
“We used to do workshops together, and I’d see her plan her stuff, but I never actually saw her work until she had an exhibition,” Ms Van Dyk said.
On show: Artist Judy Hutchins with her piece The Storm. Photo: Shannon Colee
Photo by
Shannon Colee
“I saw her work and thought, ‘Oh, we are on the same plane of thinking,’ and I just loved her pieces. I asked her if she wanted to do a joint exhibit, and she said yes.”
The exhibition opened at The Foundry Arts Space in Echuca last Friday, May 3. Both artists’ work will remain there until June 10.