A selection of works from Duck House, the home and studio of King Valley artists Cara Dosser and Alexander Ryan, forms the latest exhibition now showing at Wangaratta's Art Gallery on Ovens.
Duck House is the name of an old farmhouse nestled beside the Flying Duck vineyards of King River Estate, and as the pair's first home and studio together, they thought it a fitting name for their exhibition.
Alexander said it's located at the foothills of a timber reserve with wetlands over the back fence; home to ducks, frogs, kookaburras and the occasional honking deer, immersing them in a classic pastoral setting.
"Having both grown up on farms and now living on a rural property, the Australian landscape informs our artistic practices and is often reflected in our work," he said.
"Visitors to the exhibition can expect to see a selection of paintings, including dusky landscapes, female figurative pieces and a series of works with references to T.S. Eliot's poem, The Waste Land.
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Cara Dosser says her art practice moves between slow days in front of a canvas, working and feeling her way through a painting, to being sparked by inspiration and painting wildly for a few hours into the night.
"At the heart of it, my painting is about embracing my true essence and expressing myself," she said.
"As an artist, the way I speak is through my brush, it’s how I communicate with the world around me."
Cara paints with oils because she likes their organic and malleable nature, using primary colours alongside yellow ochre, red umber and black and white, referencing the natural, female form in both her figurative and landscape works.
She said whether it’s a mix of colour or monochromatic depends on the series or painting style she's working on, and she is also exploring making her own paints from natural pigments.
Alexander describes his practice as elemental and following the rhythms of nature, where he takes inspiration for colours, textures, patterns and materials.
"I like working with water and the sun, waiting for things to dry and slowing the practice down to a meditation," he said.
"Earth colours probably describe my palette more accurately than ‘organic’, although there are hints of an algae green in places, possibly from the roots I left soaking on the canvas of a few pieces."
Alexander also incorporates black tea in his work, saying it reminds him of home, mixing it with acrylic paint before applying layers to the canvas, creating line, shape and shadow.
He says his work explores the boundary between representational and abstract art, with hints of Leunig in some of the cartoonish forms.
Duck House can be seen at the Art Gallery on Ovens in the laneway off Murphy Street from 4 to 15 September, and is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10am until 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 2pm, with entry free.
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What's on in brief
Market in the hall at St Patrick's
Browse featuring a wide range of items when a market is held in St Patrick's Hall in Ford Street on Saturday, 6 September from 9am to 1pm.
There will be more than 20 stallholders showcasing their wares including craft, vintage clothes and produce, just in time for Father's Day, with all welcome to come along.
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Opera Australia to present La Bohème
Opera Australia is bringing its production of the original bohemian love story La Bohème to the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Saturday, 6 September at 7.30pm.
This new production breathes fresh life into Puccini's much-loved score, with award-winning director Dean Bryant bringing his trademark wit and vivacity to this new staging.
Featuring a stellar Opera Australia cast, limited tickets are available by visiting wpacc.com.au.
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Scott & Amanda Band in Moyhu
Enjoy a social night filled with fun, laughter and dancing when the Scott & Amanda Band perform at the Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall on Saturday, 6 September.
Doors open at 6.30pm with live music from 7pm and refreshments will be provided (with drinks available at bar prices).
There will also be door and raffle prizes with tickets $30 (and bookings essential) available by calling 0408 038 891.
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Afternoon of music with Wangaratta Symphony Orchestra
Join the Wangaratta Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable afternoon of music from the New World on Sunday, 7 September at 2.30pm.
The feature of the program will be the classical masterpiece by Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World", with items from other new world composers such as Stravinski's The Firebird Suite, Sousa's Liberty Bell, a Cohan Medley and a compilation of well-known themes from George Gershwin.
This concert will also feature orchestra soloists, with Tim Wong to present a movement from Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 on piano, and Emma Lang to present a Haydn concerto and Dvorak's Silent Woods on cello.
With guest conductor Craig Fullerton leading the orchestra, tickets are available at wpacc.com.au.
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Wangaratta community market
The Wangaratta community market runs every Sunday (except Easter Sunday) at Moore Than Swimming, located at 11-13 Mason Street in Wangaratta, from 8am until 1pm.
There are a wide range of stalls to browse with new and used items, plants, fruit and veg and more, with refreshments available.
Stalls are available for just $20 each (no bookings required) and car boot sales are welcome for $15, with more information via the market's Facebook page or call Sheree on 0401 665 886.
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