Bright as a button and still passionately painting at 94 years; local Fremantle artist June Boase Weller has amassed an extraordinary collection of inspiring artworks and captivating stories (spanning her lifetime practise) in an exhibition called “Art of Living”.
The exhibition opened this week in Fremantle at the Terrace Greenhouse Gallery on South Terrace.
An incredible body of work showcasing an eclectic collection of oil paintings watercolours commercial art industrial design pen & ink drawings sketches and exquisite illustrations and includes a plethora of graphic design applications created for the original Myers Emporium in Melbourne.
June’s collection of personal items and painting tools essential to the fabric of her daily life; are carefully woven into the display showing clearly that her life and her art are intimately entwined.
Trained by the Post-Heidelberg artists of Melbourne in the en plein air and tonal painting techniques June Boase Weller is a wealth of fascinating knowledge lived Australian arts history and amazing career experiences.
On her arrival in Perth June was very surprised to find that women were still not allowed to paint outdoors here in WA - a good 100 years behind the daring and forward thinking en plein air painters of 1880’s Heidelberg. June eventually convinced her fellow lady painters that all would be well and that they would be quite safe to take their painting outdoors.
In her painting pursuits June has adventured into some of the remotest parts of Australia to paint; immersing herself in the land and the rocks and the sand and the skies that soak deep into her soul.
Ancient places captured in paint calling you to look deeper; to find something of the wonder that June discovers there herself in their raw visceral beauty.
“I love painting the weathering of the rock and thinking of the extremities of climate which shaped them. I love thinking about the time taken to form the soil around rocks - grey or red sometimes yellow or clay colours and at times all of these colours are present in one rock.”
“I love the thought that the rocks form the backbone of our land and that I am painting their strength.”
“Sometimes just the colour or vibrancy of the paint will help to tell the story.”
This exhibition is the story of a strong and passionately creative woman who against all odds forged out a career for herself while cultivating a family and caring community of friends and artists alike around her; all while keeping that spark of light alive in her heart and her eyes.
Embracing opportunity is at the heart of June’s approach to both work and life. Welcoming a chance to begin working in arts therapy early in her career June learned skills that have contributed to the lives of countless people over the years; and this very special kind of art has been her own saving grace in the face of her personal health and life challenges.
Embracing the modern world of digital art has also allowed her to continue to make art in difficult times where paint and brushes were neither available or viable.
“Digital art has enabled me a way of continuing to paint when I was unable to spend as many hours in my studio and unable to get outdoors to paint the landscape like I was able to.”
“The ArtRage program requires no cleaning up a palette or washing paint from brushes. It still gives me the experience of painting in a range of virtual mediums to turn to at any time. The selection of colour and brushes to use are authentic giving a true representation of images whatever the style chosen.”
“Digital art keeps me interested and stimulated.”
Come and be inspired by our very own living treasure June Boase Weller and witness how life can really be lived through the “Art of Living”.
I guarantee you’ll walk away inspired with cheer in your heart and a spring in your step… hoping for a little piece of it for yourself.
For new and long-time art collectors alike this is a rare opportunity to add a unique and authentic piece of lived history and true talent to your personal art collection.
A delightful discovery of rich and fascinating stories a tapestry of extraordinary artwork and a delightful darling of a human being who you really wouldn’t want to miss out on meeting.
This is a woman with a real story to tell.
Engaging inspiring touching and heartfelt.
EXHIBITION DETAILS:
Wed 09 Aug - Sat 19 Aug 2023
Open 9am - 5pm daily
Terrace Greenhouse Gallery
223 South Tce South Fremantle
For more information or to arrange to meet the Artist contact: 0429 392 117
Event Venue
Terrace Greenhouse Gallery , 223 South Tce, Fremantle, Australia
AUD 0.00
