GALLERY | Excellence reigns at artists’ 2021 exhibition

Local art

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Rod and Sally Sherlock on the opening night of the Retrospective PAST –PRESENT – FUTURE exhibition in Port Douglas. Image:Gabriele Cooney "Just Purple New Media".

The shire’s art aficionados recently capitalised on the opportunity to both view and purchase a rare collection of some of the vast talent across the region at the Retrospective PAST –PRESENT – FUTURE Douglas Shire Artists 2021 Exhibition at the Douglas Shire Community Hall on Mowbray Street.

And if you missed the opening, the exhibition is open from 10am – 4pm until 16 July. Exhibition Curator Chrissie Mclaughlin will be conducting personal tours.

“It was a memorable event which attracted more than 200 people with a frenzy of buyers in the room,” said Ms Mclaughlin.

Local art supporter and collector John Morris opened the show and Ms Mclaughlin discussed the history and nature of the collection.

There was a big turn out on opening night of the Retrospective PAST –PRESENT – FUTURE exhibition in Port Douglas. Image: Gabriele Cooney "Just Purple New Media".

Alison George Catseye productions launched the Retrospective Documentary 15-minute film of Douglas Shire Artists working in their environments in the shire.

A significant highlight of the evening was the showing of The Daintree, by the artist Che, a 5 metre by 1.1 metre monochromatic oil water and fire.

“The Daintree painting is available for purchase on the understanding and condition the piece and asking price be donated to the Mossman Botanical Gardens.

“This is not only a unique opportunity to support a worthy cause, but as a registered charity it is tax deductible.

“The painting will hang in a prominent position within the gardens with a plaque commemoration of the gift and a life-time membership is offered,” said Ms Mclaughlin.

Daintree Painting by Che. Image: Provided by Peter Cruse.

In acknowledging that an overwhelming feature of the event was the diversity and high standard, she was not surprised by the attention the exhibition received and the number of buyers.

“No. Not at all. Port Douglas has long been lacking in a contemporary gallery space to celebrate the excellence of artists that resided in the Douglas Shire.

“This is also a significant boost for the shire in terms of the evidence of talent. The Douglas Shire can only benefit in multiple ways by public exhibition space. The evidence is apparent from the major sales and the attendance numbers to date.

“Supporting art is crucial to our unique tropical local artistic integrity and interpretation: business artists’ tourism and the future of art benefit enormously,” said Ms Mclaughlin.

GALLERY | A taste of at what is on display at the Retrospective PAST –PRESENT – FUTURE exhibition in Port Douglas below: 

The Retrospective PAST –PRESENT – FUTURE exhibition in Port Douglas.
Exhibiting Artist Janet Mackay. Image: Gabriele Cooney, Just Purple New Media.
MANGROVES on the Edge by Ross Cummings. Image: Supplied.
Visitors on opening night viewing David Badcocks work - Noah's Creek Daintree. Image: Gabriele Cooney, Just Purple New Media.
St Marys By the Sea by Tania Heben - Sold opening night. Image: Supplied.
Retrospective Documentary made Alison George Cats Eye Productions. Image: Gabriele Cooney, Just Purple New Media.
Exhibiting artist Laini Eckhardt. Image: Gabriele Cooney, Just Purple New Media.
The Youngest artist Finn Simmonds with his sold art work. Image: Gabriele Cooney, Just Purple New Media.
14 year old Artist Finn Simonds work 'Sugar Wharf' Finn has has been selling professionally since age 12. Image: Supplied.
Exhibiting artist Anna Curtis - Print maker Sold. Image: Gabriele Cooney, Just Purple New Media.

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