NINE members of the Moree art community have come together to create and donate a four-metre canvas of the Mehi landscape to Fairview Retirement Village.
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The landscape is of the iconic Mehi picnic area that most tourists tend to miss and locals tend to forget.
Fairview’s artist coordinator said all artists have generously donated their time and talents, and all still live in the Moree Plains Shire or have strong family ties here.
“The subject of the four metre by 1.5 metre canvas is the Mehi landscape below Mary Brand Park and the artistic inspiration for the work is George Seurat's painting ' Sunday Afternoon Along the Seine',” she said.
Artists involved are prize-winning Annette Coward from Boomi, Jenny Greentree from Mungindi and Janelle Boyd from Moree.
“Janelle is a professional artist with 30 years experience and is now education officer at the Moree Plains Regional Gallery.”
Along with Fi Claus, Ian Reardon and Kylie McNamara.
“All three have had exhibitions in regional galleries and somehow manage to complete many commissions despite other busy demands.”
Margaret Adams, famous Kamilaroi artist, is another included in the project.
“Her work is represented in our local, as well as national and international galleries.
“The painting has been progressing over several months now and all the artists have expressed their gratitude to the members of the Moree Masonic Lodge who so willingly allowed painting to continue over that time in their ideal venue.”
Funds for the painting project have come from proceeds of Fairview's Art Show and other board fundraising initiatives, as well as a contribution from Moree Plains Shire Council's (MPSC) public donations initiative
Another included artist, Belinda Williams, now works on commissions in Port Douglas. Belinda has returned to Moree twice to work on the landscape.
"I've always been very passionate about Moree and my work sets out to portray the outback of Australia,” she said.
“Coming home to visit is great and it's fantastic to be part of this wonderful collaborative community effort.”
MPSC mayor, Katrina Humphries, is behind the amazing initiative.
“I am looking forward to seeing this unique and exciting work of local design and talent,” she said.
Fairview CEO, Brett Arthur, said the artwork will complement the current refurbishment of the Perry James Lodge.
“The board is planning to commence stage two of the upgrade early in the New Year,” he said.
It is expected that the painting will be ready to hang early in the New Year. The chief pleasure of this artwork will be the joy it brings to residents, visitors and staff of Fairview.