You would think there was some genetic connection involved in the artistic talent of two sisters being put on exhibit at the Artists’ Collective Studio gallery soon, but Jann Newman and Dianne Clifton say there’s no apparent artistic bent running in the family.
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Their father didn’t live long enough for the girls to be aware of any artistic talent he may have had, but they said their mother was very good at knitting and following patterns, and had a good appreciation of colours and design.
Her home was well-decorated and she kept a lovely garden, and perhaps that’s where the roots of her daughters’ eye for design lay, Mrs Newman said.
Mrs Newman works with glass, starting out with leadlight and examples of her work from that era is featured around the community.
She created a series of three artworks at the Uniting Church after being commissioned by a widow. Each commemorates some aspect the woman’s late husband.
Mrs Newman is also responsible for the stunning leadlight at Haddington which allows residents to view the outside landscape through a sea of pillars and leaves.
Participation at a Brisbane workshop she attended with Bev Butler then opened her eyes to the world of slumped glass, formed by heating glass and then moulding it into a custom pattern, shape or design. Through this technique she creates mobiles, etched coasters, noughts-and-crosses puzzles (“the kids love to hear the clink”) and decorative pieces, which will all be included in the exhibition.
Her sister opted to express her artistic leanings through wall art, which she produces in acrylics and watercolour. The pieces included in the accompanying photo depict the various stages of regrowth after fire, and Mrs Clifton said she’s often inspired by the natural environment.
Now a Tenterfield resident, Mrs Cifton has an international profile, winning international awards and having her work included in corporate collections in Sydney and Melbourne and selling works to Singapore and the US.
This is her first exhibition in Tenterfield, and it also includes a series of paintings reflecting her observations of the seasons.
The widely-travelled artist also records her impressions through her trips, with works inspired by scenes in Amsterdam and Indonesia.
The sisters agree it’s an interesting dynamic, exhibiting together and seeing how they respond to the same stimuli. The fact that they came colour-coordinated for their photo was purely coincidental.
The public is invited to join the artists for the opening this Friday, June 30 from 5.30pm with drinks and nibbles.
