Gallery Director Lauretta Morton, Elisabeth Cummings, Melanie Hellens and Kate Croll at the exhibition preview
On 2 March 2018, the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation had the pleasure of hosting Elisabeth Cummings and her colleague, friend and curator of the exhibition, Sioux Garside at a Preview of her exhibition Elisabeth Cummings: interior landscapes. Sioux (whose previous employment in Newcastle ensures a strong link for the Newcastle Art Gallery), addressed the group and explained Elisabeth’s artistic journey from her birthplace in Brisbane, to Sydney study, travels overseas, period of residence in Florence, Italy, and final dedication to her art at her bushland studio at Wedderburn, south of Sydney.
Elisabeth draws inspiration from the landscape, frequently travelling to remote areas of Australia. She does not just capture what the eye sees but what her mind, spirit and heart remember, feel and think about when they see the finished work.
Newcastle Art Gallery was the final destination for this 18 month touring exhibition. Works include paintings, prints, drawings and ceramics, all bursting with vibrant colour, accurately described by Sioux as ‘luminous’. Elisabeth and Sioux were thrilled that unlike other destinations for this tour, the entire exhibition was able to be hung and beautifully displayed in the gallery. Of all the places the work has been exhibited Elisabeth said that it looked ‘the best’ at our Newcastle Art Gallery.
Elisabeth’s dedication to her profession is evident by the number and depth of works in the exhibition. The curatorship of this exhibition, the majority of the works being in private collections, was a huge task. Sioux was helped by Elisabeth’s encyclopaedic knowledge of her work, assisting with the location and collection of the work. Her gallerists Randi Linnegar and Robert Linnegar from King on William Street Gallery Sydney, accompanied Elisabeth and Sioux to the Preview attesting their admiration, affection and support for Elisabeth.
Elisabeth, a passionate yet modest artist, delighted in conversing with Foundation members over food and wine. Having not visited Newcastle for some time, her impressions of Newcastle and the gallery were of surprise and delight.
Elisabeth Cummings has committed her life to her art and we are the grateful recipients of her dedication in this wonderful exhibition.
Image : L-R : The exhibition curator Sioux Garside with Robert Linnegar and Randi Linnegar of King on William St Gallery.
