Event Type: Meet the Artist

Opening Event :
Thursday 14 August 2025, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Exhibition Dates :
Wednesday 13 – Monday 18 August 2025
10:30am – 4:30pm daily
*exhibition viewing after 2:00pm on Wednesday 13 August / after completion of install**

Daily Painting in action from 1:00pm (Monday – Friday)

An awe inspired exploration of Tasmania’s mountain wilderness through the poetry of paint, touching on light gilded rock faces and alpine wildflowers tenaciously bejewelling the edges of blue shadowed chasms.

Perhaps ‘I lost my compass’ would be an apt title too.

After many years of ‘getting around to it’ Mel Hills has finally started this series of mountain celebration paintings. 

Come for the ultimate lightweight bushwalk.
Guaranteed no scrub.
Fitness level optional.

Leave your heavy gear behind and prepare to have your breath snatched by awe inspiring mountain vistas, yawning chasms, towering peaks nd scintillating waterfalls. See the mist veils rising- giving glimpses of blue shadowed cliffs, studded with the gems of alpine flowers.

Imagine an icy dip in a mountain tarn while the last light gilds the surrounding peaks in gold and the cold mountain wind whispers through the crags..

With evident inspiration and influence from great Tasmanian landscape photographers such as Dombrovski and Truchannas, Mel composes poetic and breathtaking paintings of our iconic landscapes and details the flora and fauna that help make them so special.

Each painting is meticulously researched and may have a supporting folio of work, enabling a glimpse into the creation process.

The main body of this exhibition is a series of oil paintings on triple primed board and hand framed in timber. All have hanging wires and  D rings attached. Full interpretation information is presented with the artwork and also attached to the rear of the painting. 

The artist will be present for the duration of the exhibition for ridicule, track notes, general chit chat as desired and is likely to be plying a brush for part of each day.

Opening Event :
Friday 8 August 2025, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Includes an introduction by the artists, followed by a short dialogue between the artistic and scientific perspectives of aurora photography. This conversation will explore how visual art can reveal scientific phenomena in ways that create emotional connection and deeper understanding.

Exhibition Dates :
Friday 8 – Monday 18 August 2025
Sunday – Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturdays 9:00am – 5:00pm

A contemplative visual collaboration between art and science showcasing Tasmania’s unique connection to the southern lights, where award-winning photography reveals the awe-inspiring beauty of this natural phenomenon during the 2025 solar maximum.

Featuring works by Dr Andrew Phipps, Luke Tscharke, Paul Hoelen, and Benjamin Alldridge

A powerful photographic journey revealing Tasmania’s unique connection to the southern lights. During the 2025 solar maximum, this exhibition showcases award-winning photography that captures one of nature’s most elusive phenomena, the aurora australis, as it illuminates Tasmania’s night skies. The collection celebrates our island’s position as Australia’s best aurora viewing location, presenting the southern lights as both an artistic subject with remarkable visual impact and a scientific phenomenon demonstrating interactions between solar activity and Earth’s atmosphere.

Each photograph is paired with accessible scientific insights into the processes creating these auroral forms, offering understanding of space weather, solar activity and atmospheric interactions. Interactive elements include a live aurora dashboard displaying real-time solar conditions, time-lapse presentations revealing aurora movement patterns, and educational material highlighting Tasmania’s pristine dark skies and ideal viewing conditions.

Presented as part of National Science Week 2025 with support from Inspiring Tasmania, Dark Sky Tasmania, and Beaker Street, this exhibition brings together artistic vision and scientific understanding during Solar Cycle 25’s peak. Southern Nights explores how looking south across Tasmania’s dramatic landscapes reveals these magnificent nocturnal displays that have captivated sky-watchers for generations.

Presented by Tassie Indie Authors as a part of Hobart LitFest

Sat 12 April, 2025
10am – 3pm
Long Gallery
Salamanca Arts Centre

Come along and check out Tassie’s best independent authors. Something for everyone with a range of genres on offer. Meet the authors. Buy the books. Book signings and giveaways!

A showcase of Tasmanian Indie Authors from across the state. Books available to buy direct from the authors. Come along, meet the authors, and find your next favourite read!.
There is something for everyone – a range of genre from children’s books to thrillers, fantasy to romance and a range of memoir and non-fiction.
Meet the author, get your book signed.
Lots of giveaways and prizes!

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This event is a part of Salamanca Art’s Centre’s Hobart LitFest.

To view the full program, please visit this webpage.

Celebrate Hobart’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature at Hobart LitFest!

Join us for a dynamic program showcasing Tasmania’s finest writers, with engaging panels, book launches, interactive workshops, and intimate readings. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with the literary talent that makes Hobart unique. The festival will culminate in an exciting Independent Book Fair, where you can discover and support local independent authors and publishers. Don’t miss out on this celebration of words, culture, and creativity in the heart of Tasmania.

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Week Two Program

From Monday 7th – Saturday 12th April 2025

Monday 7th & Wednesday 9th April 2025 – 10AM
Via Booking Only

Young Writers High School Program
Presented by Tasmanian Indie Author Group & Salamanca Arts Centre
Salamanca Arts Centre are partnering with the Tasmanian Independent Author Group to present the Young Writers High School Program as a part of Hobart LitFest. This program offers high school students the opportunity to engage in three one-hour sessions led by independent authors from the Tasmanian Independent Author Group. During each session, students will participate in tailored writing workshops designed to inspire creativity, sharpen their writing skills, and explore new styles of expression. This interactive experience fosters a deeper connection to the writing process while encouraging self-expression and personal growth in a supportive, hands-on environment.
To find out more, please visit the school booking system below.

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Monday 7^th April 2025 – 5:30PM
Free Event

‘Pony Tales’ Book Launch and Children’s Picture Book Panel Discussion
Presented by Forty South Tasmania
Join us for the launch of “Pony Tales: For the Love of Shetland Ponies” by Jacqui Sinclair Dickson, a collection of spirited stories and vivid charcoal drawings from a life-long horse-lover, writer and vision-impaired artist. The book will be launched by award-winning author/illustrator Fiona Levings (co-regional co-ordinator of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), followed by a discussion with other Tasmanian author/illustrators on their creative process.

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Tuesday 8^th & Thursday 10th April 2025 – 10:30AM
Via Booking Only

Story Island Presents… ‘Mix, Match, Make!’

Collage and storytelling collide in this highly engaging and accessible creative workshop, brought to you by The Story Island Project.
In Mix, Match, Make!, students will experiment with text and images cut out from magazines, books and newspapers to create their very own stories or poems in collage form.
This dynamic workshop includes a mix of individual and group activities and, as students can engage with the materials at a variety of levels, it caters for a diverse range of abilities.
Each group will be led by one of Story Island’s expert Story Leaders, with additional student support from our trained team of volunteers.
To find out more, please visit the school booking system below.

About Story Island
The Story Island Project is a Hobart-based not-for-profit organisation that nurtures the creativity and writing skills of young Tasmanians and celebrates their diverse voices.
With the support of our enthusiastic volunteer tutors, Story Island runs free, dynamic storytelling workshops where young people are empowered to create their own stories.
Our vision is for young people to harness the power of their imaginations so they can grow to be resilient and creative shapers of their own lives.

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Wednesday 9^th April 2025 – 6:30PM
Free Event

Tassie Indies Read
Enjoy a showcase of Tasmanian Indie Authors reading their work. Ranging a number of genre styles of writing, come along and find your new favourite author!

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Saturday 12^th April – 10AM til 3PM
Free Event

2025 Tassie Indie Author Book Fair
Come along and check out Tassie’s best independent authors. Something for everyone with a range of genres on offer. Meet the authors! Buy the books! Book signings and giveaways! Find out more here.

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Our Sponsors

Salamanca Art Centre’s Hobart LitFest is supported by the City of Hobart’s Event Grants Program.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support.

Celebrate Hobart’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature at Hobart LitFest!

Join us for a dynamic program showcasing Tasmania’s finest writers, with engaging panels, book launches, interactive workshops, and intimate readings. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with the literary talent that makes Hobart unique. The festival will culminate in an exciting Independent Book Fair, where you can discover and support local independent authors and publishers. Don’t miss out on this celebration of words, culture, and creativity in the heart of Tasmania.

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Sunday Program

Sunday 6^th April 2025 – 10:00AM
Sunday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

Festival Hub Open
Welcome to the Hobart LitFest Hub – a cozy retreat for ticket holders! Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee as you unwind in a comfortable space designed for writer and readers alike. Whether you’re here to sit back with a good book, jot down your thoughts, or simply connect with fellow festivalgoers, our hub offers a perfect escape. Come in, recharge, and take a moment to enjoy the slightly quieter side of the festival.

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Sunday 6^th April 2025 – 12:30PM
Sunday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

Creating Book Merch: Art and the Crowdfunding Author
Festival goers will be guided through how to create your own unique book merch using DIY craft, local resources, and creative partnerships to create extra value for your crowdfunding campaigns. The presenter, Tansy Rayner Roberts, will discuss her own experiences and take you through ways to boost book sales using art & craft in the digital age.

The Presenter : Tansy Rayner Roberts

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Sunday 6^th April 2025 – 1:45PM
Sunday Ticket / Festival Ticket

Tassie Fireside Chat – From Page To Screen with Belinda Bradley & Franz Docherty

Join us for From Page to Screen with screenwriters Belinda Bradley & Franz Docherty as they share the process of crafting a screenplay and bringing it to life on film. Get an insider’s look at what it truly takes to transform a written script into a dynamic film, with Belinda and Franz exploring the journey from the page to the screen. Whether you’re an aspiring screenwriter, filmmaker, or film enthusiast, this event will offer valuable lessons and insider knowledge on the magic of storytelling for the screen.

The Presenters : Belinda Bradley and Franz Docherty

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• Sunday 6^th April 2025 – 2:45PM
• Sunday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

Tassie Fireside Chat – Get Published, Tasmania!
Produced by Forty South Tasmania & Island Magazine

Tasmania is producing some of the finest writing in the country, supported by a diverse and growing publishing industry. Join Island’s Jane Rawson and Forty South’s Rayne Allinson and Lucinda Sharp for a deep dive into what these publishing outlets are looking for, and how to kick-start your publishing career here in Tasmania.

The Presenters: Rayne Allinson (Forty South), Lucinda Sharp (Forty South), and Jane Rawson (Island Magazine)

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Sunday 6^th April 2025 – 4:00PM
Sunday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

Hobart as a UNESCO City of Literature: What It Means for Tasmania
Join us for an exciting panel event on Hobart as a UNESCO City of Literature: What It Means for Tasmania’s Future. This forward-looking discussion will explore the transformative potential of Hobart’s UNESCO recognition, focusing on how it will shape the state’s literary and cultural landscape in the years ahead. Local authors and experts will discuss the opportunities for growth in the local literary scene, fostering collaborations, and nurturing a new generation of writers and creatives. Don’t miss this chance to hear how Hobart’s designation is paving the way for a brighter, more dynamic cultural future for Tasmania.

The Presenters : Arianne James, Rayne Allinson, and Patrick Gregory

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Sunday 6^th April 2025 – 5:00PM
Sunday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

LitFest Networking Event
Join us at the Hobart LitFest Festival Hub for an exclusive networking event! Connect with fellow book lovers, authors, and industry professionals in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere. Enjoy a complimentary drink upon entry as you mingle and share your passion for literature. This is the perfect opportunity to make new connections, exchange ideas, and be part of a vibrant literary community. Don’t miss out on this exciting event – where creativity and conversation flow!

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Our Sponsors

Salamanca Art Centre’s Hobart LitFest is supported by the City of Hobart’s Event Grants Program.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support.

Celebrate Hobart’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature at Hobart LitFest!

Join us for a dynamic program showcasing Tasmania’s finest writers, with engaging panels, book launches, interactive workshops, and intimate readings. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with the literary talent that makes Hobart unique. The festival will culminate in an exciting Independent Book Fair, where you can discover and support local independent authors and publishers. Don’t miss out on this celebration of words, culture, and creativity in the heart of Tasmania.

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Saturday Program

Saturday 5^th April 2025 – 12:00PM
Saturday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

Opening Lines and Unresolved Issues: How to begin and how to end a really good story
Katherine Johnson, Kathryn Lomer and Robbie Arnott are all Award-winning Tasmanian authors, who will be sharing some insights as to how they set their opening scenes, what to say at the end, and what might be best left unsaid.

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Saturday 5^th April 2025 – 1:15PM
Saturday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

People are so Gullible: Do Facts in History even matter anymore?
Our world is full of heavy words and grand proclamations hurled with such passion and force because someone wants us to believe them. But saying something does not make it so. Esteemed Tasmanian historians Hamish Maxwell-Stewart, Robert Cox and Alison Alexander remind us of the value of Fact and Evidence in Writing History.

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Saturday 5^th April 2025 – 2:30PM
Saturday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

Short stories and Long shots: Weaving the improbable with the credible (in under 5,000 words)
The short story has been a valued and favoured form for writers and readers for hundreds of years. What art is there in fashioning an engaging tale without the freedom of unlimited length.  Cameron Hindrum, Leigh Swinbourne and Mallika Naguran have each published collections of short stories, and will share their thoughts on how to tame big ideas in order to reveal all that the reader needs to know, sometimes in only a few pages.

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Saturday 5^th April 2025 – 3:45PM
Saturday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

Burning Bridges, Burning Books & Burning Issues
We have always lauded a writer’s courage to say what needs to be said. With subtlety and satire, history’s sacred cows have been subjected to scrutiny. Award-winning Tasmanian authors, including Adam Ouston, Gina Mercer, and Ben Walter ponder the rights and obligations of the contemporary writer to say what they wish to say in an increasingly complex world.

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Saturday 5^th April 2025 – 5PM
Saturday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

A Distillation of the Language: Why Poetry is the highest form of writing.
In this provocation, Pete Hay, Anne Kellas, and Sarah Day; three of Tasmania’s most highly regarded poets, will share why Poetry is their chosen form, and how Poetry, alone, allows human concerns, both personal and universal, to co-exist, and to be articulated within the most economic use of the English language.

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Saturday 5^th April 2025 – 7:30PM
Saturday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

The Great Literary Debate – Plotting vs Pantsing
“It’s better to fly by the seat of your pants than plan and plot your book in detail.”

Come and watch local Tasmanian authors battle out this contentious topic while their tongues remain firmly planted in their cheeks.

The Panelists

Lissa Bilyk, Ruth Amos, DK Girl, Lou Powers, David Webby, Simon Thiessen, and Cary Lenehan

Facilitated by Mark Mannock. Adjudicated by the audience!

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Our Sponsors

Salamanca Art Centre’s Hobart LitFest is supported by the City of Hobart’s Event Grants Program.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support.

Celebrate Hobart’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature at Hobart LitFest!

Join us for a dynamic program showcasing Tasmania’s finest writers, with engaging panels, book launches, interactive workshops, and intimate readings. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with the literary talent that makes Hobart unique. The festival will culminate in an exciting Independent Book Fair, where you can discover and support local independent authors and publishers. Don’t miss out on this celebration of words, culture, and creativity in the heart of Tasmania.

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Friday Program

Friday 4^th April 2025 – 4:00PM
Friday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

Festival Hub Open
Welcome to the Hobart LitFest Hub – a cozy retreat for ticket holders! Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee as you unwind in a comfortable space designed for writer and readers alike. Whether you’re here to sit back with a good book, jot down your thoughts, or simply connect with fellow festivalgoers, our hub offers a perfect escape. Come in, recharge, and take a moment to enjoy the slightly quieter side of the festival.

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Friday 4^th April 2025 – 5:30PM
Friday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

Tasmanian Literary Prize Longlist Open Mic
Join us for a special Open Mic session featuring Tasmanian Literary Prize Longlist authors! This intimate event offers a chance to hear short snippets of their captivating works, as they share their stories and voices with Hobart audiences. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience firsthand the talent and creativity of these exciting authors.

Presenting Authors : Susan Austin, Ian Broinowski, and Leigh Swinbourne

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Friday 4^th April 2025 – 7:00PM
Friday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

Scratch Night with Bad Company Theatre
Step into the creative world of Hobart’s emerging playwrights at our Scratch Night! Join us for an evening of play readings, showcasing new works by up-and-coming local writers. Facilitated by the talented team at Bad Company Theatre, this is a unique opportunity to experience raw, untapped stories in their early stages. Be part of the creative process, offer feedback, and witness the future of Hobart theatre unfold!

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Friday 4^th April 2025 – 8:15PM
Friday Ticket / Full Festival Ticket

JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
Join PROTEA Impro as we perform a classic novel in JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. Which book? Well that’s up to you! As a Hobart LitFest special treat we’ll be asking about your favourite romance novels, romantic characters and Tas literature and then we’ll see them come to life in a stunning (or bewildering) improvised stage adaptation. Will it be a faithful adaptation? Not even close: Just give us some titles, some plot points, maybe a couple of characters and we’ll do the rest.

See you on Friday April 4th for 
JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER 
‘Let’s build a romance novel!’

PROTEA Impro
PROTEA Impro is Tasmania’s leading improvised theatre company. Specialising in full length plays and narrative works which they have performed across the country and overseas. They also hold the Tasmanian licence for Theatresports™️ which they perform monthly at The Founders Room SAC. 

PROTEA Impro’s 2025 season is supported by Salamanca Arts Centre 

Tasmanian improvisation. Follow us on Insta @proteaimpro

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Our Sponsors

Salamanca Art Centre’s Hobart LitFest is supported by the City of Hobart’s Event Grants Program.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support.

Celebrate Hobart’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature at Hobart LitFest!

Join us for a dynamic program showcasing Tasmania’s finest writers, with engaging panels, book launches, interactive workshops, and intimate readings. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with the literary talent that makes Hobart unique. The festival will culminate in an exciting Independent Book Fair, where you can discover and support local independent authors and publishers. Don’t miss out on this celebration of words, culture, and creativity in the heart of Tasmania.

Salamanca Arts Centre’s Hobart LitFest runs from Thursday 3^rd until Saturday 12^th April 2025 in the Long Gallery and is supported by the City of Hobart, and sponsored by Forty South Tasmania, Island Magazine, The Hobart Bookshop, and many other Tasmanian organisations, groups, and businesses.

Full Program for the Hobart LitFest 2025 can be found online HERE

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Thursday 3^rd April 2025 – 6:30PM
Opening Event including Keynote Speech by Peter Timms

How we have become a City of Literature & how we compare
Join us for the official opening of the festival followed by a keynote speech by Peter Timms, through which we will explore the journey that led to our city being recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature. Delve into the rich literary history, cultural influences, and key milestones that have shaped our city’s identity in the literary world. We’ll also compare our literary standing to other global cities, highlighting what sets us apart and what we can learn from their successes. Don’t miss this chance to reflect on our literary legacy and future over drinks and nibbles!

About the Presenter
Peter Timms held curatorial positions in Australian museums between 1973 and 1988. He was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1984 and an Australia Council Senior Writers’ Fellowship in 1994. Since 1988 he has been a freelance journalist and author, including five years as editor of Art Monthly Australia and art critic for The Age. Peter has published eleven books, including Australian Studio Pottery, Making Nature, What’s Wrong with Contemporary Art?, Australia’s Quarter Acre, Private Lives, and Hobart. His first novel, Asking for Trouble, was published by HarperCollins in 2014. His most recent book is Silliness: a Serious History.

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Full Program for the Hobart LitFest 2025 can be found online HERE

Find out more about Friday’s Program HERE

Find out more about Saturday’s Program HERE

Find out more about Sunday’s Program HERE

Find out more about Week Two’s Program HERE

\Find out more about the artists involved HERE

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Our Sponsors

Salamanca Art Centre’s Hobart LitFest is supported by the City of Hobart’s Event Grants Program.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support.

Opening Event :
Friday 22 November 2024, 5:30pm – 8:00pm

Daily Opening Times :
Thursday 21 – Saturday 30 November 2024
Monday – Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm 

**Variation / Extended Opening Hours on Friday 22 November 2024 : 12:00noon – 8:00pm (includes Opening Event)**

QUALIA by emerging artist Adam Whish-Wilson aims to explore the relationship between physical place and psychological states.

Capturing the simple joys and fleeting beauty of everyday life, Adam’s artwork invites us into his personal world. From his early experiences of life far from home to the intimate moments shared with family, QUALIA offers a meditation on existing through both melancholy and happiness.

With vibrating oil colours applied from expressive brushstrokes, and ink roller passes, Adam has rendered these scenes to evoke a sense of nostalgia across various colours and psychological states.

By capturing the fleeting beauty of perception and experiential living, he invites us to reflect on our own connections to the world around us.

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This exhibition is supported by Salamanca Arts Centre.

Opening Event : Studio Gallery, Level 2
Thursday 5 December 2024, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Meet the Artist : Studio Gallery, Level 2
Saturday 7 December 2024, 10:00am – 3:00pm

Exhibition Dates :
Thursday 5 December 2024 – Friday 31 January 2025
**Installation viewable 24/7

The beauty and fragility of the southern ice cap and ocean captured in a single image by a unique three-dimensional artwork made with layered Perspex.

The Great Southern Ocean project is a collection of small artworks created specifically for exhibition at the Salamanca Art Centre Studio Gallery and Lightbox. The focal piece is Monument, a 3-dimensional painting on display in the Lightbox. This artwork was created by Beric Henderson, and made by applying small amounts of paint to sequential layers of clear Perspex and then assembling them together. The resulting holographic image reveals an iceberg forever captured in time. There are human and marine visitors above and below the waterline. The Monument artwork, together with the intricate drawings and paintings in the Studio Gallery, express a unique artistic vision of the power and beauty of the Southern ocean and Antarctic region.

This artwork was created by artist Beric Henderson, and inspired by his time as former Artist-in-Residence at the Salamanca Art Centre’s Artists’ Cottage in 2023. Since 2019 the artist has been producing an ever-growing body of ocean themed paintings and drawings, many of which have been shortlisted for national art prizes including the Mission to Seafarers (2022/2023), Adelaide Perry Drawing Award (2020/2021) and recently the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Award (2024). The artist is based in the warmer climate of the NSW mid-north coast but frequently visits Hobart to seek inspiration.