Merrian Dennis
Tarts of the Muffin World 11.5.2012 – 24.5.2012
I started my creative life as a potter, having completed my art training at Ballarat University in 1977, followed by industrial experience working at the Ararat Regional Art Gallery, Arts Mentor for unemployed youth in Stawell, Ceramics teacher at Pleasant Creek Special School and spinner for an internationally established art weaver and finally, completing my Graduate Diploma of Teaching in 1979. My background in working in three dimensions, combined with my passion for drawing and painting, resulted in a the strong sense of form and function and the intrigue of texture and colour. I worked with a group of artists from the Eltham / Warrandyte area in the 1980’s before leaving Melbourne to set up an artist studio in Western Victoria. I not only worked on my own, but spent a great deal of time creating artistic opportunities for young people in a range of areas from theatre through to music and the visual arts. I expanded my creative ideas in forming a craft market (still in operation) as well and promoting The Arts through my influence as secondary art teacher and as a member of the Camperdown community including set painting, directing and producing shows for the Camperdown Theatre Company. My studio – ‘Gnarlbine’ has continued to be a place to promote music and the visual arts in a supportive environment.
I feel most fortunate to live in such a beautiful environment within the crater of Lake Gnotuk in Western Victoria. A place that also intrigued many of Australia’s most early and significant painters. Von Guerard and Walter Withers enjoyed the simplicity and drama of this unique landscape.
The ‘volcanic’ bumps of the Western Plains and the distinctive volcanic curves of the landscape create close links between the female form and the seductive landscape of the Western District.
The contents of ‘My Kitchen’ forms a strong part of my body of work, capturing the things we take for granted, the things that we see and use in our everyday life. ……. this, the beauty that we take for granted, has also been a major influence in creating artwork.
