I’ve got a few Paper Moon and ‘prop photo’ posts to come over the next couple of weeks. I’ve been gathering quite a collection. Unfortunately I’m a bit snowed under with a pressing work deadline this week, so in the meantime, if anyone is in Melbourne and looking for something to do, go and take your own Paper Moon photograph at the Museum and ride the roller coaster (and beat the heat at the same time – BONUS!). They have a Paper Moon set up in the Melbourne Gallery as part of the display on Luna Park. Eloise wasn’t very obliging when we were last there, so I am itching to go back! My heart skipped a beat when I first discovered it. Oh how I love the Melbourne Gallery, I could spend hours in there (although Eloise isn’t too keen on the ‘spooky house’). What I would give to have an original Coles Book Arcade ‘tin egg’! I think I definitely have my Dad to thank for my appreciation of Australian history.

More to come…

The Melbourne Myer Christmas Windows opened at midday today. When we heard who was going to be the ‘star’ this year we decided to get in early and take a trip into town. The windows this year are based on the Ian Falconer book, Olivia Helps With Christmas, narrated by Dame Edna Everage (Barry Humphries).

We’re big Olivia fans in this house….my Madame Alexander Olivia doll has sat on my desk since before Eloise was born! It was a beautiful night. Perfect for ice cream, very warm….and not a queue to be seen!!

Last week I treated myself and flew up to Canberra for the opening of an exhibition called cut.paste at the ANCA Gallery. I’ve got two A3 digital collage fine art prints on display, and it was exciting to be included alongside such a talented bunch of collage artists. I also reworked my zine concept and have a few ‘cut.paste’ limited editions available at the gallery for purchase. It was lots of fun! If anyone wants to go along and see the exhibition, it’s on for another week. The programme/catalogue (above) is also in the style of a zine and was compiled by the lovely and talented Narelle Phillips (who really should have her own blog!).

Above is one of my collages, ‘Tiny Town’. I had it printed on some lovely Hahnemuhle Torchon paper and I am so pleased with how it turned out. Look below! There are my two prints on the left, hanging next to some gorgeous pieces by Rebecca Hanrahan and Elizabeth Faul.

It was an absolute treat to escape from the little ones for a brief stint (Yes, an entire night of uninterrupted sleep, late checkout and a scrummy breakfast! Whoooop!) . After the opening, Narelle and I headed off to the ‘Parlour Wine Room‘ for the most delicious tapas style feast! The day after, I managed to do the touristy thing and do some of the major galleries. Unfortunately the soft sculpture show had ended the week prior at the National Gallery, but there was a great little exhibition called ‘Reinventions: Sculpture and Assemblage’ which is on until mid September and features work by artists such as Rosalie Gascoigne and Robert Klippel. I followed that up by my first visit to The National Portrait Gallery to see the Vanity Fair  Portraits show. It was fabulous!

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I then decided I was on a roll (ignoring my tired feet!) and visited the National Museum of Australia for the first time, where I thoroughly enjoyed the revolving ‘Circa‘, seeing so many treasures from our past first hand and reading so many fascinating and intriguing individual stories.

Ahhhh what fun. I was so inspired by the time I flew home!

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a book launch for ‘The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif’, the compelling story of Najaf Mazari, who fled Afghanistan in 2000. He is now settled in Melbourne, where he owns a rug shop selling beautiful traditional Afghan rugs.

I had the honour of working on the cover and text for this project, and it was lovely to finally meet those involved face to face including Najaf himself, Robert Hillman and the publishers from Insight Publications (hello Iris and Cathi!).

It is such an emotional and beautifully told true story. One of the things that struck close to my heart is that Najaf is around my age, and I could not imagine having lived through what he has been through. The thought alone of him being separated from his wife and daughter for 6 years is incomprehensible. It certainly puts things in perspective.

From the cover blurb: ‘A poignant and powerful, yet often humorous, story of suffering, injustice and survival that explores the resilience of the human spirit. Najaf’s memoir gives a rare insight into what compels people to leave their homes, families and histories behind in search of peace and security for themselves and their children.’

An extract from the book was published in the Weekend Australian Magazine, March 29. You can read it —> here. You can also hear Najaf Mazari and Robert Hillman on ABC radio —> here.

For more information please visit:
Insight Publications
Afghan Traditional Rugs – Melbourne
Mazar Development Fund
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

For the second year in a row we headed off to catch Dan Zanes and Friends at the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Wow! It lived up to all my expectations! We’ve been listening to the back catalogue of CD’s all year and the whole family has fallen in love with them.

My folks came down from Sydney to join us and we attended 3 shows in total. (The photos are from the final show on Sunday October 14th). The first event was the opening night at Federation Square, which was unfortunately accompanied by lovely rainy Melbourne weather. Eloise enjoyed the afternoon soundcheck and then dancing in the rain at the 6pm show. My Dad was absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to hear Dan’s rendition of Boonaroo.

For the weekend shows The Arts House Meat Market proved to be an awesome venue. I was a little apprehensive as the venue last year was so small and intimate, but my fears were quickly rested. It is an impressive space and the ambiance was immediate. As always Eloise enjoyed herself immensely. She insisted she take her uke (which Dan kindly signed after the show) and was adamant she wear her DZ Tee…..a Christmas pressie last year.

Dan was joined on stage by Father Goose (much to Miss E’s delight!), Sonia De Los Santos, Colin Brooks, John Foti, Saskia Sunshine Lane and Elena Moon Park. Such a formidable lineup of talented musicians, a real thrill to hear live. Like last year, Dan and the rest of the band were extremely generous with their time and stayed after the shows to chat to the audience and sign CDs.

It was an enjoyable and memorable experience for the entire family!

(photos © Rohan Durrant)