THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPRESSIONISM IN QUEEN’S HALL PARLIAMENT HOUSE

  

Artists with Ted Ballieu MLA and Gary Blackwood MP. 

Peter Biram, Leonie Ryan, Ted Ballieu MLA, Kerrie Warren, Werner Theinert, Ursula Theinert and Gary Blackwood MLA after the Launch of Environmental Expressionism.

Artists make an offical presentation in Queen’s Hall, Parliament House on Friday 5th of February 2010. Ted Ballieu MLA, Shadow Minister of the Arts officially launched the new art movement ‘Environmental Expressionism’.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPRESSIONISM

Peter Biram, Kerrie Warren, Leonie Ryan, Werner and Ursula Theinert have embraced the concept of ‘environmental expressionism’,sharing their individual visions and philosophies, in their touring exhibition, ‘Fields of View’. Peter Biram had the original concept of Environmental Expressionism in 2003, and then Kerrie Warren, Leonie Ryan, Werner and Ursula Theinert all came together to formalize the belief in this new art movement in 2008. 

Peter Biram giving his presentation of ‘Environmental Expressionism’, which he founded in 2003. 

Environmental Expressionism was formed to bring together like minded artists who feel strongly about the environment and who feel a need to focus their art into creating a greater awareness of the challenges of the current and future environmental concerns in order to stimulate discussion and deeper understanding of these complex issues. The formalization of this new art movement required a detailed manifesto of beliefs and aims to help clarify the basis of the movement and to convey the strength of feeling that the mediums in the arts were needed to create and facilitate environmental awareness in the community.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPRESSIONISM MANIFESTO (excerpts)

“The Environmental Expressionism Movement utilizes the arts to convey or express the conceptual content of the environment or in particular, relevant issues concerning the environment, paying particularly emphasis regarding the natural world”.

“The basis for the movement is to provide, create and therefore enhance a greater understanding and awareness of the environment through the arts.”

To find out more about Environmental Expressionism please go to:- www.environmentalexpressionism.com

Peter Biram and Kerrie Warren presenting thank you gifts to Ted Ballieu for his acknowledgement of ‘Fields of View’, opening the night and the official Launching of ‘Environmental Expressionism’.

Co-ordinating artist Leonie Ryan gave a presentation on ‘Fields of View’, a touring exhibition influenced by the Black Saturday Fires in 2009, before giving a more personal presentation about her own art installation and sculptures that are currently on tour.

Werner Theinert giving his presentation.

All the artists gave their own personal presentations touching on their experiences relating to Black Saturday as well as descriptions of their work and their art processes. Werner and I briefly outlined how the experiences of Black Saturday and the journey of our rebuild, recovery and meeting of so many wonderful people along the way has affected our art in our ‘Fire Series’. Indeed, the process of creating our art has helped us greatly in coming to terms with the aftermath.

Russell Broadbent MP, Federal Member for McMillan, also spoke on the night, along with Mr. Gary Blackwood MP, Member for Narracan, who has been a kind supporter of the artists and the MC for the evening.

The artists have also been supported by sponsor, GippsTafe, represented by Jim Vivien, David Bruce and Head of the Art Design and Media Department, Mr. Gary Dunbier.  Sponsor International Power/Mitsui Loy Yang B, were represented by Mr. & Mrs. Anthony & Megan Harper.

 

Kerrie Warren with Meagan and Anthony Harper, representing sponsor ‘International Power/Mitsui/Loy Yang B’.

 

‘Fields of View’ artists with David Bruce, Gary Dunbier and Jim Vivien representing the sponsor ‘GippsTafe’.

Matthew Cairns filmed the night. 

Werner and I met Matthew when he worked on a documentary ‘Touched by Fire’, which are personal stories from people affected by the Black Saturday fires.  Artist Steve Gray, also generously gave his time photographing the night for us (these are his images).  All the artists are grateful to both Matthew and Steve for their generous support.

Peter Biram holding the wonderful memorial sculpture made by his father, John Biram, for Werner and I, after Black Saturday.

John Biram has very kindly made a memorial sculpture for all the fire affected communities in Gippsland.  He bases his sculptures on the gathered molten aluminium ‘tears’ that flowed out of the destroyed buildings after that horrific day and night.

The tables and the guests in Queen’s Hall, Parliament House.

The night was a great success with 60 VIP guests being treated with gift bags and goodies, including a young tree to take home and plant, carefully wrapped in the ‘Environmental Expressionism’ manifesto to inspire ‘growth’ of the concept and ongoing life to the new arts movement.  We would like to thank everyone involved for their kindness and support in sharing this exciting night with us.